Liquor Licensing Attorney & Policy
Sean O’Leary, the Irish Liquor Lawyer, is a leader in the liquor industry and recognized as an authoritative source on liquor licensing and regulatory issues.
The most cited member by the media on liquor issues, Mr. O’Leary is a contributor to the Wall Street Journal, Wine Spectator, Forbes, and Wine Searcher. He is a trusted source on issues such as trade practices and constitutional liquor issues, and is a nationally recognized speaker and writer on these issues.
Mr. O’Leary is a trusted source by clients and provides a diverse array of services. Mr. O’Leary was previously the Chief Legal Counsel of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, where he helped drafted regulations, statutes, and policies.
Licensing and regulatory
Mr. O’Leary represents clients in all three-tiers of the liquor industry and helps them navigate through the liquor licensing and regulatory process. The liquor licensing process is complex, and small mistakes can delay the licensing process. You need an attorney with insight and knowledge to navigate this complex system.
Challenges to government actions
If the government wants to revoke, suspend, or refuse you a license, you need an attorney with a record of success to fight on your behalf. Mr. O’Leary successfully represented clients where government sanctions in Forest Park and Rock Island were overturned. He also successfully negotiated settlement for clients in Chicago and in the South Suburbs.
Direct-to-consumer business models
In private practice he has become a trusted source for businesses in the direct to consumer (DTC) shipping industry. Mr. O’Leary not only has developed DTC shipping models, he has successfully defended DTC models in front of state regulatory agencies and prevailed in court decisions challenging a client’s DTC shipping model.
He authored three U.S. Supreme Court amicus briefs on DTC legal issue and numerous other amicus briefs at Federal Circuit Court and State Supreme Court levels.
Recognition and advocacy
Mr. O’Leary is active on the liquor advocacy and policy side and in 2020 successfully advocated for and drafted legislation that legalized cocktails-to-go in Illinois.
He was recognized in 2022 & 2023 for his legal accomplishment by the Irish Legal 100, a group that honors the top Irish attorneys in the legal field. Mr. O’Leary also was named in 2023 to the VinePair 50, which recognizes the top influencers in the liquor industry.
Mr. O’Leary is admitted to practice in the state of Illinois and Indiana and before the United States Supreme Court, the 4th Circuit, the Northern District of Illinois, and the Illinois Supreme Court.
Mr. O’Leary is admitted to: Practice in Illinois and Indiana
Court Admissions:
United States Supreme Court
U.S. Courts of Appeal for the 4th and Federal Circuits
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
Illinois Supreme Court
Legal and Regulatory
Protecting clients’ direct to consumer business has become a passion for Mr. O’Leary. He successfully defended numerous business models before state agencies, and works with companies to help them develop direct to consumer business models to conform with state regulatory regimes and succeed in the marketplace.
2. Representing licensees in all three-tiers
Mr. O’Leary also has saved several businesses whose licenses were subject to legal investigation by state agencies. Representing
businesses in all three-tiers, Mr. O’Leary focuses his practice on serving his client’s needs.
About The Irish Liquor Lawyer, Sean O’Leary
Sean O’Leary, the Irish Liquor Lawyer, is a leader in the liquor industry and recognized as an authoritative source on liquor licensing and regulatory issues.
The most cited member by the media on liquor issues, Mr. O’Leary is a contributor to the Wall Street Journal, Wine Spectator, Forbes, and Wine Searcher. He is a trusted source on issues such as trade practices and constitutional liquor issues, and is a nationally recognized speaker and writer on these issues.
Mr. O’Leary is a trusted source by clients and provides a diverse array of services. Mr. O’Leary was previously the Chief Legal Counsel of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, where he helped drafted regulations, statutes, and policies.
Bringing simple solutions to difficult problems in heavily regulated industries.
The Irish Liquor Lawyer – Sean O’Leary
Sean’s knowledge of the law and process was superb. He communicated with me every step of the way and guided me to make informed decisions. The end result was very satisfactory
Sean navigated us through a very difficult legal process, and in doing so allowed us to expand our business and increase our revenue. Liquor laws are often times difficult to understand and that is why Sean is a valuable resource. Additionally, his national network of connections gets you to the right decision makers and gets things done.
We are pleased with the results and happy that we engaged him.
There are not a lot of blogs or publications that speak authoritatively on the legal aspects of the alcohol industry. It’s a complicated subject that is rife with ideological, partisan and self-serving perspectives. O’Leary is threading the needle here nicely and is a very welcome addition to the sources the industry can use to educate themselves on the state of alcohol law. Irish Liquor Lawyer is highly recommended.
Lobbying and Advocating
Mr. O’Leary acted as policy and legal advisor for Cocktails-For-Hope, in six weeks he helped start a grassroots effort that successfully lobbied the Illinois legislature to enact a major law change to allow retailers greater privileges. He drafted legislation and coordinated grass roots support for the movement.
Further, Mr. O’Leary lobbies on behalf of expanding and opening up the liquor industry to innovation. He has represented wine retailers that want to enhance direct to consumer opportunities.
Photo courtesy of Joyride Brewing