Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco License

We Can Help with Administrative Complaints and Licensing Issues You Have with the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (AB&T). We can assist you in obtaining your Liquor License.

Howell, Buchan & Strong, Attorneys at Law has years of experience helping professionals like you obtain a state license. If you are seeking an AB&T License, under investigation, or have received an Administrative Complaint we can assist you to attain a license or avoid stricter more costly penalties and discipline.

We Help with Your Liquor Licensing Needs

Howell, Buchan & Strong, Attorneys at Law focuses its practice on assisting those with alcohol licenses and those seeking alcohol licenses. We are headquartered in Tallahassee, a few miles away from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DPBR), and Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (AB&T).

Our law firm is experienced in providing legal counsel on various licensing needs. Howell, Buchan & Strong can:

• Prepare your Application for Licensure
• Review your Administrative Complaint and all Other Documentation
• Prepare a Legally Sufficient Response to your Administrative Complaint
• Provide Representation before the Department of Business and Professional Regulation
• Provide Representation in Formal Administrative Proceedings 
• Provide Advice on what is Required for Success

We have over 30+ years of combined experience representing clients throughout the State of Florida. Our deep knowledge of state government and its agencies, administrative law, and state regulations benefit our clients who need qualified representation and advice with obtaining, applying for, and keeping liquor licenses.

Licensing Applications and Denials

There are dozens of licenses that are given to those in the alcohol and tobacco business. The maze of licensing applications can be tedious and confusing. Let us help guide you! There are certain legal requirements you must satisfy to attain your license. In some instances, your license application may be denied. We can assist you through the process and help you avoid many of the common pitfalls and mistakes, which will save you and your business valuable time.

Licensing Renewals

To maintain your license, all licensees must comply with post-licensing or continuing education requirements and pay the necessary renewal fees.  These requirements also apply to those licensees with a suspended license. Don’t go through the process alone, we can guide you through unknown hurdles and common pitfalls that may arise.

Administrative Complaints

If you receive an Administrative Complaint from the Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), should you go it alone and speak with the investigator? Should you ignore the complaint? Complaints from patrons? Should you speak with the DPBR Attorney? Never risk your application or your license by going unrepresented.

Should you speak to the DBPR attorney after you have received an administrative complaint against your license? Should you accept the first settlement offer? Should you go it alone at the final action hearing? Our firm can help you through the administrative complaint process. We will assist you with responding to the administrative complaint, appear on your behalf for trial at the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), to the final action meeting in front of DPBR. Your license is too important to take chances alone and risk disciplinary action, denial of a license, or loss of license. Howell, Buchan & Strong, Attorneys at Law can help you.

Representation in Formal Administrative Proceedings

If you contest material facts in the complaint against you by the DBPR, it may be in your best interest to file a Petition for a Formal Hearing. Formal administrative hearings are referred to Florida’s Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) where an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will preside over your case. Our Attorneys have extensive experience representing clients’ interests in front of Administrative Law Judges in formal proceedings. If you contest the facts charged against you by DBPR, our Attorneys will represent you and your license.