Christine Dower advises suppliers, brand owners, and investors on the business and regulatory complexities across the highly regulated, ever-evolving, alcohol and intoxicating hemp beverage industries.
Clients rely on Christine for thoughtful and actionable legal guidance on commercial agreements, navigating distributor relationships, trade practice compliance, and brand marketing initiatives. She frequently writes for McDermott Will & Schulte’s Alcohol Law Advisor blog.
- Draft and negotiate supply and distribution agreements for national and international alcohol suppliers
- Counsel suppliers and brand owners on state franchise law termination and renewal issues across multiple jurisdictions
- Assist private equity clients with regulatory counsel on partnering with and purchasing alcohol companies
- Provide beverage portfolios with route-to-market restructuring to optimize franchise compliance and brand control
- Guide suppliers through tied-house compliance in co-marketing and promotional arrangements
- Support celebrity-backed brands in various sponsorship and licensing agreements
- Assist suppliers and retailers through sponsorship agreements
- Advise beverage companies on the regulatory considerations when expanding into the hemp-derived and non-alcoholic beverage categories
- Represent alcohol suppliers in arbitration, litigation, and government investigations.
- Help technology platforms navigate the regulatory landscape of state-by-state distribution, marketing and advertising regulations
- Temple University Beasley School of Law, JD
- University of Delaware, BA
- Pennsylvania
Insights, News & Events
Webinar / Virtual / April 30, 2026
Key takeaways | Alcohol Regulatory Developments in Enforcement, Innovation, and Compliance
Article / April 27, 2026
March 2026 alcohol industry update: Bribery charges, new state laws, and THC uncertainty
Webinar / Virtual / January 28, 2026
Alcohol Regulatory Landscape in 2026: Predictions and Strategies
Webinar / Virtual / October 30, 2025
What’s Brewing in Alcohol Regulation: Your Questions Answered
Press release / October 24, 2025
McDermott’s 2026 promotion class reflects strength on strength across key practices in ...
Washington, DC / LexisNexis Practical Guidance / September 26, 2025
Key considerations for alcohol suppliers in M&A transactions
Washington, DC / FoodBev Media / June 26, 2025
Opinion: The growth of non-alcoholic products – rising trends and regulatory considerations
Article / April 27, 2026
March 2026 alcohol industry update: Bribery charges, new state laws, and THC uncertainty
Article / February 6, 2025
Key Considerations for Alcohol Suppliers in M&A Transactions
Video / March 2023
Webinar / Virtual / January 28, 2026
Alcohol Regulatory Landscape in 2026: Predictions and Strategies
Webinar / Virtual / October 30, 2025
What’s Brewing in Alcohol Regulation: Your Questions Answered
Webinar / In-person / December 11, 2024
Key Takeaways | 2024 Recap and What’s on Tap for Alcoholic Beverage Companies
Webinar / Virtual / July 17, 2024
Webinar / In-person / November 15, 2022
What Have We Learned? The Latest Trends in the Alcohol Industry, and ...
Press release / October 24, 2025
McDermott’s 2026 promotion class reflects strength on strength across key practices in ...
Washington, DC / LexisNexis Practical Guidance / September 26, 2025
Key considerations for alcohol suppliers in M&A transactions
Washington, DC / FoodBev Media / June 26, 2025
Opinion: The growth of non-alcoholic products – rising trends and regulatory considerations
Washington, DC / Brewbound / July 18, 2024
Legal Updates: Crossover Beverage Guidance Takes Shape, DTC Laws Advance
Washington, DC / Deal announcement / May 24, 2023
McDermott Advises Fishers Island Lemonade’s Founder in Sale to E. & J. ...
New York – One Vanderbilt Avenue / Deal announcement / January 23, 2023
McDermott Represents Destillers United Group in its Sale of Diplomático Rum ...
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