DC, MD, VA ABC Licensing

Washington, DC & VA ABRA Lawyers

Lehrman Beverage Law’s State Practice Group handles ABRA and ABC license issues in Washington, D.C. With significant experience before the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (“ABRA”), our State Practice Group handles Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) issues, including:

1. initial ABC licensing and business consultation;
2. required compliance with other local government agencies;
3. representation before the ABC Board in case of violations; and
4. counsel for record keeping and reporting.

Our State Practice Group includes several experienced professionals expert in D.C. ABC Law. Our lawyers successfully help retail, wholesale, and producer clients secure the necessary licenses and permits required to lawfully and profitably conduct business in the District. Our attorneys help clients in various business, contract, property, and tax matters related to ABC compliance. Whether you are just starting out, are expanding into D.C., or need guidance on complying with the complex rules and regulations, Lehrman Beverage Law is ready to assist you.

Our State Practice Group can assist you with:

• ABRA Licenses, including:
  • Manufacturer Class A, B, and C Licenses for wineries, distilleries, breweries, cideries, and bakeries;
  • Wholesaler Class A and B Licenses for alcohol beverage distribution; Off-Premises Retailer’s Class A and B Licenses for retailers selling alcohol beverages;
  • On-Premises Retailer’s Class C and D Licenses for restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, hotels, multipurpose facilities;
  • Club Licenses, Common Carrier licenses, Temporary Licenses, Festival Licenses, ABC Manager’s Licenses, Solicitor’s Licenses, Arena Licenses, Caterer’s Licenses, Pub Crawls, Online Retailer Licenses, Farmer’s Market Licenses, and Farm Winery Retail Licenses
• ABRA Endorsements and Permits, including:
  • Entertainment Endorsements, Summer Garden or Sidewalk Cafe Endorsements, Tasting Permits, Brew Pub Permits, Wine Pub Permits, Distillery Pub Permits, Manufacturer’s On-Site Sales and Consumption Permits, Growler Permits, One Day Substantial Change Requests, Importation Permits, Pool Buying Groups, Disposal Permits, Alcohol Certification Provider Permits, Nonprofit Corporation Auction Permits, Auction Permits, Storage Facility Permits, Off-Premises Storage Permits, and Wine and Beer Purchasing Permits
• Business entity formation
• ABRA license renewals and amendments
• Buying, selling, and transferring of DC ABC licenses
• Trade name registration and renewal
• DC excise and alcohol beverage taxes
• Counsel for franchise distribution agreements between wholesalers and producers
• Settlement agreements with local Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (“ANCs”)
• Representation against ABC license protests
• Representation before the DC ABC Board for License/Permit violations
• Appeals from DC ABC Board decisions
• ABRA license reporting, including: Quarterly Statements and Annual Reports
• ABC license safekeeping
• Compliance with the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (“DCRA”), the Office of Tax and Revenue (“OTR”), the Department of Health (“DOH”), District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department (“DC MPD”), District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) and all other necessary compliance

In many of these areas we provide flat and cost-effective fees, and we are happy to provide an initial consultation with no charge or obligation.

Maryland ABC

Lehrman Beverage Law’s State Practice Group handles ABC license issues in the state of Maryland. With experience with the Alcohol Tobacco & Tax Division of the Comptroller of Maryland and local county liquor control boards, our State Practice Group handles ABC issues, including:

1. initial ABC licensing and business consultation;
2. required compliance with other local agencies;
3. representation before the ABC Board in case of violations; and (4) counsel for record keeping and reporting.

Our State Practice Group includes several experienced professionals expert in MD ABC Law. We successfully help retail, wholesale, and producer clients secure the necessary licenses and permits at both the county and state level. Our attorneys assist clients in fields related to ABC compliance, including business, contract, property, and tax matters. Whether you are just starting out, are expanding into Maryland, or simply need guidance on complying with the local and state rules and regulations, Lehrman Beverage Law is ready to assist you.

Our State Practice Group can assist you with:

• Comptroller of Maryland Manufacturer’s Licenses, including:
  • Class 1 Distillery, Class 2 Rectifying, Class 3 Winery, Class 4 Limited Winery, Class 5 Brewery, Class 6 Pub-Brewery, Class 7 Micro-Brewery, Class 8 Farm Brewery, and Class 9 Limited Distillery
• Comptroller of Maryland Wholesaler’s Licenses, including:
  • Class 1 Beer, Wine & Liquor, Class 2 Wine and Liquor, Class 3 Beer and Wine, Class 4 Beer, Class 5 Wine, Class 6 Limited Wine, and Class 7 Limited Beer
• Comptroller of Maryland Permits, including:
  • Brewery Special Events, Brewery Off-Site, Direct Wine Shippers, Farmer’s Market, Import and Exports, Non-Resident Breweries, Non Beverages, Non-Resident Dealers, Non-Resident Winery, Non Storage Alcohol Awareness Instructors, Alcohol Awareness Programs, Common Carriers, Family Beer and Wine Facility, Individual Storage, Individual Transportation, Private Bulk Sales, Charity Wine Auctions, and Public Storage
• County Licenses for restaurants, bars, clubs, and other on- and off-sale licensees with the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control (“MCDLC”), The Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners, and other counties such as Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester
• Changes in License Location, Additional License Locations, Statewide Caterer’s Licenses, Beer Keg Registration
• Business entity formation
• ABC license renewals and amendments
• Resident Agent issues
• MD excise and alcohol beverage taxes
• Counsel for franchise distribution agreements between wholesalers and producers
• MD brand registration and product listing in Montgomery County
• Representation before the MD and County ABC boards for License/Permit violations
• Appeals from MD and County ABC board decisions
• MD ABC license reporting, including: Monthly Tax Returns, Monthly Sales Reports, and Annual License Reports
• Compliance with the Maryland Secretary of State (“SOS”), the Comptroller of Maryland, local zoning boards, local business licensing agencies, and Department of Health

