Valerie L. Haber Attorney At Law

Valerie L. Haber is a Miami alcohol beverage law, liquor license attorney and food law attorney and is a shareholder in the firm’s alcohol beverage and food law practice group. She concentrates her practice on advising all three tiers of the alcohol beverage industry including wineries, breweries and distilled spirits suppliers, distributors and retailers. Valerie’s practice includes counsel relating to federal, state and local laws governing the sale, distribution, importation, manufacturing and marketing of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and spirits. Valerie works closely with national retailers, including restaurants, supermarkets, movie theater chains and other on and off-premise businesses, through all phases of development and licensing, including land use and zoning diligence and approvals. She also has experience drafting management and promotional contracts for alcohol industry members, including hotels and golf courses, and regularly advises clients on the legal risks associated with promotional activities. Valerie also assists clients with local liquor licensing and health department licensing and food law permitting and food licenses, including restaurant, hotel, and occupational licensing.

• Background

  Valerie was born and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut and lived in Geneva, Madrid and Santo Domingo before making Miami her home. She is fluent in Spanish. 

  Prior to law school, Valerie was a senior marketing manager for Sony Pictures Entertainment, where she handled the distribution of feature films and television series to broadcasters throughout Latin America. In addition to her experience in the entertainment industry, Valerie also has experience in the hospitality industry, working as part of Club Med North America’s marketing department.

  In 2002, she received her bachelor's degree in economics and spanish from Duke University. In 2012, Valerie received her juris doctor magna cum laude from the University of Miami, where she served on the Public Interest Leadership Board, and interned with the Honorable Chris McAlliley of the U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Florida.

• Education
  • Duke University, B.A. (2002)
    • Dean’s List 
    • Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority
  • University of Miami School of Law, J.D. (magna cum laude, 2012)
    • University of Miami Psychology, Public Policy and Law Journal
    • Dean’s List
    • Miami Scholars Scholarship Recipient
    • Cali "Book" Award of Excellence in Children & Youth Law Clinic
• Admissions
  • Florida
• Professional Associations & Memberships
  • Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association
  • Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW)
  • International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)
  • Trade Organization of the Nightlife & Club Industry
  • US Sommelier Association
  • The Florida Bar
  • Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Young Lawyers Division
  • Duke Alumni Association, South Florida
    • Duke Women's Initiative
  • Dade County Bar Association
• Languages
  • Fluent in Spanish
  • Conversational French
• Presentations & Seminars
  • “Best Practices in Alcohol Beverage Trade Practice Investigations,” Hospitality Law Conference: Series 2.0, Houston, April 9-10, 2019
  • “Alcohol Beverage Law Basics," Nightclub and Bar Convention, Las Vegas, March 2019
  • "Annual Legal and Legislative Update 2018," National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals (NALCP) Conference, October 3-5, 2018
  • "Beer Law," Master Brewer's Academy, 2018
  • "Beer Law," Master Brewer's Academy, 2017
  • “Booze, Brew and Beyond: A Shot of Florida Alcohol Beverage Law,” Broward County Bar Association CLE, May 31, 2017
  • "Agro & Wine," French Weeks Miami, French American Chamber of Commerce, October 30, 2015
  • Hospitality Legal Panel, Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association, September 30, 2015
• Articles & Publications
  • "TTB Clarifies Trade Practice Enforcement for COVID-19-Related Activities," hospitalitylawyer.com, June 2020
  • "TTB Clarifies Trade Practice Enforcement for COVID-19-Related Activities," May 2020
  • "Is Your Liquor License Creeping Up On Neighbors? Alcohol Beverage Distance Separation Requirements," February 2020
  • "FDACS Clarifies Hemp Industry Permitting Requirements," February 2020
  • "Alcohol Regulation (FL): Overview" Practical Law, September 2019
  • "Food and Beverage Service in Funeral Homes: Are You in Compliance?" The Independent Reporter, Fall 2019
  • "It's a Mixed Bag of Information," Southern Beverage Journal, Florida Edition July 2019
  • "Branded Malt Beverage Glassware—Florida Distributors, Take Note!" Daily Business Review, June 2019
  • "2019 Booze Bills to Watch," February 2019
  • "Top Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Lease for Your Florida Restaurant or Bar," October 2018 
  • "As State Legislatures Conclude Their Work, Florida Weighs in with New Alcohol Laws," April 2018
  • "New Law Opens Door for Orlando Restaurant Liquor Licenses," March 2018
  • Co-author, "Liquidating Liquor Licenses in Bankruptcy," Asset Sales Committee Newsletter, November 2017
  • "City of Miami Commission Paves the Way Toward Alcohol Beverage Law Cleanup," October 2017
  • "What Real Estate Brokers Need to Know About Alcohol-Related Issues," March 2017
  • "Valerie Haber Discusses Recent Legal Changes Making it Easier to Qualify for a Miami Restaurant Liquor License," December 2016
  • "TTB Cracks Down on Pay-to-Play, With Historic $750,000 Offer in Compromise," November 2016
  • "New Cider Tax Law Will Be Good For The Industry," Law360, March 2016
  • "South Florida Alcohol and Liquor Licensing – A Snapshot," March, 2016 
  • "New Federal Law Defining and Taxing Hard Cider on Track for Implementation in 2017," February 2015
  • "Federal Government Renews Call for Nationwide 0.05 BAC Limit," February 2015
  • "Congress Delays FDA’s Implementation Of Final Restaurant Menu And Vending Machine Labeling Requirements For Chains With 20+ Locations," January 2016
• Awards & Recognitions
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2019-2021
  • Daily Business Review, Florida Trailblazers, 2020
  • Florida Trend, Legal Elite, Up and Comer, 2019
• Media Mentions
  • "Behind the Deal: Distillery Backed by Former NFL Players Coming to Miami's Allapattah Neighborhood," South Florida Business Journal, July 2, 2021
  • "How I Made Partner: 'Wit, Personality and a Good Book of Business,' Says GrayRobinson's Valerie Haber," Law.com, February 18, 2021
  • "Which Liquor License is Right?" Southern Beverage Journal, Florida Edition, October 2020
  • "What Florida Restaurants Owners Need to Know Before Closing Their Businesses," South Florida Business Journal, August 2020
  • "What to Do if an Employee at Your Restaurant has COVID-19," South Florida Business Journal, June 2020
  • "Cover Story: Where's the Next Wynwood?" South Florida Business Journal, March 2020
  • “South Florida Food Trucks Proceed with Caution,” South Florida Business Journal, September 2019