Who We Are
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Our experience is our strongest selling point: who we are makes us different.

A Legal Firm That Gets You

We advise businesses of all sizes – from start-up brands to international public companies – and across all types, including manufacturers, importers, retailers, and marketing companies, on a wide range of beverage and general legal and compliance matters. Whether you are a small company in need of fractional general counsel or a large global player looking for regulatory or distribution counsel or compliance support, we take pride in providing the best all-around legal and compliance service within our area of expertise.

Years of in-house experience at some of the largest, most innovative beverage companies means that we bring a commercial point-of-view and experience that’s as valuable as our legal advice.
Great legal advice starts with great people—come say hello.

Shauna Barnes

Founder & Practice Group Leader - Transactional

Shauna Barnes is a nationally recognized beverage attorney and the founder of Barnes Beverage Group. She created the firm to advise beverage companies of all sizes on legal and compliance matters with a focus on providing business-centric, risk-based counsel. Shauna has nearly fifteen years of beverage counsel experience — a majority of that time as General Counsel at Dogfish Head — and has built a team with 50+ years of combined industry expertise. Shauna is known for her practical approach to distribution strategy, regulatory solutions, legislative advocacy, and risk management. From nano breweries to publicly-traded companies, her clients benefit from her deep understanding of the beverage landscape and her knack for crafting creative, litigation-avoiding solutions.

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Our Compliance Team

Our compliance team has decades of experience managing client reporting and licensing management. This group of non-attorney professionals is led by our Director of Compliance, Mary Rait.

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Making A Difference / Awards / Testimonials

"Availability, kindness and practical knowledge based on experience separates the Barnes Beverage Group from any other firm I have worked with."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2026

"She has a deep well of knowledge and a highly practical approach to delivering advice."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2026

"Shauna is an excellent attorney in all parameters."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2025

"The Barnes Beverage Group is the best-in-class team and has a get it done mindset."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2025

"The Barnes Beverage team is extremely accessible and reliable. They give sound advice telling us about every possible outcome and scenario for any given issue we have."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2026

"Shauna is extremely knowledgeable and personable."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2026

"Barnes Beverage Group stands out for the presence of a host of former in-house attorneys that understand the needs both of in-house legal teams as well as small alcohol clients."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2025

"Shauna Barnes is a great partner"

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2025

"Barnes Beverage Group's greatest strength is their incredible depth of experience and knowledge in the area of alcohol law and regulatory compliance."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2026

"Shauna is very active in the industry and very capable."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2026

"Shauna Barnes is great to work with across all levels."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2025

"Shauna Barnes is an exceptionally good industry source."

–Anonymous Client, Chambers, 2025