Ashley W. Brandt

Ashley counsels alcoholic beverage clients across the tiers including breweries, distilleries, wholesalers and retailers, and restaurants. He also represents dispensaries and growers in the evolving cannabis and hemp field.

In his role as outside counsel, Ashley advises on risk assessment and supply chain negotiations and contracts, drafts commercial contracts and licensing and software agreements, and helps clients navigate issues in advertising, information technology, and data privacy. He also represents them before regulatory agencies and advises them through litigation. Armed with a thorough understanding of their businesses and goals, Ashley presents clients with creative and effective techniques to help them grow and thrive.

In the food and beverage industry, Ashley represents and advises clients in contract negotiations, regulatory compliance, and advertising and licensing in state and federal courts and before governmental bodies, including the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau, and Federal Trade Commission, as well as state and local agencies and commissions. In supply-chain-related contract negotiations and litigation, he handles complex commercial transactions and the litigation of UCC matters.

Ashley assists clients in every aspect of their businesses, including entity formation, state and federal licensure and permitting, negotiating agreements with wholesalers and distributors, branding, trademarks and trade secrets, legal compliance, alt-prop and contract brewing agreements, financing, and equipment leasing and purchasing. He also counsels food and beverage importers on import-export issues and international sourcing, licensing, and food import compliance agreements. With a passion for the alcoholic beverages industry, Ashley regularly speaks and writes on the topic. He also publishes the Libation Law Blog, dedicated to legal issues in that sector.

Outside of the food and beverage industry, Ashley counsels clients across areas including construction, real estate, financial services, bankruptcy, and intellectual property.

Ashley and his spouse live in Evanston, Illinois, and enjoy traveling and keeping up with two children.