Matthew B. Andersen concentrates his practice on business law and liquor law.
In his liquor law practice, Matt works with all tiers of the alcohol industry, advising manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers. Matt assists breweries, distilleries, wineries, wholesalers, distributors, restaurants, and hotels on obtaining and transferring liquor licenses, obtaining state and federal manufacturing permits and licensing, complying with federal/state liquor regulations and laws, providing transactional counseling, and defending citations and protests before the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. He is experienced in drafting and negotiating distribution agreements between alcohol manufacturers and distributors to assist manufacturers in expanding the reach of their brands. Additionally, Matt has worked with nonprofit organizations and event planners on obtaining temporary alcohol permits for various events. Matt takes pride in helping new and veteran alcohol businesses navigate the complex regulatory framework of state and federal liquor laws, as well as helping them establish and grow their brands on a state and national level. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Cider Guild.
Matt has presented at numerous events held by the Brewers of Pennsylvania trade organization on subjects such as U.S. Food and Drug Administration compliance for alcohol manufacturers, legal updates affecting the industry members, and general compliance. Additionally, he has presented to a local and national audience on Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Federal laws affecting brewery and distillery businesses. In addition to presentations, Matt is a frequent contributor to Norris McLaughlin’s Liquor Law Blog, Legal Liquor, and has been quoted by various newspapers and publications on liquor-related matters.
As a business lawyer, Matt is involved in the day-to-day legal counseling of businesses, formation of business entities, general contract matters, drafting of agreements between partners, corporate restructurings, lending, and shareholder disputes. Additionally, he has experience to assist his business and liquor clients in real estate matters, such as property acquisition, leasing, and zoning and land use issues.
Matt’s liquor law and business law practices often coincide in the legal counseling of start-up businesses entering the alcohol industry. He frequently advises clients from the idea stage to the operational stage of their alcohol business and is well versed in discussing the issues that come up in between. Whether it is, among other things, entity selection, drafting operational business documents, lease review, real estate acquisitions, zoning issues and alcohol licensing/permitting, he can assist you in turning your ideas into a successful business. Matt takes great pleasure in assisting dreamers, no matter what age, in preparing their business for future success.
While at Duquesne University School of Law, Matt was Executive Editor of the Business Law Journal, Editor-in-Chief of Juris Magazine, and Competition Director of the Appellate Moot Court Board. He also served as a judicial extern in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, and as a judicial intern for the President Judge of Northampton County Court of Common Pleas.
Prior to joining the firm in 2016, Matt served as law clerk to the Honorable Stephen G. Baratta, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, and was a summer associate at the firm in 2014.
As a young professional, Matt feels it is important to give back to the community. He is an assistant lacrosse coach at Northwestern Lehigh High School, and enjoys teaching the knowledge, experience and lessons taught to him throughout his life to the young people in our community.
Three Norris McLaughlin Attorneys Named Among Pennsylvania Rising Stars
Ted Zeller and Matt Andersen to Present at Brewers of PA Mid Atlantic Brewers Symposium
Norris McLaughlin Attorneys to Speak on Brewery and Distillery Law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Norris McLaughlin to Present at Mid Atlantic Brewers Symposium
JD Supra Recognizes Norris McLaughlin, P.A. in “2018 Readers’ Choice Awards”
Andersen Named to Board of Directors for Easter Seals of Eastern Pennsylvania
Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Welcomes Associate to Pennsylvania Office
Limited Liability Companies: Important Considerations to Make from Beginning (Part 2)
Limited Liability Companies: Easy to Set-Up and Worth it to Protect You and Your Business (Part 1)
Congratulations to LVEDC for Winning the ‘Excellence in Development Finance Program’ Award
See MoreCOVID-19 Brings Consumer Convenience to Pennsylvania
New PLCB Guidance on Governor Wolf’s “Meal” Requirement Leaves Much to the Imagination
Governor Wolf Signs Bill to Allow Mixed Drinks To-Go for Restaurant and Hotel Licensees
Your State Store Won’t but Your Local Breweries Will
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update for Pennsylvania Food and Beverage Businesses
Alcoholic Cider and Fermented Fruit Beverages – The Conflict Between Federal and Pennsylvania Law
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Announces Tenth Zombie Restaurant Liquor License Auction
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Tackles Wine Slushie Sales by Restaurant Licensees
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Puts Brakes on Convenience Store Plans
PA Wineries to the PLCB: Is it Legal to Offer Volume Discounts?
PLCB Announces Ninth Restaurant Liquor License Auction
How to Prepare Your Brewery for an FDA Inspection
Pa.L.C.B. Announces Eighth Restaurant Liquor License Auction
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s Seventh Restaurant License Auction: Winners and Losers
Malt Beverage Slushies: New Sales Privilege for Distributors or a Loose Definition of Growler?
Pa.L.C.B. Announces Sixth Restaurant Liquor License Auction
Pa.L.C.B. Announces Fifth Restaurant Liquor License Auction Under Act 39 of 2016
Silly Dilly, Drink up Philly: How ABI can buy Eagles’ fans a Bud Light
New PA Driver’s Licenses and Photo ID Cards
How Can a Brewery Produce Hard Cider? – Part 1: TTB Permitting
Pa.L.C.B. Issues Guidance on Decorative Bottles in a Licensed Establishment
Consumer Purchases at Distributor Not Subject to Territorial Limitations
Pa.L.C.B. Announces Fourth Restaurant Liquor License Auction Under Act 39 of 2016
Pa.L.C.B. Changes Procedure on Brand Registration for Breweries
The Brewers Association Releases the Independent Craft Brewer Seal
RAMP Certification Requirements: Expanded Enforcement Looming
Brewery Storage Fermentation Rules
Pa.L.C.B. Announces Third Restaurant Liquor License Auction Under Act 39 of 2016
Pennsylvania Zombie Liquor License Auction: Keys to Making a Successful Bid
New Beer Reporting Requirement Form Released
PBI Presentation Recap: Key Features of Beer Distribution Agreements
New PA Beer Reporting Requirements Still Fluid
Pa.L.C.B. Opinion Allows Brewery Storage Locations to Sell Wine and Spirits and More
Pa.L.C.B. Announces Second Restaurant Liquor License Auction Under Act 39 of 2016
Has Pennsylvania’s New Liquor Legislation Made Brew Pub Licenses Obsolete?
The TTB Eliminates Bond Requirement for Smaller Breweries, Distilleries and Wineries
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Releases Guidance for Licensees Looking to Sell Wine-to-Go
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Announces First License Auction
RAMP Under Act 39 of 2016: Who is Required to Complete Server/Seller Training
The Do’s and Don’ts of Growler Labeling
See MoreMatthew B. Andersen was selected to the 2020 Rising Stars Super Lawyers list. The Super Lawyers List is issued by Thompson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey
Matthew B. Andersen was selected to the JD Supra 2018 Readers Choice Awards list. A description of the selection methodology can be found here.