Matthew B. Andersen

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.