Elizabeth A. DeConti - Attorney at Law

Elizabeth A. DeConti Attorney At Law

Elizabeth A. DeConti - Attorney at Law

Shareholder

elizabeth.deconti@gray-robinson.com

T 813.273.5000
F 813.273.5145
D 813.273.5159
 Tampa 401 East Jackson Street Suite 2700 Tampa, Florida 33602

Focus

Elizabeth DeConti has spent more than 20 years focusing her law practice on the unique area of alcohol beverage and food regulation. She is a shareholder in the Tampa office and is one of the original members of the firm's alcohol beverage and food law team. Prior to joining GrayRobinson, she was a partner with the Tampa office of Holland and Knight and a judicial clerk for the Honorable Antoinette L. Dupont, chief judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court. She earned her bachelor's cum laude and with distinction in Renaissance Studies from Yale University in 1993 and then received her juris doctor cum laude in 1996 from the University of Miami School of Law, where she was a Harvey T. Reid Scholar.

Elizabeth concentrates on litigation, compliance, and promotions matters related to the rules, regulations and business practices governing the marketing, sale and consumption of malt beverages, wine, distilled spirits and other regulated products in the alcohol and food industry. She represents major alcohol suppliers, wholesaler retailers, marketing companies, and other members of the hospitality industry.

Elizabeth's litigation experience in complex commercial, franchise, and intellectual property (in state and federal courts and before administrative agencies throughout the United States) gives her a strong background in drafting contracts related to advertising, distribution, importation and related issues associated with the food and beverage industry. In addition, Elizabeth has a national reputation in the area of alcohol-focused advertising and promotions and frequently advises clients on regulatory compliance issues associated with software development and digital and social media. Additionally, she is a sought-after advisor on the intersection of state and federal alcohol regulations and Federal Trade Commission regulations as they pertain to sweepstakes, contests and other games.

Elizabeth is fluent in Italian and French and advises European clients on international and domestic matters. Her international experience has included the negotiation, sale and purchase of Italian wineries, liaising with Italian law firms on litigation matters pending in Italy and the United States; representation of several German breweries; and advising and counseling foreign entities seeking to export products from Western Europe into the U.S.

Elizabeth is a member of The Florida Bar and The Connecticut Bar and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. Additionally, she is a member of the American Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. She is also a frequent lecturer to the alcohol beverage and hospitality industries. 

  • Education
    • Yale University, B.A. renaissance studies (cum laude with distinction, 1993)
    • University of Miami School of Law, J.D. (cum laude, 1996)
      • Harvey T. Reid Scholar 
  • Admissions
    • Florida (1996)
    • Connecticut (1997)
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court,  Northern District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court,  Southern District of Florida
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
    • U.S. Supreme Court 
  • Professional Associations and Memberships
    • The Florida Bar
    • The Connecticut Bar
    • American Bar Association
    • Federal Bar Association
    • Florida Supreme Court
      • Certified Circuit Court Mediator
    • Hillsborough County Bar Association
    • Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys
    • Women of the Vine and Spirits
  • Awards and Recognitions
    • AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell
    • Best Lawyers in America, Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2019-2023
    • Chambers USA, Food and Beverages: Alcohol, 2011-2017, 2021-2022
    • Florida Trend, Legal Elite, Government and Administrative, 2021
    • Florida Super Lawyers, 2006
    • Anthony G. Marshall Hospitality Law Award, 2020
    • Tampa Top Rated Lawyer, Alcohol Beverage, 2013
  • Civic
    • Yale Club of Tampa Bay
      • President, 2017 - 2019
    • Yale Class of 1993
      • Co-President, 2018 - Present
    • Sacred Heart Church, parishioner
    • United States Tennis Association ("USTA") Florida Section Foundation
      • President 
  • Languages
    • Italian
    • French 
  • Presentations and Seminars
    • Co-panelist, "Metaverse, NFT's, & Crypto Revisited," National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) 30th Annual Legal Symposium, March 15, 2023
    • "Legal Issues in the Post-Covid World," Vibe Conference, 2021
    • "Expanding Businesses Around the Globe with Judith D. Pryor, Board of Directors, EXIM," Women of the Vine and Spirits Leadership Series "C-Suite Insights, April 27, 2021
    • "How to Manage the Licensing Process in a Large-Scale Acquisition," The Virtual Hospitality Law Conference: Quick Service + Fast Casual, February 24, 2021
    • "How Suppliers Can Support Bartenders and Sommeliers Who are in Need of Funds Today," Women of the Vine and Spirits Live Chat, August 26, 2020
    • "Top Ten Things I Wish I Knew About My Liquor Licensed Premises," The Virtual Hospitality Law Conference, June 30, 2020
    • Panelist, "Are Hospitality Businesses Ready for State Emergency Orders to be Lifted?," COVID-19 Conversations Webinar Series, June 10, 2020
    • "Transfer of Property Needing Continuous Operation," 32nd Annual RPTE National CLE Conference, May 14, 2020
    • "Lending a Helping Hand – What Distilleries Should Know in Order to Legally and Responsibly Produce Hand Sanitizer," Women of the Vine and Spirits webinar, April 9, 2020
    • "Extensions of Credit and Product Returns During the COVID-19 Crisis," Women of the Vine and Spirits webinar, April 2, 2020
    • "Alcohol Advertising In Digital Media," Women of the Vine and Spirits Live Webinar, February 4, 2020
    • "Product Liability and Tainted Product," National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) 26th Annual Legal Symposium, March 18, 2019 
    • "Trade Practice Compliance in an Active Enforcement Climate," Very Important Beverage Executives Conference (VIBE), February 26, 2019
    • "Liquor Licensing for Hotel and Restaurant Acquisitions," Hospitality Law Conference, October 3, 2018
    • Panelist: "How Alcohol Beverage Companies Stand Out in 2018: Digital Brand Promotion Challenges Within the Regulatory Framework", Federal Bar Association Annual Meeting and Convention, September 13, 2018
    • "Alcohol Advertising in the Digital Age," Hospitality Law Conference, April 12, 2018
    • "Engaging Guests Through Online Sweepstakes," Hospitality Law Conference, January 11, 2018
    • "Alcohol Beverage Liability: Legal Update and Best Practices," DRI Retail and Hospitality Litigation Conference, May 4, 2017
    • "Dram Shop Review 2017," Hospitality Law Conference, April 25, 2017
    • "Trends In Alcohol Beverage Marketing for On-Premises Retailers," Hospitality Law Conference, April 24, 2017
    • "Social Media and Alcohol: Do You Know How to Mix This Cocktail?" Hospitality Law Conference, February 22, 2016
    • "The Role of Third Party Ad Agencies in Your Regulated Business," Hospitality Law Conference, February 23, 2016 
    • "Regulatory Aspects of Mergers and Acquisitions: How to Gobble Up Chains and Licensed Retailers," Hospitality Law Conference, February 10, 2015
    • "Alcohol Promotions," Hospitality Law Conference, February 10, 2015
    • "Beverage Licensing Challenges in Mixed Use Developments," Hospitality Law Conference, February 9, 2015
    • "Putting a Mixed-Use Deal Together Including Entertainment, Restaurants, EB-5 Financing, and Retail," Hospitality Law Conference, February 9, 2015
    • "Legal Issues Related to Alcohol and Food-Related Social Media Advertising Campaigns," National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals - October 11, 2012
    • Live Interactive Webinar: "Developing a Responsible Alcohol Policy," presented by HospitalityLawyer.com - November 4, 2009 
  • Articles and Publications