Today is national, “Be Kind to Lawyers Day.” Didn’t know that such a day existed?
We can see how you might overlook it – but we are grateful for our legal experts that help to sort out the dizzying legal system here in Massachusetts and ensure that our properties and trademarks are protected.
We recently did a Q&A with four of our associate members that also serve as a reference to the Mass Brewers Guild whenever we have a question or two -- Tawny L. Alvarez from Verrill Dana, John Connell, from the Law Offices of John P. Connell, John Moran from Bernstein Shur and Robert Young from Bowditch and Dewey. We asked them to weigh in on everything from who they’d love to have a beer with, to what they think is the most common, avoidable, legal mistake brewers make.
Check it out - (There’s no clock running … so soak up the free advice!) - and spread the love to your lawyer today who keeps you on the straight and arrow.
About Tawny Alvarez: Tawny centers her practice on the understanding that the employment landscape is ever-changing—from medical marijuana’s effect on drug testing, to the effect of social networking in the workplace and mobile devices’ effect on wage and hour issues. In this evolving landscape she recognizes that for companies to remain profitable and successful they must be proactive, as opposed to reactive, to these employment issues.
MBG: What’s the hardest part of dealing with Massachusetts’ alcohol laws?
T. Alvarez: "Brewers are applying increasingly creative solutions to create and deliver to consumers a quality product, yet many of the alcohol laws in MA—and other states—have failed to adapt to the changing marketplace. When you have a quickly developing and highly regulated market in which the regulations are antiquated, it sometimes makes it difficult to assist brewers in achieving the long-term goals they are looking for."
MBG: If you could create your own six pack, what would be in it?
T. Alvarez: “This week: Jack’s Abby Hoponius Union; Wachusett Blueberry Ale; Trillium Brewing Wild Broken Angel; Allagash Goulschip (why I’m craving pumpkin in spring is anyone’s guess); Flight Deck Brewing Rye Wing Porter; and Night Shift’s Pfaffenheck.”
MBG: If you could have a beer with anyone, who would it be and why?
T. Alvarez: “My favorite beer is always one with the brewer so that I can understand what their inspiration was for the brew. If I had to pick one person and why: President Barack Obama. I need to find out whether Bud Light is really his beer of choice.
About John Connell: Throughout his legal career, John has concentrated his practice in the area of civil litigation and licensing, particularly that area of licensing having to deal with alcoholic beverages, entertainment and professional licenses. John has represented individuals and businesses of all sizes in many areas of civil litigation, including contract matters, employment discrimination, real estate disputes, securities’ fraud, professional misconduct and corporate management disputes. With regard to clients in the alcoholic beverages industry, John represents alcoholic beverage wholesalers, brokers and retailers from all over Massachusetts
MBG: What do you think is the biggest misconception about lawyers?
J. Connell: “They exist to separate you from your money.”
MBG: If you could have a beer with anyone, who would it be and why?
J. Connell: “A Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, because they seem interesting.”
MBG: What’s the most common and avoidable legal mistake brewers make?
J. Connell: “Getting too far into a Lease or taking a site with a landlord who demonstrates he/she is unreasonable to begin with or failing to fully understand the site, and later finding there is no drainage; the ceilings are too low for tanks; no room for expansion; the tanks don't fit into the space or the basement; the loading dock is not for their exclusive use; not enough parking; no room for dumpsters; zoning does not permit pouring as a bar; zoning does not permit manufacturing; the triple net includes unreasonable common area improvement expenses, etc... Site selection and lease terms seem to be the most common issues brewers seem to wish they could come back and revisit after they are too far down the road to make necessary changes.”
About John Moran: John practices in all areas of business law, providing counsel and advice to a broad array of corporate clients on matters ranging from mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, intellectual property development and licensing, as well as general business and corporate matters. As a dedicated counselor, John provides his clients with thoughtful guidance through the ins and outs of starting and scaling a business in a rapidly changing and expanding industry.
MBG: What do you like about working with breweries?
J. Moran: “The people. I have found it very rewarding and worthwhile to work directly with various brewery owners whose primary goals are to produce great craft beer and also to operate a successful small business that takes care of its employees. It has also been very fulfilling to advise these brewery owners on starting and growing their own, distinct breweries – from the start-up phase to the development phase. The four-packs are awesome, too.”
MBG: What’s the hardest part of dealing with Massachusetts’ alcohol laws?
J. Moran: “The state liquor laws that touch on some of the most emerging trends in the craft beer industry are either non-existent or open to multiple interpretations. As a result, it is sometimes challenging to advise breweries on a particular issue when the state liquor laws do not provide much certainty or concrete guidance.”
MBG: What’s the most common and avoidable legal mistake brewers make?
J. Moran: “Not properly vetting and securing the brewery’s brand before beginning brewery operations. Once the brewery is up and running, it is very costly and challenging to undergo a complete rebrand.”
About Robert Young: Robert advises businesses, municipalities, educational institutions, and non-profit organizations on a broad range of employment matters. He defends these clients against a variety of claims, including discrimination and retaliation, non-competition, trade secrets, and wage-and-hour matters. He has litigated disputes in state and federal courts, as well as administrative agencies. He counsels clients in matters outside of litigation, including the negotiation of agreements, medical leaves, and accommodation requests, as well as employee discipline and termination matters. In addition, he conducts internal investigations on behalf of clients, including alleged harassment, whistleblower, and other employee claims.
MBG: What do you think is the biggest misconception about lawyers?
R. Young: “That, in the words of C. Montgomery Burns, we are all “vipers” who “live on pain and misery.” We’re nice people. Really.”
MBG: What do you like about working with breweries?
R. Young: "I find the passion, dedication and outright talent for brewing to be inspiring, and I have marveled at the entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen I have seen that allows the art of brewing to develop into a thriving enterprise.
I have also witnessed on several occasions what I would call “collaborative competiveness,” where experienced brewers have been willing to share their knowledge and experiences with others just starting out, even though they may someday compete for the same customers’ dollars. That spirit of helpfulness and cooperation is a refreshing change of pace from the cutthroat world of other industries. (And, if it leads to collaboration brews, all the better . . .) "
MBG: If you could create your own six pack, what would be in it?
R. Young: “What a great question. In no particular order:
- Anything made by Trillium that starts with the words “Double Dry Hopped” (or containing the words “with cold brewed coffee . . .”)
- Bean Porter by Night Shift (I had genuine difficulty deciding between this and Trifecta)
- Coffee Barrel-Aged Framinghammer by Jack’s Abby (though the Mole variant could also make its way in there)
- Big Ern by Castle Island (just edging out Candlepin and Keeper)
- Bottle Rocket by Wormtown Brewery (I also considered Be Hoppy, but felt like I needed one pale ale)
- Citra Legacy by Medusa (only barely edging out Indian Summer by Cold Harbor Brewing; I’m thinking that the rye in Citra Legacy would add a bit of change of pace to the other IPAs)
Did you notice how I was able to use the parentheticals to expand my six-pack? Lawyers . . . always looking for loopholes!”