February 19, 2025

Foster Garvey

Foster Garvey announced the addition of principals Susan Johnson and Claire Mitchell, associate Max Fujii and paralegal Nealy Evans, who join the firm's Commercial & IP practice from Stoel Rives. The former Stoel Rives team joins forces with Foster Garvey's liquor and cannabis team, led by Emily Harris Gant.

Johnson has spent more than two decades supporting breweries, wineries, distilleries, restaurant and hotel chains and other industry stakeholders on licensing structures, distribution agreements and policy matters. She represents clients in regulatory proceedings and works closely with government agencies on legislative initiatives affecting alcohol laws. She is licensed to practice in Washington and is nationally ranked in Chambers USA.

Mitchell represents a diverse range of clients, including national grocery chains, e-commerce retailers, alcohol brand owners and entertainment venues. Her work centers on complex state and federal liquor licensing matters, promotional advertising regulations, tied house issues, sponsorship agreements and other alcohol industry transactional matters. She also to collaborates with regulators on securing mission critical and often time sensitive regulatory approvals. Mitchell serves on the board of directors of the Washington Wine Industry Foundation where she works in concert with other industry professionals to support the continued success of winemakers and vineyards in the state. She is licensed to practice in Washington, Oregon and New York and is nationally ranked in Chambers USA.

Fujii advises breweries, wineries, distilleries and retailers on federal and state liquor licensing, compliance and corporate transactions. He assists clients with permitting, tied house compliance, direct-to-consumer shipping and distributor franchise matters, and supports retail expansions, winery acquisitions and operational plans for sports and entertainment venues. He is licensed to practice in California.

Evans has more than 20 years of experience supporting attorneys and clients in the beverage and hospitality industries, and is experienced with managing multistate license portfolios for alcohol suppliers and hospitality businesses, including restaurants, hotels, cruise lines, resorts and entertainment venues.

Foster Garvey has offices in Seattle, Portland, Washington, D.C., New York, Spokane and Tulsa.