Illinois Tax Upheld by IL Supreme Court

Under the category of cleaning up, I realized I had posted the complaint but never follwoed through on this post.    The Illinois Supreme Court rejected the tax increase challenges on liquor and noted it did not violate the state’s single subject rule.  The complaint is here. Sorry for the long delay. (earlier post) Illinois Lawsuit Seeks…Read More

Starving Lawyers and Oeniphiles Can’t Survive on $675,000.

Hat tip to Karin Moore at the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America for the developments up in Massachusetts. Wow.  “Rare” wine collectors and their law firms are crying foul that they were awarded “only” $675,000 in fees and expenses for the 1st Circuit volume cap matter.  They have filed this notice of appeal of…Read More

Supreme Court denies certiorari in Wine Country case

Today the United States Supreme Court issued a long list of orders.  On this list was the denial of certiorari in the Wine Country Gift Baskets v. Steen case out of the 5th Circuit.   The orders can be found here. The Supreme Court decision leaves in place the ruling of the 5th circuit upholding the…Read More

NY: US District Court Strikes Down Brewer’s Attempt to Circumvent Franchise Laws

United States District Court Judge Garaufis in Brooklyn has ruled that New York’s beer franchise statute protects distributors from arbitrary termination. The Court ruled that an importer is a “successor brewer” under the current law and as such is not allowed to terminate its wholesaler without showing good cause.  The importer had attempted to terminate its…Read More

National Conference of State Legislatures clarifies their official view of direct shipping

Update: Since the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) continues to have its position on direct shipping interpreted wrongly across the country, they have sought to clarify it.  Recently, they have written to one attorney  asking for clarity to avoid stating that the the full NCSL had endorsed a wine model shipping legislation.  Click here for the letter….Read More