Richard M. Blau

Richard Blau represents supplier, wholesaler, and retailer licensees across the U.S. in heavily regulated industries, including alcohol beverages, food, and cannabis. His experience encompasses federal and state trade law compliance; responsible vendor and employee training; trade regulation; administrative proceedings; and litigation and dispute resolution. An industry trailblazer who works with all three tiers of the alcohol beverage industry, he effectively helps clients untangle the complex web of federal, state, and local rules and regulations that govern the production, importation, marketing, sale, and consumption of beer, wine, distilled spirits, and other licensed beverages, including the recent product phenomenon of hemp beverages.

With more than 40 years of experience as a trial attorney focused on alcohol beverage, food, and cannabis regulation, Richard has represented international suppliers and domestic manufacturers; importers and exporters; statewide wholesalers and their trade associations; and retailers across the nation, including national and regional multilocation chain licensees such as restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores, and hotels.

Through a track record of successful litigation outcomes, Richard has set some of the most important industry precedents in alcohol beverage regulation, including imposing constitutional limits on the application of a statutory beer franchise law and defining “brand extension” under Florida’s Beverage Law. In addition, he represents clients before the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), as well as state alcohol regulatory agencies in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. His experience includes testifying as an expert witness in both judicial and legislative proceedings, as well as working with state and federal lawmakers to draft proposed legislation and administrative rules on behalf of both clients and regulators. Richard’s breadth of experience is evidenced by the fact that he is the only attorney in the U.S. to be ranked Band 1, National, by Chambers & Partners in the Food and Beverage – Alcohol category.

In food law, Richard helps clients with all facets of such a highly regulated and constantly evolving industry, ensuring producers, importers, processors, distributors, and retailers can confidently and efficiently tackle the many labeling, compliance, and liability challenges that arise. His experience includes supporting food and beverage manufacturers through product recalls and market withdrawals, as well as representing food industry producers in compliance negotiations with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Richard’s work in cannabis law centers on federal and Florida law compliance. His experience includes representing applicants seeking to acquire a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) license from the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), as well as investors seeking to acquire an MMTC license from existing licensees. Beyond marijuana, Richard consults regularly with hemp industry members regarding licensure, labeling, marketing, and related compliance issues for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of hemp products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD).

Richard has testified before governmental bodies, including the New York State Assembly, regarding alcohol laws and related issues. Specific notable experience includes counseling legislators of Hawaii on the effects of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision impacting the direct shipment of wine and testifying before legislative committees of both the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives regarding related issues. A renowned industry thought leader, he regularly addresses industry regulators on 21st Amendment issues as a featured speaker at annual conferences for the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, and National Liquor Law Enforcement Association.