ArentFox Schiff Bolsters Alcohol Beverage Regulatory Capabilities With Addition of Four-Person Team

The team, which includes several former in-house counsel at leading alcohol beverage companies, brings vast experience with the liquor sector’s regulatory complexities — including high-stakes litigation, federal and state law compliance, trade practices, distribution matters, commercial agreements, and licensing, registration, and permitting processes. 

“This experienced group of attorneys will not only provide top‑tier regulatory insight but the business pragmatism and industry knowledge that our food and beverage clients value,” said Karen Carr, leader of the Food, Drug, Medical Device & Cosmetic practice group. “Amid exciting sector growth and ongoing policy changes, we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome this top-notch team and look forward to their contributions to our growing practice and highly regulated client base.” 

Meet the Team

Nichole Shustack, Partner

Nichole counsels public and private companies of every size — from household names to startups — on day‑to‑day operations and growth strategies, including compliance with federal and state regulations, trade practices, commercial agreements, distribution matters, and coordination of actual and potential recalls. She leverages nearly a decade of in‑house experience at the Boston Beer Company to provide alcohol beverage clients with practical, business‑oriented guidance on regulatory challenges related to alcohol production, distribution, and delivery. Nichole also represents brands marketing ancillary or cross‑category products and platforms, including hemp and cannabis products and retailer operations technologies, at every phase of the product lifecycle.

Nichole’s clients include premium liquor and beer brands, craft brewers and distillers, family wineries, national and international manufacturers and brand owners, importers, wholesalers, major retailers, e‑commerce and media platforms, non‑traditional beverage companies, startups, and third‑party unlicensed companies that support or operate in the alcohol industry. She provides pragmatic, business‑minded counsel to help companies ensure compliance with local, state, federal, and international laws while efficiently managing operations and protecting their brands. 

Michael Rudy, Counsel

Mike has over 20 years of experience providing legal and business guidance within the alcohol beverage industry in areas including corporate governance, multi‑jurisdictional compliance, litigation management, distribution strategies, and merger and acquisition activity. He draws on his in‑house counsel background, viewing legal and compliance issues through a commercial lens to help alcohol beverage clients navigate complex market dynamics, maintain trade practice compliance, and execute transformative growth strategies.

Isabelle Cunningham, Senior Associate

Isabelle focuses her practice on alcohol and food and beverage regulatory matters, with a particular emphasis on new and innovative products. Well-versed in the complexities of food and beverage law, including Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, Isabelle serves as strategic regulatory counsel to manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Before entering private practice, Isabelle served as in-house counsel at a multi-billion-dollar beverage company, where she advised senior leadership on compliance with alcohol franchise, contract, and trade practice laws and negotiated contracts on behalf of the company across all key business functions.

Helen Plunkett, Director of Alcohol Regulatory & Corporate Administration

Helen manages end‑to‑end support to alcohol beverage clients and corporate organizations across a wide range of regulatory, governance, and compliance matters. She oversees the full lifecycle of alcohol regulatory compliance processes, including preparing and submitting state and federal alcohol beverage licenses, permits, and brand registrations, and ongoing reporting obligations at both the state and federal levels. In addition to her regulatory work, Helen provides integrated corporate governance and compliance support for both public and private companies, including board of directors and committee administration, equity management, and SEC reporting. Having worked in-house and in corporate law, Helen brings unique insight to the legal support and acumen businesses need for success.

Nichole, Isabelle, and Helen join the firm from Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP, where Nichole led the Alcohol group and co-led the Food and Beverage Group.