Restaurant and Liquor Lawyer for Oregon and Washington

Michael Gottlieb is an experienced restaurant law and liquor law attorney practicing in Oregon and Washington. Throughout Mr. Gottlieb's career, he has been deeply involved in the challenges of the restaurant, liquor, and hospitality industries, from a business and legal perspective. The owners of restaurants, bars, night clubs and catering companies have unique challenges. Many are family owned businesses that have the complexity of a larger enterprise. Many are owned by restaurant-savvy individuals who are not experienced in the legal and regulatory world. And with ever-shrinking margins, many simply cannot afford expensive attorneys to help them.

Mr. Gottlieb has advised restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and catering companies on a wide variety of issues. He offers reduced rates to these clients to help them succeed.

Mr. Gottlieb advises restaurateurs on numerous issues including:

Start-up and On-Going:

  • Entity formation (LLC, Corp) and governance
  • Leases and tenant improvements
  • Real estate purchase
  • Equipment leases and purchases
  • Loan negotiation and contracts
  • Investor/Lender solicitation, negotiations, and contracts
  • Credit card merchant contracts
  • Partnership agreements
  • Vendor contracts
  • Liquor licensing, application denials or conditions
  • Health Department licensing
  • Employment contracts, policies and procedures, and employee handbooks
  • Affiliated company agreements (e.g. multiple outlets)
  • Management company agreements
  • Business licensing
  • Sidewalk café permits
  • Lottery licenses
  • Trademarks and servicemarks
  • Purchase or sale of a restaurant, bar, night club, or catering company
  • Estate planning to protect assets from future creditors

Disputes and Litigation:

  • Regulatory violations (OLCC liquor license violations, noise ordinance violations, occupancy permit violations, health code violations, BOLI actions)
  • Vendor disputes and settlements
  • Debtor representation (defense for lawsuits from creditors)
  • Defense for personal injury and premises liability claims
  • Partnership disputes
  • Negotiations with payroll/taxing authorities, including the Internal Revenue Service, Oregon Department of Revenue, Oregon Employment Department, Washington Department of Revenue, and Washington Department of Labor and Industries

Representative Current and Former Clients:

  • The 720 Room
  • Bartini
  • Be Zinful Catering
  • Blackstone American Grill
  • Brix Tavern
  • Cafe Nation
  • Caribe Club
  • Dog House Saloon
  • Duck Pond Cellars
  • Downtown Delicatessen and Greek Cusina
  • Hamburger Mary's Portland
  • Liner & Elsen Wine Merchants
  • Pearl Catering
  • Portland Sports Bar and Grill
  • Pronghorn Golf Resort
  • Rivers American Grill
  • Tillicum Tavern
  • Triple Nickel Pub
  • Urban Fondue
  • Urban Studio
  • Studio 503
  • The Viper Room
  • Voodoo Lounge

Affiliations and Education:

  • Member, Oregon State Bar
  • Member, Washington State Bar
  • Member, Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association
  • Participant, Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Service, Restaurant/OLCC Panel
  • Juris Doctorate, cum laude, Certificate in Business Law, Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College

Contact Mr. Gottlieb for a free consultation at 503-546-0498 or www.gottlieb-law.com.