Michael B. Newman Named Partner at Holland & Knight
San Francisco – Holland & Knight announced today that Michael Brill Newman has joined the firm’s San Francisco office as a partner concentrating on Alcohol Beverage law.
Newman’s practice includes counseling alcohol beverage industry clients, including California and Washington wineries, on national and international regulatory, contract and licensing matters and distributor relations, and representing clients on matters before the federal Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and State Board of Equalization, and other state alcoholic beverage agencies.
“Michael brings extensive knowledge of the alcohol beverage industry to our firm, and will play an integral role in linking our practice’s operations from the east to the west coast,” said Richard M. Blau, partner and Alcohol Beverage Team leader at Holland & Knight. “His experience in handling regulatory and licensing matters, and developing relationships with key industry leaders, will be a tremendous asset for our clients as we continue to expand our presence in this field.”
Newman’s arrival represents the fourth significant addition to Holland & Knight’s Alcohol Beverage practice in less than a year. Thomas Busey, formerly with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the U.S. Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), left government service in 2003 to join Holland & Knight as a consultant in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Busey was followed by Kevin Montler, an attorney based in the firm's Seattle office, and Manuel Espinoza, a consultant in the firm’s San Francisco office and former head of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
“We have assembled a unique clearinghouse of knowledge and experience that is focused on the future of the Alcohol Beverage industry, and Michael Newman is a key member of that team,” added Blau. “The lawyers and consultants comprising our Alcohol group are an unrivaled pool of experienced talent, proficient in all facets of alcohol beverage law. Together, we are the next generation of service providers for this heavily regulated and highly specialized industry.”
Holland & Knight’s Alcohol Beverage Team features a broad range of lawyers and other professionals focusing on the manufacture, distribution, retail sale and consumption of licensed beverages. The firm’s professionals have experience representing clients in all segments and at all levels of the American three-tiered system, as well as international experience with licensed beverage importers and exporters.
Newman joins Holland & Knight from Buchman & O’Brien, LLP, where he oversaw that firm's San Francisco office. He graduated from Williams College in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in history and received his J.D. from Fordham University Law School in 1981. He is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco, State Bar of California (member, Antitrust and Trade Regulation Law Committee); New York State Bar Association; District of Columbia Bar; International Wine Lawyers Association; Wine Institute Public Policy Committee; and Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys.
Newman also is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. He frequently lectures on compliance and other alcoholic beverage regulatory matters to clients and other alcohol beverage industry members.