In Dimitrios G. Christopoulos’ beverage alcohol and hospitality focused-practice, he provides trade practice counseling and guidance regarding transactional matters, including distribution agreements, litigation, including enforcement matters, distributor termination matters, and commercial disputes such as lease and partnership disputes. Dimitri provides guidance regarding permitting and licensing for importers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers, including grocery stores, restaurants, hotels and unique licensure.
Dimitri has extensive experience representing suppliers, importers, distributors and retailers before federal, state and local regulatory commissions. Clients seek his unique and intricate understanding of all aspects related to the beverage alcohol and hospitality industry in Chicago, throughout Illinois and nationwide.
Dimitri serves as general counsel to the Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois, as well as to multiple industry related enterprises. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and has taught other attorneys on industry issues for continuing legal education.
Prior to founding the firm in 2005, Dimitri served as an attorney in Chicago-based law firms including an international business-focused firm as well as a full-service firm. In these roles, he honed his legal acumen in matters relating to commercial litigation, mediations, trials and arbitrations.
Professional Leadership
- National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, Member
- National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, Member
- Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois, Member
- National Beer Wholesalers Association, Member
- National Association of Licensing Compliance Professionals, Member
- Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys, Member
- Illinois Restaurant Association, Member
- Hellenic Bar Association, Member
Honors & Awards
- Recognized by Chambers USA as Band 4 in Food & Beverages: Alcohol
Community Leadership
- Hellenic American Leadership Council, Member
Representative Matters
Past and Ongoing Regulatory Matters:
- Ongoing trade practice advice to suppliers, wholesalers and retailers.
- Ongoing advice regarding structure, as well as transition issues in management and control for all industry members.
- Drafting and providing advice regarding legislative initiatives along with drafting of legislation.
- Active in policy determination in collaboration with liquor regulatory agencies.
- Advising industry members on private label and brand ownership matters.
- Interfacing with industry associations on legislative and regulatory issues.
Past Litigation/Enforcement Matters:
- Resolved litigation against brewer in termination of Illinois wholesalers with wholesalers retaining distribution rights.
- Obtained multi-million dollar judgment in arbitration against brewer in termination of Illinois wholesalers.
- Obtained favorable settlement with wholesaler retaining distribution rights in litigation against non-alcoholic beverage supplier termination of Illinois wholesaler.
- Lead counsel in dispute over contaminated beer with contract brewer on behalf of brand owner.
- Resolved partnership dispute relating to illegal cross-tier ownership with removal of partner with illegal interest.
- Obtained multi-million dollar judgment, including attorney’s fees, in litigation against importer for illegally withholding consent to the sale of importer’s brand to successor beer wholesaler.
- Lead regulatory counsel on behalf of wholesaler in Rule to Show Cause filed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau.
- Lead counsel in termination matter against non-alcoholic beverage producer on behalf of 24 wholesalers nationally.
Past and Ongoing Transactional Matters:
- Lead counsel in transaction in sale of non-alcoholic distribution division from wholesaler to competing wholesaler.
- Restructured ownership and advised non-licensee on sponsorship matter in venue.
- Lead counsel on behalf of wholesaler in purchase of beer division from competing wholesaler.
- Multiple brand sale and purchase transactions annually.
- Regularly negotiate beer, wine and spirits distribution agreements on behalf of wholesalers.
- Regularly negotiate and close sale and purchases of licensed hospitality businesses.
- Lead counsel in sale of wine importation and brand rights to large winery.
Presentations
- Speaker, “Trade Practice Enforcement,” Wine, Beer & Spirits Law, CLE International – Savannah, GA, 2023
- Moderator, “Regulator/Industry Dynamic in the State House,” National Conference of State Liquor Administrators – Branson, MO, 2023
- Speaker, “Trade Practice Counseling and Legal Update,” Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois Annual Convention – Burr Ridge, IL, 2023
- Moderator, “Follow the Money: Is “this” a Three Tier Problem?” National Conference of State Liquor Administrators – Oklahoma City, OK, 2023
- Panelist, “Divergence of Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic Beverages,” Beer Marketers Insight Conference – Chicago, IL 2023
- Moderator, “State of the Industry – Advantageous and Disadvantageous Trade Practice Rules,” National Conference of State Liquor Administrators – Overland Park, KS, 2022
- Panelist, “Coupons and Rebates,” National Conference of State Liquor Administrators – Reno, NV, 2021
- Speaker, “Trade Practice Update,” Center for Alcohol Policy – Webinar, 2020
- Moderator, “Who is this Federal Agent at my Door and What’s a TTB?” National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals – Denver, CO, 2019
- Speaker, “TTB Investigations,” Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois – Chicago, IL, 2019
- Speaker, “Federal Basic Permit Issues,” Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois Annual Convention – St. Charles, IL, 2018
- Speaker, “Staying in the Know: Insight into Unique Alcohol Laws in Illinois,” Fintech – Webinar, 2018
- Speaker, “Beer Industry Fair Dealing Act and Brewer-Distributor Relationships,” Illinois Craft Brewers Guild – Chicago, IL, 2018
- Speaker, “Maintaining Your Liquor License,” Defense Research Institute – Chicago, IL, 2018
- Speaker, “Kitchen Sink – Music Licensing, Tied House and Emerging Trends,” Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys – New Orleans, LA, 2017
- Speaker, “Licensing, Labeling and Regulatory Compliance,” National Business Institute – Naperville, IL, 2017
- Moderator, “Liquor License Transition and Disclosure Issues,” Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys – San Diego, CA, 2016
- Speaker, “Shelton Brothers’ Constitutional Challenge Against the Illinois Beer Industry Fair Dealing Act,” Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois Annual Convention – Naperville, IL, 2016
- Speaker, “Winery and Vineyard Law,” National Business Institute – Naperville, IL, 2016
- Speaker, “Brewery and Distillery Law in Illinois,” National Business Institute – Naperville, IL, 2015
