Wendel Rosen represent clients in the food and beverage, alcohol beverages, restaurant and hospitality industries. Our food and beverage clients include multinational corporations, foreign companies selling to the U.S. market, closely-held businesses and high growth, venture capital backed businesses. Our restaurant and café clients range from single location businesses to nationwide chains. We draw upon our years of industry experience to solve legal issues in every facet of our clients’ businesses, whether they be corporate transactions, regulatory counseling, or litigation and dispute resolution. Combining deep experience, broad insight, and close relationships, Wendel Rosen offers food and beverage clients comprehensive guidance for long-term success.
Corporate Guidance
Regardless of their industry focus, clients turn to us for corporate guidance due to our deep experience with entity formation, intellectual property, human resource management, corporate governance, raising capital, and liquidity events. We also assist with specialized industry agreements, including agreements for contract manufacturing, supply, processing, warehousing, brokerage, and distribution.
Regulatory Compliance
We provide guidance on regulations and statutes pertaining to food and beverage quality and safety, labeling, and advertising. We are well versed in federal laws (e.g., the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Food Safety Modernization Act, the National Organic Program, the Pure Food and Drug Act, and the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act) and state laws governing food and beverages and alcoholic beverages. Our experience with the FDA, USDA, EPA, and the FTC and their state agency counterparts helps us guide clients to success.
Business Protection
We know that our clients’ success depends on their ability to mitigate risk and resolve disputes before they turn into bigger challenges. We offer litigation support for business disputes and class action litigation. Our skilled litigators partner with our clients to defend them from employment, Prop 65, labeling, advertising, intellectual property, product liability, and contractual claims. We singularly focus on efficiently resolving litigation and minimizing its effect on our clients’ businesses.
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Represented leading craft brewery as plaintiff in trademark infringement action in federal district court; obtained consent permanent injunction and fees in action to enforce injunction.
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Represented the manufacturer of natural organic fruit snacks in its acquisition by a leading national natural foods company
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Represented the owners of a Napa County vineyard in negotiating a settlement of a Cleanup and Abatement Order in which the agency initially sought penalties and site restoration that could have cost the client several million dollars. The final resolution required only an off-site mitigation program, which cost the owners $15,000.
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Represented national food manufacturing company in office and industrial lease transactions across the country, as well as in the sale of industrial, warehouse and manufacturing facilities. Some purchasers continue to use facilities for existing uses while others redeveloped the properties for residential, commercial/retail and industrial projects.
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Defended CEQA and legal challenge brought by a citizen group related to Napa County’s approval of 360-acre vineyard development.
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Advised organic and fair trade food manufacturer in acquisition of North American trademark rights and worldwide trademark registration matters.
Publications

Update: Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants
04/15/2021 | Wendel Rosen LLP
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) was created to provide direct relief to restaurants and other foodservice venues affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] As the Small Business Association (SBA) has yet…
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Restaurant Revitalization Fund – COVID Relief For the Ready!
03/17/2021 | Wendel Rosen LLP
Help is on the way for restaurant owners who were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of…
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Update: FDA Signals Enforcement Will Not Be Used To Ensure Compliance With New Nutrition Facts Labeling Requirements — For Now
09/30/2020 | Wendel Rosen LLP
In May 2016, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) published final rules on the new labeling requirements for the Nutrition Facts label. The purpose of these updates was to…
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Board Review Bootcamp
10/08/2020 | Naturally Bay Area
On October 8, Naturally Bay Area presents Board Review Bootcamp, an interactive workshop and networking event for natural and organic industry leaders. During Board Review Bootcamp, participants will work in…
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CiderCon
01/28/2020 | American Cider Association
Wendel Rosen is pleased to sponsor CiderCon Tuesday, January 28 – Friday, January 31. Join us in exploring the delicious universe of Central California Cider. Explore local orchards, indulge in…
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California Craft Brewers Association Fall Conference
11/05/2017 | California Craft Brewers Association
Wendel Rosen is pleased to sponsor the California Craft Brewers Conference hosted by the CCBA, which will be held November 5, 2017 – November 7, 2017 at the Double Tree…
Full ArticleDate | Category | Host | Title |
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10/22/2017 | Seminar | Food Craft Institute | Starting Your Own Craft Brewery: Business & Legal Considerations |
05/23/2017 | Seminar | California Craft Brewers Association | Know Your ABC’s Seminar |
05/22/2017 | Seminar | California Craft Brewers Association | Expert-Is-In Session (ABC Issues) |
02/13/2017 | Seminar | Bavarian Breweries & Distilleries | So You Want to be A Distiller: Licensing, Labeling and Reporting Requirements |
11/14/2016 | Seminar | California Craft Brewers Association | The Expert Is In (ABC Issues) |
11/13/2016 | Sponsorship | California Craft Brewers Association | California Craft Brewers Conference |
10/29/2016 | Seminar | Food Craft Institute | Legal Tips for Craft Breweries |
09/18/2016 | Seminar | Bavarian Breweries & Distilleries | So You Want to be A Distiller: Licensing, Labeling and Reporting Requirements |
06/06/2016 | Seminar | Bavarian Breweries & Distilleries | So You Want to be A Distiller: Licensing, Labeling and Reporting Requirements |
05/03/2016 | Seminar | Brewers Association's Craft Brewers Conference | Top Ten Legal Tips for Craft Breweries |
01/22/2016 | Sponsorship | San Francisco Brewers Guild | SF Beer Week 2016 |
10/25/2015 | Seminar | Food Craft Institute | The Business of Beer: Legal Issues |
10/15/2015 | Seminar | The Bar Association of San Francisco | Brewery Law Basics |
04/03/2014 | Seminar | Brewers Association's Craft Brewers Conference | Trademark Law: Picking, Protecting and Policing Your Brands |
11/12/2013 | Seminar | Sonoma County Beer, Cider & Spirits Conference | Financing and Resources for the Sonoma Artisan Community |
02/17/2013 | Sponsorship | SF Beer Week | Celebrator Beer News’ 25th Anniversary Brewers’ Party |
News

Sargento Cheese Faces Litigation for Its ‘No Antibiotics’ Claim – Bill Acevedo Provides Legal Insight on the Lawsuit
01/28/2021 | Food Navigator USA
In an article by Food Navigator USA, Partner Bill Acevedo comments on the recent legal challenges leveled against Sargento Foods and the “no antibiotics” claim used on many of its’ product…
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Partner Bill Acevedo Highlights Potential Hurdles for the Food and Beverage Industry in 2021
12/22/2020 | Wendel Rosen LLP
Food Navigator-USA published an article on December 21, 2020 about the outlook of the food and beverage industry in 2021. They sought information from food and beverage attorneys, including Wendel Rosen…
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Feeling Thankful This Thanksgiving: FDA Expresses Gratitude for Our Food and Agriculture Workers
11/25/2020 | Wendel Rosen LLP
It’s been a trying year for all, and this Thanksgiving many may just be feeling grateful that the end of 2020 is in sight. While we heed the urgent requests…
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