Food, Beverage & Agribusiness

Shaping the future of food and beverage law

Entirely new opportunities are emerging for food and beverage businesses. But there are new risks too —from labeling and advertising litigation, to compliance with export controls and immigration reform. We take the bigger picture perspective with a unique and holistic industry focus—from farm to factory to table.

Nixon Peabody helps clients monetize their brands, navigate food safety laws, make profitable investments, protect human capital, anticipate legislative changes, embrace sustainability and globalize the supply chain.

Together with our clients, we are working to grow the successful food, beverage and agribusiness brands of the future.

We work with

Manufacturers of consumable goods—from the world’s leading premium wine company, to the largest bakery company in the U.S., to startup brands selling products at your local grocer. Many multi-generation, family-owned businesses.
Packaging and logistics—multinational packaging, processing and transportation businesses serving the food and beverage sectors
Agribusinesses—from an innovative dairy co-operative, to one of the world’s largest cooking oil producers
Retail—from the top large U.S. grocery chain, to online purveyors of food and beverage products
Franchises—from fast-casual restaurants to coffeehouse chains
Sources of capital—banks and funds across the capital structure—from mezzanine debt to venture capital to private equity—that invest in food, beverage and agribusiness companies

Media Clips

On High Alert: Running a Retail Business in the Age of the COVID Pandemic

Marijuana Venture | August 10, 2020

San Francisco partner Alison Torbitt, who co-leads NP’s Food, Beverage & Agribusiness team, and San Francisco Labor & Employment associate Hilary Baca co-wrote this contributed article on how cannabis retailers can revamp their stores and policies to stay in compliance with state and local laws, while helping to prevent the spread of communicable illnesses to customers and employees.

Constellation Sells Brandy, Wine Brands In 2 Deals For $385M

Law360 | June 25, 2020

This article mentions NP for representing Constellation Brands in the pending sale of its Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy brand and related assets to Sazerac Co. for approximately $255 million. The story notes Rochester Corporate partner Lori Green for her role leading the deal team, and also mentions Rochester Corporate partner Eric Tanck and associate Aya Hoffman.

‘Post-Chemical World’ Is Taking Shape as Agribusiness Goes Green

Bloomberg News | December 12, 2019

In this article about how agribusiness is shifting to sustainable alternatives, Boston Intellectual Property patent agent Nicole Kling provides commentary about increased agricultural patenting technology as researchers work to promote organic and non-GMO farming.

Constellation moves up-market with Gallo deal

The Deal | June 03, 2019

Nixon Peabody is mentioned in this article for the firm’s representation of longtime client Constellation Brands in its $1.7 billion sale of 30-plus wine and spirits brands to E. & J. Gallo Winery. When this transaction closes, it will go down in history as the world’s largest wine

Boston Beer merging with Dogfish Head in $300M deal

Boston Business Journal | May 09, 2019

In the following coverage, Nixon Peabody served as legal counsel to Boston Beer in a deal to acquire Dogfish Head Brewery, which will give the combined company a leading position in the high end of the U.S. beer market.

Constellation Brands/Canopy Growth Corp.

The American Lawyer | November 30, 2018

Nixon Peabody is mentioned as U.S. counsel for longtime client Constellation Brands in its acquisition of a 38 percent stake in Canopy Growth Corp., a Canadian distributor of cannabis products. The following attorneys were members of the deal team: Rochester Corporate partner Lori Green, Boston Global Finance partner Craig Mills, Washington, D.C. Corporate partner Lloyd Spencer, San Francisco Global Finance counsel Sarah Abel, Buffalo Global Finance associate Dan Fabian, Rochester Corporate associate Isaac Figueras, and Washington, D.C. Corporate associate Pierce Han.

Alum Ellie Altshuler is Ahead of the Curve

November 05, 2018

Los Angeles Corporate partner Ellie Altshuler is featured in this Loyola Law School article on the path she took to becoming the go-to lawyer for YouTube content creators and social media influencers seeking to expand their brand.

According to a recent study/survey … End-of-August 2018 edition

Modern Restaurant Management | August 29, 2018

This end-of-month roundup of top restaurant news includes highlights from Nixon Peabody’s Food, Beverage & Agriculture team’s quarterly Crystal Ball outlook report. Boston Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy partner Lee Harrington, Los Angeles Corporate partner Ellie Altshuler, Rochester Corporate partner Tyler Savage, and Buffalo Complex Commercial Disputes associate Tracey Scarpello are quoted.

Top 40 under 40

Los Angeles Daily Journal | June 24, 2018

Los Angeles corporate partner Ellie Altshuler was named as one of the top 40 attorneys in California under the age of 40 by the Los Angeles Daily Journal.

Food And Beverage Industry Growing with Fresh Ideas

Rochester Business Journal | February 15, 2018

Rochester private equity and investment funds partner Jeremy Wolk explains our firm’s outlook on the food and beverage industry, including five trends he expects to see in 2018 and beyond. Several attorneys from the Food, Beverage and Agriculture team contributed information to the alert on which this article is based.