In many of these areas we provide flat and cost-effective fees, and we are happy to provide an initial consultation with no charge or obligation.

Virginia ABC

Lehrman Beverage Law’s State Practice Group handles ABC issues in the Commonwealth of Virginia. With experience before with the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“VABC”) and the ABC Board, our State Practice Group handles ABC issues including:

1. initial ABC licensing and business consultation;
2. required compliance with other local government agencies;
3. representation before the ABC Board in case of violations; and
4. counsel for record keeping and reporting.

Our State Practice Group includes several experienced professionals expert in VA ABC Law. We successfully help clients at each tier of the industry–retail, wholesale, and production–secure the necessary licenses and permits required to lawfully and profitably conduct business in Virginia. Our attorneys assist clients in business, contract, property, and tax matters related to ABC compliance. Whether you are just starting out, are expanding into Virginia, or simply need guidance on complying with the complex rules and regulations, Lehrman Beverage Law is ready to assist you.

Our State Practice Group can assist you with:

• VABC Retail Licenses for:
  • Restaurants, hotels, stadiums, grocery stores, delicatessens, drug stores, gourmet shops, convenience stores, private clubs, resort complexes, hospitals, and caterers, including:
    • On-Premises Beer, Wine and Beer, Mixed Beverage, Limited Mixed Beverage, Caterer Mixed Beverage, Limited Caterer Mixed Beverage, Combined Restaurant/Caterer Mixed Beverage Licenses; Off-Premises Beer, Wine and Beer Licenses; On- and Off- Premises Beer, Wine and Beer Licenses; Specialized Licenses for Amphitheaters, Art Instruction Studios, Arts Venue Events, Banquets, Banquet Facilities, Bed and Breakfasts, Canal Boat Operators, Carriers, Day Spas, Equine Sport Events, Gourmet Oyster Houses, Meal Assembly Kitchens, Motor Car Sporting Events, Motor Sports Facilities, Motor Sports Race Tracks, Museums, Performing Arts Facilities, Beer Shippers, Wine Shippers, Wine and Beer Shippers, Special Events, Manufacturer’s Multi-Day Events, Tasting, Banquets, and Club Events
• VABC Industry Licenses for:
  • Breweries, cideries, wineries, distilleries, and wholesalers, including:
    • Beer Bottlers, Beer Importers, Beer Shippers, Beer Wholesalers, Breweries, Limited Breweries, Retail Off-Premises Breweries, Retail Off-Premises Limited Breweries, Distilleries, Fruit Distillers, Farm Wineries, Internet Wine Retailers, Wine and Beer Shippers, Wine Importers, Wine Shippers, Wine Wholesalers, Wineries, Retail Off-Premises Wineries, Fulfillment Warehouses, Gourmet Brewing Shops, and Marketing Portals
• VABC Permits, including:
  • Permits to Import Personal Alcohol, Keg Permits, In-State Delivery Permits, Out-of-State Delivery Permits, Continuation of Operations Permits, Solicitor Salesman Permits, Solicitor Tasting Permits, Grain Alcohol Permits, Permits to Purchase Alcohol and/or Alcoholic Beverages, Special Transportation Permits-Culinary Use, Special Transportation Permits-Industrial Alcohol, and Out of Bond Permits.
• Business entity formation
• VABC license renewals and amendments
• Trade name registration and renewal
• Virginia excise and alcohol beverage taxes
• Counsel for wine and beer franchise distribution agreements between wholesalers and producers
• Spirits Brand Listings and Presentations before the Products Management Committee (“PMC”)
• VABC brand registration and label approvals
• Representation before the VABC Hearing Board for License/Permit violations and brand termination hearings
• Appeals from VABC Board decisions
• VABC license reporting, including: Monthly Statements and Mixed Beverage Annual Reviews (“MBAR”)
• Compliance with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (“SCC”), Virginia Department of Taxation (“DOT”), local zoning boards, local business licensing agencies, Department of Health, and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (“VDACS”)

In many of these areas we provide flat and cost-effective fees, and we are happy to provide an initial consultation with no charge or obligation.