Skip to content

Guiding alcohol, food and cannabis businesses through regulatory complexities

A collage of three different images spanning from prohibition to present day

About The Danow Group

Tailored legal support for the alcohol, food and cannabis industries

The Danow Group offers comprehensive legal counsel to all segments of the beverage alcohol industry. Our legal team helps clients secure essential federal permits and state licenses and navigate the complexities of federal and state regulations.
Diverse group of smiling businesspeople discussing paperwork together during a meeting around a table in a modern office

Corporate

The Danow Group helps its clients select the proper type of entity (partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, c-corporation, s-corporation, non-profit entity, etc.). We assist with the formation of the entities and the preparation of documents to properly authorize transactions. Shareholders' Agreements and Operating Agreements require extra attention when dealing with a regulated industry.
Female factory expert controlling wine production in alcohol beverage bottling plant.

Compliance and Due Diligence

The Danow Group helps sports, entertainment and similar venues understand and comply with federal and state tied-house laws enabling them to take advantage of sponsorship opportunities. We also assist clients who are considering purchasing existing licensed entities with their due diligence audits.
Businesspeople at a bar drinking coffee.

Licensing

The Danow Group is well-versed in the intricacies of state and federal licensing.
Asian business woman shaking hand with men company manager or CE

Transactions

The Danow Group assists clients as they navigate the complexities added to commercial transactions by federal and state licensing laws and regulations.
Modern office building in the evening

Real Estate

The potential regulatory impact of alcohol and cannabis regulation on real estate transactions cannot be overstated. Whether viewing the matter from the point of view of the landlord, tenant, seller or purchaser, there are significant dangers for the uninformed and unwary.
Businessman in suit in his office showing an insurance policy an

Wills, Trusts & Estates

Crafting a comprehensive succession plan for holders of licensed businesses demands a nuanced understanding of regulatory requirements and licensing qualifications.

People

Comprehensive assistance from our advisory team

The Danow Group assigns one or more attorneys and paralegals to each client. This unique “advisory team” strategy helps optimize success and mitigate associated risks.
Keven Danow

Keven Danow

Founding and Senior Partner
Read bio
William R. McMullan

William R. McMullan

Founding, Senior and Managing Partner
Read bio
Barbara Kwon

Barbara Kwon

Partner
Read bio
Calum d'Oelsnitz

Calum d’Oelsnitz

Associate
Read bio

Latest News

Stay informed on the critical current issues impacting the beverage alcohol industry

New York Creates For-Profit Club Liquor License: A7040-B Signed Into Law

On August 22, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed Assembly Bill A7040-B, creating a new liquor license category for for-profit membership clubs. The law, which takes effect on February 18, 2026, represents a long-awaited update to New York’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. Historically, only not-for-profit clubs—such as fraternal organizations or benevolent associations—could obtain a club license […]

Storefront with cannabis leaf graphic and text advertising licensed sales.

Too Close For Comfort

Recently the State Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”) notified 152 cannabis dispensaries and applicants that the location of their businesses were too close to a school or house of worship to qualify for a license. New York Cannabis Law §72(6) provides, “No cannabis retail licensee shall locate a storefront within five hundred feet of a school grounds as such […]

Woman selecting a bottle from shelves in a liquor store.

Wine Products Are Something Else

There seems to be a great deal of confusion surrounding the concept of wine products. In New York, “wine product” is a term of art that must be distinguished from “Wine”, “low alcohol wine”, and “wine specialty items.” Pursuant to §3 (36) of New York’s ABC Law, “Wine” means the product of the normal alcoholic […]