If you are facing a licensing, permitting, or enforcement issue, early strategic guidance can materially affect the outcome.

Law Office of Kimberly S. Courtney

Food and Liquor Law

Strategic licensing, permitting, and regulatory defense for restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hospitality groups, and individual license holders in New York, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.

With more than 25 years as an attorney, I help operators navigate liquor boards, health departments, and zoning authorities with clarity and precision. I am not just a permit processor. I am a strategic advisor when the stakes are real.

Strategy Consultations Available

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Experience Matters in Discretionary Systems

Food and liquor regulation is discretionary by design. Outcomes often turn on preparation, credibility, and understanding how agencies actually make decisions.

I advise and represent clients on:

  • Liquor licensing and temporary permits

  • Food and health department permits

  • Disciplinary actions and administrative hearings

  • Suspensions and revocations

  • Zoning issues affecting hospitality businesses

  • Appeals from adverse administrative decisions in New York

  • Mediation and arbitration for business and personal disputes, including matters in the food and beverage industry, often resolving disputes faster and at lower cost than litigation in court.

  • For professional licensing defense outside of hospitality, including professional exam disputes, mediation and arbitration, and appeals in New York and Massachusetts, see my dedicated professional licensing practice site at HigherBarLaw.com.

My practice is focused on independent operators and mid-size hospitality groups that need serious representation without unnecessary overhead.

Jurisdiction Disclosure

I am licensed to practice law in New York and Massachusetts.

In New York, I handle the full range of food and liquor law matters, including liquor licensing, food and health permits, disciplinary defense, suspensions and revocations, zoning, and appeals.

In Massachusetts, my hospitality practice is focused on appeals, including appeals to the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission from licensing denials and disciplinary decisions, and appeals to Massachusetts courts from adverse administrative rulings.

In Washington, D.C., I represent clients as an authorized representative before agency boards and administrative bodies where such representation is permitted. Appellate representation in D.C. courts is available on a case-by-case basis through pro hac vice admission.

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Client Testimonials

  • I sincerely appreciate your hard work and really enjoyed reading the draft ...  Thank you.

  • Truth is your brilliance.

  • Huge appreciation to you ... for moving this forward and all your work getting to this point.

  • Another exceptional brief!

  • I am beyond grateful for you and the work you are doing for me.

  • Thank you ... from the bottom of my heart and warmest regards.

  • I deeply appreciate your dedication and work ethic.

  • Your defense prevented a catastrophic ending for us.

  • Thank you so much for so diligently working on [my case].

  • This is an excellent write-up—your framing of each issue is particularly effective.

  • Thank you, and you are a lifesaver, are all very nice sentiments but seem to fall short.

  • I hope you allow yourselves to realize the importance and life changing [your work] can be for your clients.

  • Words honestly cannot express how deeply appreciative and relieved I feel.

  • I so appreciate your tenacity!!! 

  • You are super heroes.

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