Ryan McNeice Law & Entrepreneurship CLE: Starting a Winery

About This Event

Gonzaga University School of Law will be partnering with the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Liquor, Cannabis, and Psychedelics' Law Section for the delivery of an approved 2.0 credit CLE seminar on “Starting A Winery.” This program is to be held at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, WA (and online) on October 13, 2023. Live participants are invited to join us for an included reception at 3:00pm hosted by the GU Wine Institute.

This seminar is part of the new Ryan McNeice Law & Entrepreneurship Project which complements the work of the Center for Law Ethics & Commerce (CLEC) at Gonzaga Law School. This project adds to the center’s mission by promoting; the study of business, innovation, and technology with ethical considerations that further the common good. Some of the profits from this event will be donated to the Ryan McNeice ('04 MBA, '05 JD) Law & Entrepreneurship Project.

Agenda & Speakers:

1:00 – Welcome & Introductions by Dean Jacob H. Rooksby

1:05 – 1:45 – Starting a Winery 101: Emily Harris Gant will discuss the steps needed to start a new winery, including legal concerns surrounding entity selection, Tied House considerations, real estate choices, and obtaining federal and state licenses to operate.

1:45 – 2:25 – Funding Your Winery: Most alcohol-related businesses will need outside funding in order to begin operations or to grow them. Dan Wadkins will discuss the traditional ways that such businesses can seek funding, and then explore alternative funding models that may need to be undertaken in compliance with securities laws.

2:25 – 2:55 – Panel Discussion on Operating a Winery: In a conversation moderated by Emmelyn Hart, Judith Shulman, attorney and winery owner, Dan Wadkins, and Emily Harris Gant will be discussing various legal complications faced by wine industry professionals, such as contracts for the purchase or sale of grapes, constraints with trademarks and marketing, compliance and shipping to other states, managing investors or bank loans, distributors vs. direct to consumer sales,– as well as overall best practices based on their experience.

2:55 – 3:00 – Time for Questions

3:00 - 4:00 - (For Live Attendees) Gonzaga University Wine Institute Reception