Marbet Lewis is a first generation Cuban-American and an active member of Women of the Vine & Spirits. She has focused her practice on the laws governing the alcohol industry and the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcohol beverage products since 2004. She represents clients in all aspects of alcohol and business licensing, alcohol licensee mergers and acquisitions, negotiation of asset purchase agreements and required alcohol use provisions, license transfers and licensing due diligence, trade practices, alcohol product advertising and review of marketing agreements, importation agreements, label approvals, and regulatory compliance guidance. Her experience also includes enforcement action defense and administrative litigation, zoning and land use due diligence and approval processes, and state and local government regulatory compliance, which includes drafting municipal code ordinances and amendments as well as assisting with redistricting and development of entertainment overlay districts.
Marbet also assists clients with additional business permitting including obtaining business tax receipts, building permitting, certificates of use and occupancy and other related operational permits, as well as representing various entertainment, hospitality, and alcohol industry clients during the zoning approval process, including representation before zoning boards for approval of variances, special exceptions, and use nonconformity issues as well as representation for zoning appeals cases. She has assisted with transfer of business and operational permits required as part of large asset acquisition transactions and merger of national retailers including hotels and entertainments venues such as movie-theaters.
She works with domestic and foreign suppliers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and a broad range of retailers, including nightclubs, bars, movie theater operators, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacy chains.
Marbet is proficient in Spanish and has been a featured guest on Nuestro Mundo and A Fondo.
- Distinguished Leader, Daily Business Review, 2021
- Top Lawyer, South Florida Legal Guide, 2021
- Best Lawyers in America: Food & Beverage Law, U.S. News & World Report, 2020, 2021
- Ranked in Nationwide Category: Food & Beverages: Alcohol, Chambers & Partners USA, 2019-2020
- Florida Trailblazer, Daily Business Review, 2019
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2017, 2018
- Outstanding Lawyers of South Florida, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s 40 Under 40, 2017
- Featured in "DBR Announces Florida Legal Awards Honorees," Daily Business Review, March 26, 2021
- Hosted the Working Mother’s Networking Lounge During the Women of the Vine & spirits CONNECT event, March 8, 2021
- Interviewed Marilee Kicks, Owner/Founder of BuzzBallz during a "C-Suite Insights Live Chat", Hosted by Women of the Vine & Spirits, March 2, 2021
- Featured Guest at the St. Thomas University Law School Dean's Virtual Honors Ceremony, February 9, 2021
- Hosted Webinar on "A COVID-19 Time Capsule: Emergency Order Impacts on the Alcohol Industry," Women of the Vine & Spirits, December 1, 2020
- Quoted in "Cheers! South Florida Lawyers Predict That Night Life Will Revive Hospitality Sector," The Daily Business Review, November 30, 2020
- Radio Interview on "Spiritus Law’s Expertise in the Hospitality and Entertainment Industries," BizTalk Radio, October 23, 2020
- Quoted in “Tootsie’s Strip Club Breaks Curfew — and Starts a COVID Bar Brawl," Miami New Times, October 20, 2020
- Quoted in “Retail’s Reopening Rollercoaster: ‘Confusion and Hesitation and Fear'," The Real Deal, October 13, 2020
- Quoted in "What South Florida Businesses Should Know About COVID-19 Liability as Florida Reopens," South Florida Business Journal, October 5, 2020
- Quoted in "Southwest Florida Bars Prepare to Reopen Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, But Will People Return?," Naples Daily News, September 11, 2020
- Quoted in "Miami-Dade Restaurants Should Avoid These Pitfalls as They Reopen Dining Rooms, Experts Say," South Florida Business Journal, August 28, 2020
- Quoted in "To-Go Drinks an Elixir for Public, a Lifeline for Business," The Associated Press, August 24, 2020
