Michael T. Kelly

Counsel
Michael has more than 40 years’ experience in the alcohol beverage industry representing alcohol beverage producers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers.
Michael Kelly, Counsel at Arent Fox

Michael regularly represents clients in connection with alcohol beverage trade practice matters as well as licensing and permitting matters before the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau as well as the various State Alcoholic Beverage Control Boards. He also has extensive experience in the negotiation and termination of importation agreements between foreign producers and their US importers, as well the negotiation and termination of distribution agreements between US importers or US producers and their distributors.

Mike has spoken at various alcohol beverage control industry conferences, and continuing legal education conferences, including the National Association of Beverage Control Administrators’ Legal Conference, the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators and CLE International on such topics as the history of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, and current US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and State Alcoholic Beverage Control trade practice issues.

Previous Work

Mike served as Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Moet Hennessy USA, Inc. and Schieffelin & Somerset Co. for twenty-five years. He handled all legal matters for the company including providing alcohol beverage regulatory advice, negotiating purchase and sale agreements, joint venture agreements, distribution agreements, advertising, sales promotion, and public relations agreements, trademark licensing agreements, managing litigation and providing advice on various corporate legal matters. Prior to joining ArentFox Schiff, Mike was a member of Wormser, Kiely, Galef & Jacobs LLP and co-chaired the firm’s Alcohol Beverage Regulatory Group.

Professional Activities

  • American Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association

Perspectives

Awards

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