Third Annual Continuing Legal Education Event Will Examine Topics Surrounding Current Alcohol Regulation and Litigation

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Some of the best legal minds in the country will gather to explore, debate and discuss current alcohol laws and the challenges facing them at the Third Annual Legal Symposium sponsored by the Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP).

“The basis for alcohol regulation is being challenged in several states,” said CAP Advisory Board Chairman and former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro. “This gathering is a great opportunity for regulators, public health community advocates, elected leaders, alcohol beverage industry insiders and others interested in alcohol issues to come together to share insights and ideas regarding current alcohol regulation and litigation.”

Who:  Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP)

What: Third Annual Legal Symposium on Alcohol Regulation and Litigation

When:  Sunday, October 24 – Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Where:  The Fairmont Dallas (Downtown)

1717 North Akard St.

Dallas, TX  75201

Reservations:  866-540-4427

Reference the Center for Alcohol Policy to obtain the special negotiated     room rate of $139/night for single/double occupancy. Government employees receive a special Government Employee Rate of $117/night.

Sessions offered during the 2009 CAP Legal Symposium included:

Globalization and a U.S. Constitutional Amendment:  The Future of Alcohol Laws in the United States

• Supplier Contracts:  Implications for State Alcohol Laws
• Public Health Aspects of Alcohol Regulation
• Defending State Liquor Laws Under the 21^st Amendment:  A State Perspective
• Liquor Liability Laws:  Pros, Cons and Recent Developments

More details about the 2010 CAP Legal Symposium, including the list of speakers and agenda, will be posted to the CAP Web site, www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org, as they become available.

For further information, e-mail info@centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Second Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Essay Contest has expanded on the success of last year’s inaugural contest with entries from California to Connecticut and several other countries as well.  The deadline for submissions was November 18.

The Essay Contest is intended to foster debate, analysis and examination of state alcohol regulation.  The theme of this year’s contest was: “State regulation of alcohol is important because…”  The essays could focus on any aspect of state alcohol regulation including legal analysis, law enforcement perspective, tax collection, public health and other relevant topics.

“For more than 75 years, alcohol has been effectively regulated in the U.S. by a state-based system of alcohol controls provided by the 21^st Amendment,” said CAP Advisory Council member and Cumberland School of Law Professor Brannon Denning. “This year’s essay contest offers a unique opportunity to address the impact of state alcohol regulation on society and its role in protecting Americans in today’s environment.”

Alcohol is the only article of commerce subject to two constitutional amendments.  As society addresses problems like alcohol abuse including underage drinking and drunk driving, the debate about maintaining effective alcohol regulation is critical.  The Center for Alcohol Policy seeks to raise public awareness about the unique qualities and regulations of alcohol.

The top three winning entries will receive prizes of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 respectively.

For essay contest rules, guidelines and last year’s winning essays, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

CHICAGO, IL – The Second Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Alcohol Law Symposium continued today at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, with a focus on U.S. alcohol regulation and litigation issues.

The day began with a panel discussion titled, “Globalization and a U.S. Constitutional Amendment: The Future of Alcohol Laws in the United States.”  The session focused on the effects of the increasing globalization of the alcohol business and the changes that might be in store for U.S. alcohol regulation.  Panel speakers included moderator Jeremiah McWilliams of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Anoop Bhasin of the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration; Pam Erickson of Public Action Management, PLC; Kelly Grebe of MillerCoors; and Michele Simon of the Marin Institute.  These participants shared lessons learned from overseas alcohol regulation and talked about future trends and challenges on the horizon.

A review of 21st Amendment cases in the U.S. highlighted the many active types of litigation against a state’s ability to regulate alcohol.   Many of the problems associated with Dormant Commerce Clause or antitrust challenges to state alcohol regulation remain unsettled.

The Symposium concluded with a session that focused on common legal issues currently facing operators of alcohol companies.

More details on speakers, education session topics and the full Symposium agenda can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

CHICAGO, IL – Today the Second Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Alcohol Law Symposium kicked off its first full day at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.

Attendees were welcomed with remarks by CAP Advisory Council Chair and former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro.  “A state’s ability to regulate alcohol is being challenged in several states, so this gathering is a good opportunity for regulators, public health advocates, elected leaders and industry insiders to come together to share insight and ideas,” said Petro.

The day continued with insightful panels by current and former alcohol regulators, prominent alcohol law attorneys, a professor of alcoholic beverage law and public health advocates.  The panel sessions focused on the following topics:

•         Liquor Liability Laws: Pros, Cons and Recent Developments
•         Public Health Aspects of Alcohol Regulation
•         Supplier Contracts: Implications for State Alcohol Laws
•         What is the Fosdick and Scott Report and Why is it Important?
•         Defending State Liquor Laws Under the 21st Amendment: A State Perspective
•         Trade Practice Laws: A State and Federal Perspective

Nebraska Attorney General and National Association of Attorneys General President Jon Bruning delivered a keynote address on the role of the attorney general in upholding state-based alcohol regulation under the 21st Amendment.  “I applaud the Center for Alcohol Policy for bringing divergent parties such as industry insiders, public health regulators and attorney generals to discuss issues of alcohol policy,” said Bruning.

The Second Annual CAP Alcohol Law Symposium continues Tuesday, October 20.  More details on speakers, education session topics and the full Symposium agenda can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

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The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org

Program Topics Include Issues Surrounding Alcohol Law, Regulation and Litigation

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Second Annual Center for Alcohol Policy (CAP) Alcohol Law Symposium, to be held October 18-20 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, will feature insightful panels by current and former alcohol regulators who will discuss the challenges they currently face in defending state liquor laws under the 21st Amendment. Registration is still available at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.

Assistant attorneys generals from several states that have been involved in litigation regarding the 21st Amendment will participate on a panel and discuss challenges to state-based alcohol regulation and state laws.

“Challenges to state-based alcohol regulation are very real in states across the country,” said CAP Advisory Council Chair and former Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro. “The Center is excited to provide this opportunity for regulators, legal scholars, attorneys general, public health community and industry and others to engage in an open dialogue.”

The Alcohol Law Symposium includes ten educational sessions, and topics include the history of U.S. alcohol regulation; the intersection of alcohol supplier contracts and state alcohol laws; an examination of federal; and state trade practice laws and liquor liability laws.

Another session will discuss the effects of the increasing globalization of the alcohol business and what changes might be in store for U.S. alcohol regulation.  Experts from the alcohol industry, the media, the public and state regulators will share lessons learned from overseas alcohol regulation and explore future trends and challenges on the horizon.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits are being offered by almost all states for those attending the Symposium. A full listing of states that have approved CLE credits as well as more details on speakers, education session topics, registration information and the full Symposium agenda can be found at www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org. Reduced registration fees are available for government and nonprofit registrants.

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CONTACT: Amy Foster; amyf@centerforalcoholpolicy.org; (703) 519-3090
The Center for Alcohol Policy is a 501 c (3) organization whose mission is to educate policy makers, regulators and the public about alcohol, its uniqueness and regulation.  By conducting sound and scientific-based research and implementing initiatives that will maintain the appropriate state-based regulation of alcohol, the Center promotes safe and responsible consumption, fights underage drinking and drunk driving and informs key entities about the effects of alcohol consumption.  For more information, visit www.centerforalcoholpolicy.org.