- TV Interview on Segment Titled "Miami-Dade Restaurant Owners Prepare For Indoor Dining Restrictions," CBS4 News Miami, July 8, 2020
- Quoted in "Miami-Dade Restaurants, Gyms Closing Again Under New Order Targeting COVID Surge," The Miami Herald, July 6, 2020
- TV Interview on Segment Titled "Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez to Close Restaurant Dining Rooms; Delivery & Takeout Still Allowed," Channel 7 News Miami, July 6, 2020
- Quoted in "Bars Ordered to Stop Serving Alcohol as Cases Spike," MyPanHandle.com, June 27, 2020
- Quoted in "Bars Ordered to Stop Serving Alcohol as Cases Spike," The Hernando Sun, June 26, 2020
- Quoted in "'It Wasn't Unexpected': Attorneys Assess COVID-19 Business Penalties," The Daily Business Review, June 24, 2020
- Quoted in "Fla. Leveraging Liquor Licenses To Enforce COVID-19 Rules," Law360, June 23, 2020
- TV Interview on Segment Titled "Restaurants Reopening During Pandemic Have To Walk A Fine Line," CBS4 News Miami, June 23, 2020
- Quoted in "Restaurants At Crossroads Of Trying To Stay Within COVID-Related Rules And Trying To Stay In Business," CBS4 News Miami, June 23, 2020
- Quoted in "Local Attorney Offers Tips for Restaurants to Prevent Shutdowns," South Florida Business Journal, June 23, 2020
- Quoted in "Rebuilding America: As Brevard Restaurants Come Back Online, What Does the Future Hold?," Florida Today, May 25, 2020
- Live TV Interview on Segment Titled "Coronavirus Interview: Food & Beverage Attorney Marbet Lewis," CBS4 News Miami, May 14, 2020
- Quoted in "City Governments Across the Space Coast Relax Regulations to Help Restaurants Re-Open," Florida Today, May 8, 2o20
- Presentation on "Social Media Alcohol Advertising Compliance & Best Practices," Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, May 12, 2020
- Presentation on “Let’s Get Social! Compliance & Best Practice Tips for Marketing Alcohol on Social Media,” Women of the Vine & Spirits, December 10, 2019
- Quoted in “Recession, Technological Change Top of Mind in Law Firm Leader Outlook,” The Daily Business Review, November 12,2019
- Panelist, NCSLA Northern/Southern 2019 Regional Conference, October 21, 2019
- Presentation on “Tiny but Mighty! Standing out in the Legal Crowd & Adding Value to Your Services,” St. Thomas Law School’s Solo & Small Firm Practice Program CLE Series, September 19, 2019
- Quoted in “NY Bill Would Make Marijuana Drug Tests a Thing of the Past,” Law Enforcement Today, April 23, 2019
- Presentation of “Fostering Diversity & Inclusion Award” to Martin Voke - Vice President/Deputy General Counsel/Assistant Secretary for Bacardi North America, 3rd Annual CEO & General Counsel Gala, April 15, 2019
- Quoted in “Cannabis Infused Booze – The Next Problem for Police,” Law Enforcement Today, February 19, 2019
- Quoted in "How to Open a Bar or Club,” SmallBusiness.com, December 21, 2018
- Featured in “Alcohol Lawyer Marbet Lewis Toasts a 'Roller Coaster' Career,” The Daily Business Review, October 19, 2018
- Quoted in “Is This the Summer of Spiked Seltzer?,” TheStreet, June 25, 2018,
- Commented on “With Whole Foods, Amazon Gets a Lot of Beer, and Headaches,” Bloomberg Law, Antitrust & Trade Report, July 2017
- Commented on “Obama Administration Eases Shipping, Cargo Transit Restrictions,” Cuba Standard.com, October 2016
- Presentation on “Control from a Different Angle,” NCSLA, Northern/Southern Regional Conference, 2014
- Presentation on “The Do’s and Don’ts of Mixing Movies and Mixology,” National Association of Concessionaires Show East Conference, October 21-24, 2013
- Presentation on “Be in Control! Don’t Let Your Alcohol Retail Business Control You,” Atlantic City Nightclub & Bar Convention, October 2008
- Presentation on “Party On! How to Keep Your Party Profitable, Safe and Legal,” Nightclub & Bar Beverage Retailer, October 9-11, 2006
- Cuban American Bar Association (CABA), Member
- National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), Member
- National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Attorneys (NAABLA), Member, 2007-Present
- National Association of Licensing & Compliance Professionals (NALCP), Member
- National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA), Member
- The Florida Bar, Administrative Law Section, Member
- The Florida Bar, City, County, and Local Government, Member
- Women of the Vine & Spirits, Brand Ambassador