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James Niekamp

Attorney

Email: james@niekamplaw.com

Ph: (513) 429-2818

JAMES NIEKAMP

James' practice is dedicated to advising all three tiers of the alcohol beverage industry including breweries, wineries, distilleries, distributors and retailers.  James’ practice includes regulatory compliance, due diligence, and M&A counsel relating to federal (TTB), state (Ohio Division of Liquor Control) and local laws governing the sale, manufacturing, distribution, importation and marketing of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and spirits.  

 

James works closely with alcohol producers on various issues, including TTB investigations and audits, permitting issues, and general regulatory compliance.  His clients range from start-ups to publicly traded corporations.

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Prior to Niekamp Law Ltd, James practiced at the Cincinnati law firm Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP (now Bricker Graydon LLP), where he was the firm's dedicated attorney to alcohol law matters.  During this time, he provided liquor law counsel to various breweries, distilleries, wineries, and restaurants.  He also worked closely with developers leading the effort to revitalize Cincinnati's historic Over the Rhine district. 

EXPERIENCE

  • Served as seller-side TTB regulatory counsel on sale of alcohol industry member in $1 billion sale. 

  • Served as buyer-side TTB regulatory counsel on purchase of beverage and industrial alcohol producer complex for approximately $200 million. 

  • Served as buyer-side TTB regulatory counsel on tobacco manufacturing plant in $14 million stock purchase.

  • Served as lead M&A counsel on seller-side ATF regulated environmental recycling firm in $22 million asset sale.

  • Legal counsel for multiple chain restaurants that operate across the US.

  • Serve as outside general counsel for multiple alcohol producers that sell products nationwide.

  • Served as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps Army Reserve Component from 2016 to 2024.

EDUCATION

  • J.D., 2013, University of Cincinnati College of Law, Cincinnati, Ohio 

  • B.A., 2009, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Ohio 

  • Kentucky

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • “Federal Liquor Law” Speaker – Ohio Bar Association Booze, Bullets & Bingo CLE, 4/26/2022, Columbus, OH

  • “TTB Permits and Compliance” Speaker – Moonshine University, 3/29/2022, Louisville, KY

  • “Wine Law: An Inside Look” Speaker – NBI, 1/27/2022

  • “The Dos and Don’ts of Wholesale Distribution Contracts” Speaker – Ohio Craft Brewer’s Conference, 1/18/2022, Cincinnati, OH

  • “Federal Liquor Law” Speaker – Ohio Bar Association Booze, Bullets & Bingo CLE, 4/28/2021, Columbus, OH

  • “The TTB Permit Process” Speaker – Ohio Craft Brewer’s Conference, 2/5/2020, Dayton, OH

  • “TTB Permits and Compliance” Speaker – Moonshine University, 1/21/2020, Louisville, KY

  • “Hemp Law Updates” Speaker – Kentucky Bar Association, 10/10/2019, Pikeville, KY

  • “The Federal Distillery Permit Process” Speaker – American Distilling Institute, 3/24/2019, Denver, CO

  •  “TTB Confidential – Tips and Tricks from an Agency Insider” Speaker – Ohio Craft Brewer’s Conference, 1/9/2019, Columbus, OH

  • “Ask the Experts Panel” Speaker – Ohio Distiller’s Guild, 4/22/2019, Columbus, OH

  • “The Federal Distillery Permit Process” Speaker – American Distilling Institute, 3/27/2018, Portland, OR

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