Alva C. Mather
Subscribe to Alva C. Mather's PostsAlva Mather is the global head of McDermott’s Regulatory Practice Group and a member of the Firm’s Management Committee, and heads the Alcohol Regulatory & Distribution Practice. As a nationally recognized go-to lawyer for alcohol beverage regulatory, commercial and M&A matters, clients say that Alva “comes to the situation with clear leadership and strong knowledge of the food and beverage industry.” She combines her extensive knowledge of the commercial and legal landscape as well as deep understanding of the beverage industry to help clients mitigate risk, respond to challenges, and capture and pursue new business opportunities. Read Alva Mather's full bio.
The Next Wave of ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuits Against Alcohol Suppliers
By Alva C. Mather and Jeremy White on Mar 17, 2025
Posted In Advertising and Marketing
The increasing popularity of online shopping has made e-commerce businesses – specifically those in the alcohol beverage industry – a frequent target for costly litigation. In lockstep with the continued prevalence of website accessibility cases, plaintiff firms are sending pre-suit demand letters to alcohol suppliers and, in some cases, filing a state or federal court...
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How Alcohol Exporters Can Use FDII and IC-DISC to Maximize Tax Savings
By Steven Hadjilogiou and Alva C. Mather on Mar 5, 2025
Posted In Alcohol Excise Taxes
For US alcohol exporters – whether crafting bourbon, brewing craft beer, or bottling fine wines – selling to international markets is a significant opportunity for growth. Two US federal income tax regimes, the foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) deduction and the interest charge-domestic international sales corporation (IC-DISC), offer valuable ways to reduce tax liability and boost...
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Navigating the EPR Laws: What Alcohol Beverage Producers Need to Know
By Alva C. Mather and Andrea Nappi Conforme on Feb 21, 2025
Posted In Legislation
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws are relatively new – the first were signed into law in 2021 and 2022 – and are aimed at encouraging producers to package goods in a more environmentally conscientious manner and providing much needed revenue for in-state recyclers overwhelmed by the incoming volumes of recyclable material. In essence, EPR laws...
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Key Takeaways | 2024 Recap and What’s on Tap for Alcoholic Beverage Companies
By Alva C. Mather and Christine Dower on Jan 9, 2025
Posted In Advertising and Marketing, Distilled Spirits, Distribution, Enforcement, Hemp-Derived Beverages, Legislation, Litigation & Arbitration, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, THC Beverages, Trade Practices
The alcohol beverage industry experienced a transformative year, marked by notable shifts in consumer behavior, innovative product launches, and regulatory changes. During a recent webinar, McDermott’s Alcohol Group provided a retrospective on the pivotal moments of 2024 that impacted the industry, a preview of what’s to come in 2025, and insights into how your company...
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An End-of-Year Review of TTB Tax Audits and Enforcement
By Alva C. Mather, Christine Dower and Michelle Draper on Dec 20, 2024
Posted In Alcohol Excise Taxes, Enforcement, Licensing
We have updated and republished this March 2024 blog post for a year-end summary. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) Office of Field Operations is responsible for ensuring industry members comply with the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and all related regulations. It is divided into three groups: the...
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The Value of Data and Artificial Intelligence in the Alcohol Industry
By Alva C. Mather and Michelle Draper on Nov 7, 2024
Posted In Advertising and Marketing, Trade Practices
Members in the ever-evolving alcohol industry are leveraging data and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovation, enhance customer experiences, and optimize operations, all in an effort to increase efficiency and profitability in the market. There are several ways AI is being used to transform this industry: Marketing and Insights Data is highly valuable and can...
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Navigating the Buzz: How State Agencies Are Addressing Confusion Around Hemp and Low-Dose THC Beverages
By Alva C. Mather and Christine Dower on Oct 25, 2024
Posted In Cannabis, Hemp-Derived Beverages, Non-Alcoholic Beverages, THC Beverages
Hemp and low-dose delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) beverages continue to flood the marketplace. Depending on the state, these products can be purchased in liquor stores, gas stations, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and/or online. Despite their rise in popularity and presumed legality under the 2018 Farm Bill, some state agencies have recently made headlines with decisions to ban...
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Contract Manufacturing Versus an Alternating Proprietorship: What Is the Difference?
By Alva C. Mather, Christine Dower and Michelle Draper on Sep 26, 2024
Posted In Alcohol Excise Taxes, Audits, Commercial Agreements, Craft Beverage Modernization Act, Licensing
We frequently receive questions about the differences between contract brewing and alternating proprietorships, as well as questions concerning the key details the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and other regulators will be looking for in either approving the proposed structure or, more importantly, during a company audit. Here we discuss the primary...
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Seasonal Considerations for Packaging and Selling Alcoholic Beverages
By Alva C. Mather and Andrea Nappi Conforme on Sep 6, 2024
Posted In Beer, Malt Beverages and Cereal Beverages, Distilled Spirits, TTB COLAs and Formulas, Wine and Cider
The final quarter of the year is the alcohol industry’s busiest period, accounting for approximately 70% of annual business. Many holiday-themed seasonal products are beginning to make their way to market, and it is important to remember that these products may have additional regulatory considerations and hurdles. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau...
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Maine Updates Ownership Disclosure Requirements
By Alva C. Mather and Michelle Draper on Aug 30, 2024
Posted In Legislation, Licensing
On August 9, 2024, the new Public Law 2023, ch. 633 (L.D. 2069) from Maine’s Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (BABLO) formally went into effect, bringing an end to the previous burdensome “entire ownership” disclosure requirement that disrupted the industry in 2023. This legislation establishes new ownership disclosure requirement related to alcohol licensing...
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