Mission, Vision, & Values
We're not a typical law firm. Our office believes in blue jeans, dogs, bluegrass music, hard work, passion, and creating lasting partnerships and friendships with our clients. Our goal is to help others share their talents in the food and beverage space with the world. Our purpose is to provide you with exceptional, transparent legal counsel and representation so that you have the freedom to focus on what's next for your business . When you choose to work with Bristow Beverage Law, we’re on your team and we have you back.
About Us
Founded in 2015, we are a South Carolina-based firm focused on advising businesses and individuals across the food and beverage industry; we’re honored to serve more than 100 businesses across the country. Our clients include many craft breweries, wineries, cideries, meaderies, distilleries, coffee roasters, kombucha makers, distributors, retailers, and restaurants as well as numerous up-and-coming food and beverage businesses in-planning.
Our office is dedicated to helping these businesses with applicable state and federal business and employment laws, as well as assisting in the areas of corporate formation, contracts, federal and state compliance, formula and label approval, state and federal licensing, protecting intellectual property and trade secrets, and any other curveballs thrown their way.
Our office is dedicated to helping these businesses with applicable state and federal business and employment laws, as well as assisting in the areas of corporate formation, contracts, federal and state compliance, formula and label approval, state and federal licensing, protecting intellectual property and trade secrets, and any other curveballs thrown their way.
|
Brook BristowAttorney at Lager®Founder and Managing Attorney Brook Bristow has practiced law since 2007 in both transactional and litigation roles. Representing hundreds of clients from start-ups to national brands, Brook counsels members of the food and beverage industry. He regularly advises on federal and state regulatory compliance, licensing, contracts, intellectual property, and federal label and formula approvals, among other topics.
He has some street cred, having served as co-founder of Greenville Craft Beer Week, president of the Craft Beer Attorney Coalition, president of the Upstate Brewtopians homebrew club, and as the inaugural Executive Director of the South Carolina Brewers Guild. He is also Cicerone Program Certified Beer Server. Brook holds a B.A. in Advertising from the University of South Carolina, and a J.D. from Mercer University, where he served on the Mercer Law Review. He is licensed in the state of South Carolina. He enjoys Central Coast Zinfandel, Aged Rum, and can brew a passable IPA. |
Jennifer HladekChaos Coordinator
Jennifer is our resident Chaos Coordinator. Her background as a litigation paralegal and as the beverage director for a large food and wine festival makes her a most unique and formidable team member. She loves being inspired by creative, passionate people and jumping into new experiences.
A native of the Isle of Palms, she enjoys all that Charleston has to offer, including sunset boat rides, sandy toes, perfectly steamed oysters, and a cold beer on a hot day. Her blood runneth orange as a Clemson University graduate ('04) and loves to attend football games with her family whenever possible. She lives in Charleston with her fun-loving husband, Mark, energetic sons Jackson (9) and Kason (7) and the bestest pup in the world, Quinn. |
Jamie AbodeelySmooth Hoperator
Jamie is our Smooth Hoperator. Her diverse background in project management, marketing, SEO, office management, and animal rights advocacy makes her the perfect fit to support our firm, clients, and the pups we love.
Jamie loves dogs, cold beer, fresh seafood, and fiber art. When she’s not busy keeping the office shipshape and operatings running smoothly, you can find her beachside with her pup, Beatrix (aka The Kraken) or volunteering at her local animal shelters. Jamie lives in Summerville with her husband, Eric, The Kraken, their three terrible cats, and more macrame cord than she'll ever know what to do with. |
Accolades & Associations
We don't know how to put this but we're kind of a big deal.
We have many leather-bound books and our office smells of rich mahogany.
We have many leather-bound books and our office smells of rich mahogany.
Memberships & AssociationsState Bar of South Carolina
Member 2007 – Present District Court of South Carolina Member 2007 – Present Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Member 2007 – Present Greenville County Bar Association Member 2011 - Present |
Honors & AwardsBrewers Association F.X.
Matt Defense of the Small Brewing Industry 2015 Charleston City Paper's Best of Charleston Best Lawyer Finalist 2020, 2021, 2023 Charleston City Paper's Best of Charleston Best Law Firm Finalist 2020, 2021 Post & Courier Charleston's Choice Best Lawyer Finalist 2022 Post & Courier Charleston's Choice Best Law Firm Finalist 2021, 2022, 2023 |
We're A Little Different.
We're not your typical law firm and we don't want to be. Here's what we believe:
1. WE’RE UTILITY KNIVES, NOT BUTTER KNIVES. |
As a small business, we understand the importance of being able to do just about everything and our service reflects that. If we can’t do something, we’ll find someone we trust who can.
|
2. SIMPLICITY, NOT CLUTTER. |
The law is a complex animal. Our job is to keep things as simple as possible by communicating clearly and effectively. We're fluent in Legalise, you don't have to be.
|
3. OUR CLIENTS ARE OUR TEAMMATES AND FRIENDS. |
Project work is great. If that’s what you’re looking for, we can help. Let's be honest though, the most fulfilling relationships are lasting ones. We're the real thing. We're in it to win it; we want to be in your corner and have your back.
|
C'mon, you know you want to!