McDermott Will & Schulte, a global law firm

Alva represents more than 30% of the world’s largest alcohol companies, including brewers, distillers, wineries, importers, and retailers. She also counsels clients in the growing cannabis space, drawing on in-depth knowledge of the evolving legal and regulatory landscape.

Her work spans high-stakes audits, investigations, arbitration, and litigation, as well as other critical areas such as intellectual property, trade, and tax. Alva practices at the forefront of emerging trends in the alcohol industry, including alcohol delivery services, new beverage collaborations, and e-commerce.

When companies want to break into or expand their footprint in the alcohol industry, they turn to Alva for her extensive M&A experience. Nontraditional beverage companies, large alcohol producers, and private equity clients count on her guidance through regulatory complexities in the alcohol production, distribution, and delivery spaces – during transactions and on an ongoing basis.

As a sought-after thought leader, Alva often writes and speaks on trends and regulatory developments in the alcohol and cannabis industries.

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• Advised major retailers and e-commerce platforms on ways to navigate the ever-changing landscape of alcohol delivery and online sales
• Assisted several large suppliers in launching or partnering to bring NFTs to market
• Advised major suppliers on ways they can respond to growth and capture opportunities in the ready-to-drink cocktails market.
• Defended a national brewer against wage-and-hour breach allegations
• Represented multiple clients in website accessibility litigation
• Provided guidance to multiple clients through actual and potential recalls in both the United States and worldwide
• Assisted the fourth largest brewery in the US with its rollout of its hard seltzer brand, including TTB alcohol regulatory work and FDA expertise
• Provided guidance for a beer company on TTB rules and regulations relating to the formulation and marketing in different states for their hard seltzers and ready-mixed cocktails
• Provide the full range of corporate, commercial, regulatory and dispute resolution services for the largest family-owned winery in the US and one of the world’s largest wine companies
• Provide guidance for a liqueur producer on alcohol regulatory matters, including labeling and formula approval
• Conducted an extensive analysis of the ecommerce operations and partnerships for a major whiskey producer
• Advised a private equity firm on the $1.2 billion acquisition of the largest wine company in the Pacific Northwest and the third-largest premium wine company in the US
• Guided a Boston-based craft brewer and distributor through a dispute with another drinks company that makes sparkling hard tea and canned cocktails
• Assisted a technology platform that connects alcohol retailers with wholesalers to navigate regulatory landscape of state-by-state distribution regulations
• Represented several of the world’s largest spirits companies through the negotiation, drafting and execution of its distribution agreements for entire US market*
• Provided state-by-state and national alcohol beverage regulatory advice for major beverage suppliers, including advising on tied house considerations, marketing and advertising practices*
• Provided in depth analysis of both TTB and FDA related labeling and formula compliance
• Provided advice to an international brewer regarding opportunities to franchise in the United States

*Matter handled prior to joining the firm.

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• JD Supra, Readers’ Choice Awards, Top Author in Food & Beverage, 2025
• The Legal Intelligencer, Professional Excellence Awards: Distinguished Leader, 2023
• Legal 500 US, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Actions: Consumer Products, 2019

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