The Law Offices Edward A. Taraskus, P.C.
Liquor Licensing & Beverage Law
The Law Offices of Edward A. Taraskus, P.C. have been representing liquor licensees and hospitality industry members in Pennsylvania since 1978 and, on behalf of their clients, have appeared before the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the Pennsylvania Office of Administrative Law Judge, the various courts of Common Pleas, and appellate courts in Philadelphia, and throughout Pennsylvania.
Specializing in liquor licensing representation, we will help you navigate Pennsylvania’s Liquor Control Board regulations so that you can focus on doing what you do best – running your beverage and hospitality business.
Off-premises Catering Permits
The recent changes to the Liquor Code has increased the number of the Off Premises Catering Permits that a qualified licensee can obtain in a calendar year from 50 to 52. This obviously is not by any standard a significant increase. However the overall procedural...
read moreAge Compliance Program – Be Vigilant
Licensees are still being cited for sales to minors as a result of Pennsylvania’s Age Compliance Program, which is administered by the State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement. I have written about this program in past columns and is worth revisiting since...
read moreAbout Our Firm
Edward A. Taraskus, PC is conveniently located in the heart of Philadelphia, a city with a thriving restaurant, bar, hotel and club scene.
The firm’s legal services cover all aspects of liquor licensing including:
- Advice and consultation in the buying, selling and transferring of liquor licenses for restaurants, taverns, hotels, distributorships, music and entertainment venues, private clubs, performing art facilities, public venues and other facilities
- Representation of licenses before the PLCB, the Office of Administrative Law Judge, Courts of Common Pleas and appellate courts in Pennsylvania
- Agreements of Sale
- Transfer of liquor licenses
- Renewal of liquor licenses
- Liquor Code citations and violations
- Defense of nuisance bar proceedings
- Representation for non-renewal actions
- Special Occasion Permits
- Off-Premises Catering Permits
- Interface with PLCB
- Negotiations with neighborhood and civic associations
- Purchasing and leasing of real estate
- Loan transactions
- Management contracts
About Us
Edward A. Taraskus
With over 40 years of legal experience in the alcohol industry, Edward A. Taraskus is recognized statewide as an expert in liquor law.
Ed began his legal career as an Assistant Attorney General in the Pennsylvania Justice Department representing the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) and has a longstanding private practice dedicated to the representation of clients with businesses that touch the alcohol industry.
Ed is a frequent lecturer to industry groups and has addressed the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, the Philadelphia Bar Association and hospitality industry students at Drexel University. As the author of a legal column in The Observer, a monthly periodical for the Pennsylvania alcoholic beverage industry, Ed remains current in his field and maintains a solid network of legal and regulatory colleagues in the alcoholic beverage industry.
Admitted:
Pennsylvania Bar, 1978 – Present
Member:
American Bar Association, Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Administrative Law Section
Philadelphia Bar Association
Education:
Bachelor of Arts (1967), LaSalle University, Philadelphia PA
Juris Doctor (1973), Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia PA
Simon P. Mather
Simon has been legal assistant to Edward A. Taraskus for more than 30 years and has an intimate working knowledge of PLCB processes and procedures, enabling him to efficiently coordinate activity with the Board. He supports clients — whether small business owners or large national chains — through all aspects of liquor licensing.
Education:
Bachelor of Business Administration (1993), Temple University, Philadelphia PA
Clients
We represent liquor licensees and hospitality industry members throughout Pennsylvania including retail restaurant licensees, clubs, hotels, beer distributors, importers, museums, performing arts facilities, universities and breweries.
Below are some of our current clients:
Restaurants, Bars & Nightclubs
Royal Sushi & Izakaya
Revolutions
Chickie’s and Pete’s
Martha
Bar Hygge
Sampan Restaurant
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Rouge
Barbuzzo
Ela
Townsend
Laurel
Le Virtu
Trocadero Theatre
Union Transfer
The Foodery
Fergie’s Pub
Monk’s Café
Bayou Bar & Grill
Marathon Grill
Standard Tap
Johnny Brenda’s
North 3rd
Delilah’s Gentlemen’s Club & Steakhouse
Ted’s Montana Grill
Philadelphia Film Society
Bar Ferdinand
Woody’s Bar
Social Clubs
Voyeur Nightclub
Zee Bar
Ruba
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #5
Caterers
Cescape Event Group
Jimmy Duffy Catering
Real Estate Management & Developers
Interstate Hotels & Resorts
GF Management
OTG Management
Tower Investments
Four Corners Management
AMC Delancey
Sherman Properties, Inc.
Delaware River Waterfront
Contact Us
For more information about how The Law Offices of Edward A. Taraskus can help you navigate Pennsylvania’s Liquor Control Board regulations, please call or use this contact form.
The Law Offices Edward A. Taraskus, P.C.
Liquor Licensing & Beverage Law
The Philadelphia Building
Suite 1002 – 1315 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107-4721
Phone 215.545.3682
Fax 215.545.3687