Liquor Licensing

Overview

Plunkett Cooney’s liquor license practice focuses on guiding clients through the Michigan Liquor Control Commission’s application and investigation processes.

Plunkett Cooney attorneys have specialized knowledge about how these processes work and about how best to ensure that they are handled efficiently and timely. This includes not only the Liquor Control Commission’s own process but also representing liquor license applicants during the municipal approvals process.

Plunkett Cooney also represents clients in buy-sell transactions involving liquor licenses. This aspect of the practice includes representing landlords where the tenant will be operating a liquor license on the premises. It also includes representing banks and other creditors when their debtors hold liquor licenses, both in the initial transaction and then later if the creditor defaults.

In addition, Plunkett Cooney attorneys represent clients in administrative hearings when there is an alleged violation of the Michigan Liquor Control Act or Administrative Rules. This includes alleged violations relating to sales to minors, illegal conduct on the premises or other alleged violations.

Representative Work

Represent businesses in applying for a new or transferred liquor licenses through the approval process with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission
Represent businesses in obtaining necessary municipal and law enforcement approvals for new or transferred liquor licenses
Represent liquor licensees at administrative hearings when violations of the Michigan Liquor Control Code or administrative rules are alleged, including sales to minors, sales to intoxicated persons, unauthorized transfer of a liquor license or allowing illegal conduct to occur on the premises
Advise businesses on best practices to protect their liquor licenses and work with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission when their business changes or closes
Represent creditors of liquor licensees, including landlords and lenders, in obtaining and perfecting security interests in liquor licenses and enforcing those interests upon default
Represent receivers when working on behalf of liquor license businesses in order to secure and continue operation of the liquor license
Represent banks and other creditors in obtaining security interest in liquor licenses

Represent banks and other creditors to enforce security interest when a liquor licensee debtor defaults, including assistance in transferring the license to a new purchaser