Theodore J. Zeller III has extensive experience in liquor law, regulatory licensing, commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and litigation.
Chair of the firm’s Liquor Law Practice Group, Ted was lead counsel in a beer rights case brought against the world’s largest brewers and is now General Counsel to D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.
Ted’s lobbying efforts helped change various laws under the Pennsylvania Liquor Code. In 2010, Ted testified before the Senate Law and Justice Committee on behalf of Yuengling Brewery concerning House Bill 291, which addresses the distribution of brewed beverages in Pennsylvania.
In 2011, Ted authored portions of two different bills that were enacted into law. The bills helped small brewers by allowing more efficient and cost effective brand registration, as well as altered the package laws for brewery licenses. He also appeared before the House Liquor Committee with the Brewers of Pennsylvania in the Privatization Hearings. Most recently, his efforts helped change brewery regulations to allow for taprooms and he authored the Malt Beverage Tax Excise Credit legislation. Further, he has written extensively about Acts 39 and 166.
Ted counsels clients on the acquisition of liquor licenses and coordinates liquor license transactions with other practice areas, such as real estate, business law, financing, tax law, intellectual property, and litigation. Known throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he also represents beer interests on a national level and advises breweries and wholesalers on state regulatory matters involving beer distribution and franchise laws. He regularly prepares distribution agreements for his clients and coordinates state and federal licensing for manufacturing and national distribution.
Ted has tried multiple cases in county and federal court, including jury trials, and hundreds of cases before arbitration panels, district justices, and administrative law judges. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Cider Guild and is General Counsel to the Brewers of Pennsylvania and represents alcohol interests in every category. Ted has helped numerous start-up breweries, wineries, distilleries, and retailers.
Ted was named a 2019 Pennsylvania Trailblazer by The Legal Intelligencer and made a cameo appearance in “Undercover Billionaire,” Episode 1 -2, as himself giving advice on how to build a brewery.
Ted Zeller Named Pennsylvania Trailblazer
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
Theodore J. Zeller III to Present Webinar for Philadelphia Small Business Administration
Theodore J. Zeller III to Participate in Chefs Cycle for No Kid Hungry
Theodore J. Zeller to Speak at PBI’s Alcohol Law Program
Ted Zeller to Speak at Brewers of Pennsylvania 2nd Annual Mid Atlantic Brewers’ Symposium
Zeller to Speak to Northampton and Lehigh Valley E License Holders
Zeller to Host Legal Q&A at Brewers of Pennsylvania Annual Meeting
New Craft Beverage Tastes Run Afoul of Distribution Laws
State of Craft Beer in PA: How Long Before the Suds Explosion Goes Flat?
Brewers Get a Reprieve With Excise Tax Extension
COMMON SENSE LIQUOR LAW CHANGES WHICH SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES
See MorePennsylvania’s COVID Christmas Closure 2020
Promising Court Opinions in First Wave of COVID Insurance Loss Claims for Restaurants
New Jersey Restrictions Return for Bars and Restaurants as COVID-19 Cases Increase
Pennsylvania COVID-19 Restaurant Restrictions Remain Fluid
One Step Forward, One Step Back: PA Gov Dances Around COVID Rules for Restaurants
COVID-19 Brings Consumer Convenience to Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Taproom and Restaurant Guide to Reopening
Your State Store Won’t but Your Local Breweries Will
TTB Steps Up Amid Crisis—Postpones Excise Tax Filing and Payment Dates
Brewery Operations Can Remain Open: A Coronavirus Update
Grocery and Convenience Stores’ Beer and Wine Sales: A Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Coronavirus Survival Kit for Breweries and Restaurants
TTB Ramping Up Enforcement Through Internet and Social Media Investigations
Breaking News: New Tax on Pennsylvania Brewery Sales Goes into Effect October 1, 2019
Raise a Glass: Pennsylvania Breweries Avoid Excessive Sales Tax Under New Law
Pennsylvania New Distributor Packages, Slushies, and Food Health Safety Considerations
Important Brewery Sales Tax Update
Pennsylvania Beers Triumph at Great American Beer Festival
Surprise – Your Liquor License Can Be Suspended
Pennsylvania’s Sales Tax Money Grab on Breweries
Silly Dilly, Drink up Philly: How ABI can buy Eagles’ fans a Bud Light
Brewery Keg Purchases Exempt from Sales Tax
Auction Over: The Results are in for the Third Zombie License Auction
Pennsylvania’s Malt Beverage Tax Credit to Take Effect in July
Ted Zeller quoted in The Philadelphia Inquirer
Direct Brewery Sales Exempt from Franchise Laws
What Do You Need to Know? A Checklist for Restaurants and Breweries
The Force Strikes Back: Pa.L.C.B. Now Approves of the Planogram
PLCB+ and 2017 License Renewals
Pa.L.C.B. Releases Summary of Act 166 of 2016
The Planogram – The Future of Bad Beer
Off Premises Catering Permits Updated Under Act 39
Pennsylvania Tap Marker Requirements Pulled Under Act 166
House and Senate Pass HB-1196 – More Than Just a Fix-It Bill to Act 39
2nd Annual Mid Atlantic Brewers’ Symposium
Morning Call Reports on Act 39 in “Sell just beer, or wine and liquor too?”
Ted Zeller quoted in “6 ways PA’s new liquor law affects brewers”
New Pennsylvania HB 1690: The Cidery Dilemma
New Pennsylvania Liquor Code Changes (HB 1690) About Choices
The Prisoner: The Pennsylvania Six Pack
Temporary Alcohol Permit Options in Pennsylvania
Is there a such thing as too much craft beer?
Welcome to NMM’s Liquor Law Blog!
See MoreTheodore J. Zeller has earned the Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished status. 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.