McGuireWoods Announces Food and Beverage Industry Team

February 27, 2012

McGuireWoods LLP announced today the creation of a new Food and Beverage Industry team in response to client needs. With the enactment of the Food Safety and Modernization Act in 2011, the food and beverage industry has experienced the most sweeping reform in recent decades. The team, which includes attorneys from several practice groups throughout the firm, will focus on representing clients that are facing the unique challenges of executing a successful business model; overcoming complex distribution and supply chain hurdles; and managing increased governmental oversight and the constant risk of costly litigation relating to food and product safety. Team leader Kate Hatcher, a partner in the firm’s Charlotte office, represents clients with both domestic and international procurement and supply chain needs. Prior to joining McGuireWoods, she spent five years as in-house counsel at an S & P 500 company.

“For the food and beverage industry, which extends across a wide spectrum of our clients and continues to grow and evolve, the challenges have never been more complex, and the risk of costly litigation has never been higher,” said Hatcher. “It is a rapidly growing and challenging industry and, because our experience touches each sector of the market, we are pleased to offer a multi-pronged approach to finding solutions for our clients.”

“As we looked at how our clients’ needs in this area continue to change, we wanted to offer a better approach to help them reach business oriented solutions to the multitude of issues they are facing,” said Tom Cabaniss, managing partner of McGuireWoods. “We are looking forward to having Kate’s leadership as we bring this new team to our clients.”