Sixth Street is the one stop resource for live music, clubs, events, dining, lodging, entertainment, art, bands and more

Kareem T. Hajjar is a partner in Hajjar Sutherland Peters & Washmon LLP, a full-service business law firm located in historic downtown Austin, Texas, and whose practice is specialized in bar and restaurant law. Mr. Hajjar’s practice includes the representation of hundreds of bars, restaurants, convenience stores, liquor stores, wineries, breweries and other hospitality businesses located throughout the United States. His practice areas include:

Practice Areas

Alcohol Permits

The acquisition of Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission liquor permits and beer licenses, including but not limited to liquor permits, beer permits, beverage cartage permits, brewer’s permits, caterer’s permits, distiller’s and rectifier’s permits, food and beverage certificates, minibar permits, mixed beverage permits, late night hours permits, package store permits and tasting permits, private club permits, private storage permits, excursion boat permits, railway permits, wine bottler’s permits, winery permits, brewpub licenses, importer’s licenses, manufacturer’s licenses, retail dealer’s on and off-premises licenses, temporary licenses and permits, and wine and beer retailer’s permits.

Construction

The negotiation and drafting of design and construction contracts, as well as in litigation and arbitration of construction disputes for many issues, including but not limited to defects in construction, design, and related products, claims for delay, claims for payment, mechanic’s lien disputes, payment and performance bond claims, warranty claims and completion claims. In addition, today’s construction and consumer environment requires expertise in deceptive trade practices, and express and implied warranty claims, both which are typically asserted. These disputes are usually handled in state and federal courts, and arbitration tribunals.

Contract Negotiations

Representation of bars and restaurants in numerous types of contractual negotiations and documentation including employment agreements, chef contracts, vendor and supplier contracts, point of sale system agreements, management agreements, entertainment agreements, license agreements, intellectual property agreements, and any other agreement related to the bar and restaurant industry.

Corporate Formation and Governance

The planning, analysis, and implementation of the appropriate entity structure for a hospitality business, including the formation of limited partnerships, multi-tiered partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures, and profit and non-profit corporations, including Subchapter-S corporations. In each entity, attention is paid to ensure a proper balance of the tax, liability protection, financing and operational aspects.

Land Use and Municipal Issues

The acquisition of governmental approvals for all types of hospitality projects, including bars, restaurants, convenience stores, liquor stores, wineries, and breweries. This involves interaction with government technical and legal staff, the appearance in public hearings before elected or appointed city councils, county commissioners’ courts, zoning and planning commissions, and environmental boards. Further, this includes negotiation and interaction with neighborhood associations and other special interest advocacy groups. The issues commonly pursued and obtained are municipal approvals for annexation, zoning, Chapter 245 grandfathering claims, development agreements, amendments to neighborhood plans and master plans, subdivision plats, site development plans, variances, and utility extensions.

Litigation

Representing bars and restaurants on a broad range of matters in the areas of commercial and sophisticated civil litigation. This representation includes all aspects of state and federal litigation and appellate work, mediation and arbitration. Litigation matters include construction, commercial real estate, partnership, shareholder, land use, commercial landlord/tenant, executive employment, employment contract, product liability, breach of warranty, insurance coverage, negligence, wrongful death, catastrophic personal injury and general contract disputes.

Mergers & Acquisitions

The representation of sellers, purchasers and targets in all negotiated and non-negotiated acquisition methods, including tender offers, proxy contests, roll-up transactions, management buyouts, joint ventures, partnerships, and leveraged acquisitions.

Private Offerings of Debt and Equity Securities

The representation of bars and restaurants in the formation, tax structuring, regulatory compliance and execution of a private equity transaction. This includes formation, the organization of private equity funds and assistance with capital raising, complex tax concerns, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships, leveraged buyouts, acquisition finance, management and employee participation and incentive programs, and the entire spectrum of private offerings of debt and equity. Further, clients are given assistance and counsel in evaluating opportunities, structuring financing arrangements and devising exit strategies. By representing so many bars and restaurants, it is also possible to leverage the footprint of the firm to assist clients effectively and efficiently find a buyer, seller, or investment partner. – Collapse

Real Estate Acquisition and Leasing

The representation of bars and restaurants in all aspects of real estate, including construction, construction loans, commercial financing, mortgage lending, acquisitions and sales of commercial real estate, leasing, and landlord-tenant matters. Examples of these issues include the preparation, negotiation and review of leases in commercial shopping centers, mixed use developments, pad sites or stand alone buildings; the purchase of property for the development of hospitality businesses; and the acquisition of financing for the purchase or finish-out of those businesses.

Trademarks and Intellectual Property

The security and acquisition of state and federal trademarks so as to protect the valuable trademark and copyright assets of bars, restaurants, and hospitality businesses, as well as to defend those businesses from infringement by third parties. This includes due diligence efforts involving trademarks, copyright claims and domain names, the registration of trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and Office of the Secretary of State, and the filing or defense of trademark litigation (primarily in U.S. Federal Court).

Comments are closed.