Marbet Lewis

Marbet Lewis

Food and Beverage Law

4.0 (1 reviews)
Coral Gables, Florida
21+ years experience
Spirit Law Partners
Updated:

Contact Information

2525 Ponce De Leon Boulevard Suite 314, Coral Gables, FL 33134
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Bio

Marbet Lewis focuses her practice on the laws governing the alcohol industry and the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcohol beverage products. She represents clients in all aspects of alcohol and business licensing, alcohol licensee mergers and acquisitions, negotiation of asset purchase agreements and required alcohol use provisions, license transfers and licensing due diligence, trade practices, alcohol product advertising and review of marketing agreements, importation agreements, label approvals, and regulatory compliance guidance. Her experience also includes enforcement action defense and administrative litigation, zoning and land use due diligence and approval processes, and state and local government regulatory compliance, which includes drafting municipal code ordinances and amendments as well as assisting with redistricting and development of entertainment overlay districts.Marbet also assists clients with additional business permitting including obtaining business tax receipts, building permitting, certificates of use and occupancy, and other related operational permits, as well as representing various entertainment, hospitality, and alcohol industry clients during the zoning approval process, including representation before zoning boards for approval of variances, special exceptions, and use nonconformity issues as well as representation for zoning appeals cases. She has assisted with transfer of business and operational permits required as part of large asset acquisition transactions and merger of national retailers including hotels and entertainment venues such as movie theaters.She works with domestic and foreign suppliers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and a broad range of retailers, including nightclubs, bars, movie theater operators, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacy chains.Marbet is proficient in Spanish and has been a featured guest on Nuestro Mundo and A Fondo. Marbet Lewis focuses her practice on the laws governing the alcohol industry and the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcohol beverage products. She represents clients in all aspects of alcohol and business licensing, alcohol licensee mergers and acquisitions, negotiation of asset purchase agreements and required alcohol use provisions, license transfers and licensing due diligence, trade practices, alcohol product advertising and review of marketing agreements, importation agreements, label approvals, and regulatory compliance guidance. Her experience also includes enforcement action defense and administrative litigation, zoning and land use due diligence and approval processes, and state and local government regulatory compliance, which includes drafting municipal code ordinances and amendments as well as assisting with redistricting and development of entertainment overlay districts.Marbet also assists clients with additional business permitting including obtaining business tax receipts, building permitting, certificates of use and occupancy, and other related operational permits, as well as representing various entertainment, hospitality, and alcohol industry clients during the zoning approval process, including representation before zoning boards for approval of variances, special exceptions, and use nonconformity issues as well as representation for zoning appeals cases. She has assisted with transfer of business and operational permits required as part of large asset acquisition transactions and merger of national retailers including hotels and entertainment venues such as movie theaters.She works with domestic and foreign suppliers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and a broad range of retailers, including nightclubs, bars, movie theater operators, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacy chains.Marbet is proficient in Spanish and has been a featured guest on Nuestro Mundo and A Fondo. Marbet Lewis focuses her practice on the laws governing the alcohol industry and the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcohol beverage products. She has assisted with transfer of business and operational permits required as part of large asset acquisition transactions and merger of national retailers including hotels and entertainment venues such as movie theaters. She works with domestic and foreign suppliers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and a broad range of retailers, including nightclubs, bars, movie theater operators, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacy chains. Marbet is proficient in Spanish and has been a featured guest on Nuestro Mundo and A Fondo.

Practice Areas

Food and Beverage Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized: Food and Beverage Law
  • Practice Area: Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Practice Area: Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Practice Area: Leisure and Hospitality Law
  • Ranked in Nationwide Category: Food & Beverages: Alcohol, Chambers & Partners USA, 2019-2025
  • Best Lawyers in America: Food & Beverage Law, U.S. News & World Report, 2020-2025
  • South Florida Business and Wealth Prestigious Women’s Award 2023
  • Super Lawyers, 2021-2025
  • Florida Trailblazer, Daily Business Review, 2019
  • Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2017, 2018
  • Outstanding Lawyers of South Florida, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s 40 Under 40, 2017

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020

Education

  • St. Thomas University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, , graduated 2004
  • Florida International University, Bachelor of Arts

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Reviews

J

Joseph Richardson

2 weeks ago

Invaluable Guidance for a Complex Liquor License Transfer

As a small business owner purchasing an existing restaurant in Coral Gables, I was completely overwhelmed by the prospect of transferring the liquor license. The regulatory hurdles seemed insurmountable. Hiring Marbet Lewis at Spirit Law Partners was the best decision I could have made. Her 21 years of experience, particularly her recognized focus on food and beverage law, were immediately apparent. She expertly navigated the complex web of state and local regulations, including some tricky zoning questions related to our outdoor patio service. Her deep knowledge of the alcohol beverage industry's administrative rules saved us from several potential pitfalls and delays. While her expertise is worth every penny, the billing for some routine correspondence felt a bit high relative to the task. That said, her strategic advice was precise and effective. We successfully closed the transfer on schedule, and I now have a trusted advisor for any future compliance needs. I highly recommend Marbet for anyone dealing with the intricacies of alcohol licensing in Florida.

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