“Walked us through a complicated liquor license transfer for our Brooklyn restaurant. Filed quickly, prepped us for the Community Board, and we opened on schedule.”
Daniel R.Liquor License TransferGoogle
Liquor License Attorney
New York Liquor License Attorneys
Helping restaurants, bars, lounges, liquor stores, hotels, and hospitality businesses obtain New York liquor licenses quickly and correctly.
- New Applications
- Liquor License Transfers
- Temporary Permits
- Community Board Hearings
- 500-Foot Hearings
- Liquor Store Licensing
- SLA Defense
Client reviews
Trusted By New York Business Owners
Restaurants, bars, liquor stores, and hospitality operators rely on The James Firm for liquor licensing guidance.
5.0 average · 6 reviews · Source: Google
“We caught a 200-foot issue before signing our lease thanks to their location review. Saved us from a deal that would have collapsed at the SLA.”
Jessica M.Location Eligibility ReviewGoogle
“Represented our Manhattan bar at a 500-Foot Hearing. Clear strategy, well-prepared exhibits, and we got the approval. Highly recommend.”
Marco P.500-Foot HearingGoogle
“Helped us open our Long Island wine shop start to finish — entity formation, lease review, and the SLA application. Responsive every step of the way.”
Priya S.Liquor Store LicensingGoogle
“We had an SLA violation that could have shut us down. They negotiated a sensible resolution and kept us open. Genuinely grateful.”
Alex T.SLA DefenseGoogle
“Professional, thorough, and knew every Community Board in Queens. Our application was approved on the first pass.”
Karen H.Community Board RepresentationGoogle
Why hire a liquor license attorney
The process penalizes small mistakes
The SLA does not warn you before rejecting a filing — it just rejects it. An attorney's job is to make sure the file is right the first time.
The SLA application is unforgiving
A missed disclosure, an incomplete diagram, or the wrong method-of-operation language can push your file to the bottom of the queue for weeks. An experienced attorney front-loads the work so the examiner has nothing to reject.
Location problems are fatal — and invisible
Most disqualifying issues (200-Foot, 500-Foot, zoning, C of O) are locked in the moment you sign the lease. A pre-lease review takes 24 hours and can save an entire deal.
Community Boards run on relationships
Every borough handles applications differently. We know the committee chairs, understand what each board wants to see, and negotiate stipulations that are workable for your business.
500-Foot Hearings are public-interest cases
This is not a paperwork exercise — it's an evidentiary hearing. We assemble the economic, neighborhood, and operational record the SLA needs to say yes.
Common mistakes
Six ways applications get delayed or denied
Every issue below is preventable with attorney counsel before the file is submitted.
Signing a lease without a 200-Foot check
Once the lease is signed, options collapse. We map the school and place-of-worship distance the same day.
Underestimating the 500-Foot Rule
Three or more on-premises full liquor licenses within 500 feet trigger a mandatory public-interest hearing that many applicants are unprepared for.
Filing with a defective C of O
A Certificate of Occupancy that doesn't authorize eating and drinking use is one of the most common examiner rejections.
Missing the Community Board 30-day notice
The SLA won't accept a full on-premises filing until the 30-day board notice has been served and the appearance made.
Weak method-of-operation drafting
Overly broad operating hours or entertainment language triggers pushback from both the Community Board and the SLA examiner.
Ignoring true-party-in-interest rules
Any undisclosed owner, financier, or lender is a violation. The SLA treats non-disclosure very seriously.
Free case review · Location eligibility in 24 hours
Talk to a New York liquor license attorney today.
What we handle
Full-service liquor licensing counsel
Restaurant Licenses
On-premises full liquor, wine, and beer-and-wine licenses for full-service restaurants across New York.
Bar & Tavern Licenses
Tavern Wine and full on-premises liquor licensing for bars and lounges — including 500-Foot Hearing representation.
Liquor Store Licenses
New off-premises liquor and wine stores, ownership changes, and retail compliance under the ABC Law.
Temporary Permits
Temporary retail permits so acquired businesses can keep operating while the permanent license is pending.
Community Board Filings
Full representation before all NYC Community Boards, including exhibits, principal prep, and stipulation drafting.
500-Foot Hearings
Public-interest hearing preparation and appearance before the Members of the Authority.
How the process works
From location review to license issuance
24 Hours
Step 1
Location & Eligibility Review
Confirm 200-Foot eligibility, 500-Foot exposure, zoning, and Certificate of Occupancy before you commit.
3–4 Weeks
Step 2
Community Board Strategy
Prepare the principal, build exhibits, negotiate method-of-operation stipulations.
4–6 Weeks
Step 3
SLA Application Preparation
Full application package — ownership, financials, diagrams, lease, and method-of-operation.
Ongoing
Step 4
Filing & Examiner Response
File with the SLA, resolve deficiencies, and handle any 500-Foot Hearing.
Ongoing
Step 5
Approval & Compliance
License issuance, proper posting, and ongoing renewal and alteration counsel.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What does a liquor license attorney actually do?
A liquor license attorney handles location eligibility review, Community Board representation, drafting the SLA application, responding to examiner deficiencies, appearing at 500-Foot Hearings, and defending clients in SLA violation proceedings. The attorney's job is to remove risk from a process that penalizes small mistakes with long delays.
When should I hire a liquor license attorney?
Ideally before you sign a lease. A pre-lease location review is the highest-leverage step in the entire process, because most disqualifying issues cannot be fixed after the lease is executed.
How much does a liquor license attorney cost?
Fees vary by license type and complexity. A full on-premises application with a Community Board appearance and possible 500-Foot Hearing is a larger engagement than a Beer & Wine filing or a straightforward liquor store transfer. We quote flat fees where possible and explain scope in writing before you engage.
Do I need an attorney for a Beer & Wine license?
It is not required, but the application still requires accurate disclosures, a compliant method-of-operation, and the correct C of O. Many first-time applicants who file pro se end up hiring an attorney after their file is deficient.
Can you handle a liquor license transfer?
Yes. We handle both asset and stock transfers, structure the deal for SLA approval, and use temporary retail permits so the business can keep operating during the transition.
What if the SLA has already served me with a violation?
Do not respond without counsel. We answer the Notice of Pleading, negotiate civil penalties where appropriate, and defend against suspension or revocation before the ALJ and the Members of the Authority.
Do you handle nightclub and lounge licensing?
Yes — including cabaret method-of-operation drafting, security plans, and 500-Foot Hearing representation for high-density Manhattan and Brooklyn locations.
Do you serve Long Island as well as NYC?
Yes. We represent restaurants, bars, and liquor stores across Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the five boroughs.
Speak with a New York liquor license attorney today
Location reviews within 24 hours. Full SLA representation from application through approval and compliance.