Running a restaurant, bar, hotel, or entertainment venue in Texas means navigating a web of regulations that can shut you down overnight. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission controls who can sell alcohol, where, when, and how. Health departments inspect food service operations. Local zoning and permitting add more layers. Employment law applies to your staff. Dram shop liability can make you responsible when intoxicated patrons cause harm. One TABC citation or health code violation can cost thousands in fines and threaten your license.
Hospitality attorneys understand this industry’s unique legal challenges. They help businesses obtain and maintain licenses, defend against regulatory actions, structure deals for new venues, and manage the ongoing compliance obligations that come with serving food and alcohol to the public. Whether you are opening a new concept or protecting an established operation, specialized legal counsel can prevent problems that generic business lawyers might miss.
What Hospitality Attorneys Handle
TABC Licensing and Compliance
Every business selling alcohol in Texas needs proper permits from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Mixed beverage permits, wine and beer retailer permits, brewpub licenses, private club registrations, and late hours permits each have specific requirements and restrictions. Applications require detailed information about ownership, location, and operations. Attorneys guide businesses through the application process, handle protests and hearings, and help maintain compliance with advertising rules, tied house restrictions, and other TABC regulations.
Restaurant and Food Service Law
Beyond alcohol, restaurants face health department inspections, food safety regulations, and operational permits. The Texas Department of State Health Services sets standards for food handling, employee hygiene, facility construction, and waste disposal. Attorneys help with permit applications, respond to inspection violations, and advise on compliance programs. When disputes arise with health authorities, attorneys represent businesses in hearings and appeals.
Dram Shop Defense
Texas dram shop law holds alcohol-serving establishments liable for damages caused by obviously intoxicated patrons or minors they served. A single incident can result in massive liability. Hospitality attorneys help businesses develop responsible service policies, train staff on recognition of intoxication, and defend against dram shop claims when incidents occur. Some attorneys serve as expert witnesses in dram shop litigation.
Hotel and Lodging Operations
Hotels face franchise compliance obligations, management agreement disputes, guest liability issues, and employment challenges specific to 24-hour operations. Attorneys advise on franchise negotiations, operational compliance, and disputes with franchisors. They handle premises liability matters, guest disputes, and regulatory compliance with local hotel occupancy taxes and other requirements.
How to Choose a Hospitality Attorney
Industry experience. Hospitality law requires understanding the business, not just the regulations. Attorneys who have worked in the industry or represent many hospitality clients understand operational realities that affect legal decisions. Ask about their hospitality client base and industry involvement.
TABC relationships. Experienced TABC attorneys have working relationships with commission staff and understand how the agency operates. This matters when applications encounter problems or when defending against citations. Ask about their experience with TABC matters specifically.
Local knowledge. Hospitality regulation varies by city and county. Wet/dry status, local option elections, and municipal permit requirements differ across Texas. Attorneys familiar with your local regulatory environment can navigate these variations efficiently.
Responsive availability. Hospitality businesses face emergencies requiring immediate legal response. TABC agents may arrive unannounced. Health inspectors can cite violations that require quick action. Ensure your attorney can respond when urgent matters arise.
Texas Hospitality Attorneys
Monshaugen & Van Huff, P.C.
Location: Houston, Texas (serves statewide)
Website: https://texasliquorlaw.com
Phone: 713-523-5500
Monshaugen & Van Huff has established connections with TABC district offices and headquarters, the Attorney General’s office, and municipal agencies across Texas. Attorneys have over 20 years of hospitality industry experience. The practice includes TABC licensing and permitting, administrative case defense including emergency suspensions, dram shop defense and expert witness services, criminal liquor code violation defense, and compliance counseling. The firm represents restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels, and resorts throughout Texas.
Practice Focus:
- TABC licensing and permits
- Administrative case defense
- Dram shop litigation defense
- Criminal liquor code defense
- Multi-agency audit representation
Martin Frost & Hill
Location: Austin, Texas
Website: https://www.mfhliquorlaw.com
Phone: 512-494-6200
Martin Frost & Hill focuses exclusively on alcoholic beverage permitting and compliance. Attorneys have worked at TABC, the Texas Capitol, and in the industry itself. The firm represents retailers, distilleries, wineries, breweries, and importers throughout Texas and nationally. Services include TABC retail permits for restaurants, convenience stores, hotels, bars, brewpubs, private clubs, package stores, entertainment venues, and temporary events. The practice also covers advertising and marketing compliance, tied house regulations, and legislative advocacy.
Practice Focus:
- TABC retail and manufacturing permits
- Compliance counseling
- Advertising and marketing law
- Regulatory advocacy
- Multi-state expansion
Wilson Legal Group P.C.
Location: Dallas, Texas
Website: https://www.wilsonlegalgroup.com
Phone: 214-612-9308
Wilson Legal Group represents hospitality companies including department stores, grocery stores, restaurants, event venues, hotels, resorts, and spas. The practice assists with TABC permitting, health department permits, trademark protection, supplier and vendor agreements, employment matters, and dispute resolution. Attorneys handle TABC citations that can jeopardize licenses and cause economic hardship. The firm also assists with federal TTB permitting and related licenses such as tobacco retailer permits and lottery licenses.
Practice Focus:
- TABC and TTB licensing
- Health and restaurant permitting
- Hospitality transactions
- TABC citation defense
- Trademark and intellectual property
Costs and Fees
Hospitality legal fees vary by service type and complexity. TABC permit applications typically cost $1,500 to $5,000 in legal fees depending on permit type and whether protests or hearings are involved, plus TABC filing fees ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Contested applications requiring hearings may cost $5,000 to $15,000 or more. TABC citation defense ranges from $2,500 to $10,000 depending on violation severity. Dram shop litigation defense bills hourly at $250 to $500 per hour, with cases potentially costing $25,000 to $100,000 or more through trial. Many hospitality attorneys offer flat fees for routine licensing matters and ongoing retainer arrangements for established clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a TABC license?
TABC application processing typically takes 45 to 60 days for uncontested applications. If protests are filed or background check issues arise, the timeline extends significantly. Emergency temporary permits may be available in some circumstances. Planning several months ahead of your opening date is advisable, and an experienced attorney can help identify and resolve issues that might cause delays.
What happens if I get a TABC citation?
TABC citations can result in fines, license suspensions, or license cancellation depending on the violation and your compliance history. You have the right to request a hearing to contest citations. Prompt legal representation is important because responses must be filed within specific timeframes. An attorney can negotiate with TABC, represent you at hearings, and help minimize consequences to your business.
What is dram shop liability?
Under Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 2.02, businesses that serve alcohol to obviously intoxicated persons or minors can be held liable for damages those individuals cause to third parties. Liability can include injury claims, wrongful death suits, and property damage. Responsible service training, documentation of refusals, and proper policies can help reduce exposure, but insurance and legal counsel remain essential protections.
Last Updated: January 2026
Disclaimer: This directory is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, endorsement, or recommendation of any attorney or law firm. Information about attorneys and law firms was compiled from publicly available sources and may not be current or accurate. We make no representations or warranties about the qualifications, experience, or quality of any attorney listed. Fee estimates are approximations only and actual costs may vary significantly. Always verify attorney credentials with the State Bar of Texas, confirm current contact information, and conduct your own due diligence before hiring legal counsel. No attorney-client relationship is created by use of this directory.