Theodore J. Zeller III has extensive experience in liquor law, regulatory licensing, commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and litigation.
Chair of the firm’s Liquor Law Practice Group, Ted was lead counsel in a beer rights case brought against the world’s largest brewers and is now General Counsel to D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.
Ted’s lobbying efforts helped change various laws under the Pennsylvania Liquor Code. In 2010, Ted testified before the Senate Law and Justice Committee on behalf of Yuengling Brewery concerning House Bill 291, which addresses the distribution of brewed beverages in Pennsylvania.
In 2011, Ted authored portions of two different bills that were enacted into law. The bills helped small brewers by allowing more efficient and cost effective brand registration, as well as altered the package laws for brewery licenses. He also appeared before the House Liquor Committee with the Brewers of Pennsylvania in the Privatization Hearings. Most recently, his efforts helped change brewery regulations to allow for taprooms and he authored the Malt Beverage Tax Excise Credit legislation. Further, he has written extensively about Acts 39 and 166.
Ted counsels clients on the acquisition of liquor licenses and coordinates liquor license transactions with other practice areas, such as real estate, business law, financing, tax law, intellectual property, and litigation. Known throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he also represents beer interests on a national level and advises breweries and wholesalers on state regulatory matters involving beer distribution and franchise laws. He regularly prepares distribution agreements for his clients and coordinates state and federal licensing for manufacturing and national distribution.
Ted has tried multiple cases in county and federal court, including jury trials, and hundreds of cases before arbitration panels, district justices, and administrative law judges. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Cider Guild and is General Counsel to the Brewers of Pennsylvania and represents alcohol interests in every category. Ted has helped numerous start-up breweries, wineries, distilleries, and retailers.
Ted was named a 2019 Pennsylvania Trailblazer by The Legal Intelligencer and made a cameo appearance in “Undercover Billionaire,” Episode 1 -2, as himself giving advice on how to build a brewery.
More Legal and Business Bylines From Theodore J. Zeller III
- Restaurant Revitalization Fund: Economic Relief for Restaurants - (Posted On Thursday, May 13, 2021)
- Make Memorial Day Plans! Pennsylvania COVID Restrictions to Be Lifted - (Posted On Wednesday, May 05, 2021)
- Philly Special Restaurant Reopening Rules - (Posted On Wednesday, March 03, 2021)
- USDA Certified Organic Ciders: One of a Kind? - (Posted On Monday, February 22, 2021)
- Pennsylvania’s COVID Christmas Closure 2020 - (Posted On Friday, December 11, 2020)
- Promising Court Opinions in First Wave of COVID Insurance Loss Claims for Restaurants - (Posted On Wednesday, December 09, 2020)
- New Jersey Restrictions Return for Bars and Restaurants as COVID-19 Cases Increase - (Posted On Wednesday, November 18, 2020)
- Pennsylvania COVID-19 Restaurant Restrictions Remain Fluid - (Posted On Thursday, September 17, 2020)
- One Step Forward, One Step Back: PA Gov Dances Around COVID Rules for Restaurants - (Posted On Friday, September 11, 2020)
- COVID-19 Brings Consumer Convenience to Pennsylvania - (Posted On Monday, August 03, 2020)