Norris McLaughlin Attorneys to Speak on Brewery and Distillery Law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Theodore J. Zeller III, and Danielle M. DeFilippis, attorneys of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will present “Brewery and Distillery Law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey” at a training seminar hosted by the National Business Institute on Thursday, June 6, 9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., at Homewood Suites by Hilton in Valley Forge.

The speakers will present ways to help clients understand the complex world of alcohol manufacturing and distribution; minimize liability; and navigate the licensing, labeling and tax reporting challenges along the way. They will also discuss how to effectively protect client's intellectual property, avoid legal landmines in advertising, and give valuable tips for negotiating distribution agreements. Topics include brewery and distillery business entity selection, formation, finance and insurance; licensing, labeling, and regulatory compliance; federal and state tax reporting requirements; negotiating/drafting brewery and distillery contracts; intellectual property and advertising; and ethics. For more information and to register, please click here.

Zeller, a Member of the firm and Chair of its Liquor Law Practice Group, is experienced in liquor law, regulatory licensing, commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and litigation. He was lead counsel in a beer rights case brought against the world’s largest brewers and is General Counsel to Brewers of Pennsylvania.  Known throughout 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. Zeller 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 General Counsel to D.G. Yuengling and Son, Inc.; represents alcohol interests in every category; and has helped numerous start-up breweries, wineries, distilleries, and retailers.  He currently serves as Chairman of the Allentown Parking Authority. Zeller is an author of the firm’s liquor law blog, Legal Liquor. He earned his J.D. from Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law, and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

DeFilippis, a Member of the firm and Co-Chair of its Intellectual Property Law Practice Group, focuses her practice on intellectual property prosecution and litigation. She represents individual and corporate clients in all phases of litigation, from commencement through trial, and regularly serves as lead counsel in cases before federal and state courts, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and alternative resolution forums. She has represented clients in a variety of industries, most notably food and beverage, liquor, jewelry, and cosmetics. She has handled cases involving trademark and copyright infringement, false advertising, commercial disparagement, business torts, deceptive trade practices, Lanham Act claims, state and federal unfair competition laws, and other business disputes.  She is an author of the firm’s trademark, copyright, and unfair competition blog, More Than Your Ma®k.  DeFilippis received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and her B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University.