Member
Theodore J. Zeller III has extensive experience in liquor law, regulatory licensing, commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and litigation.
Chair of the firm’s Liquor Law Practice Group, Ted was lead counsel in a beer rights case brought against the world’s largest brewers and is now General Counsel to D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.
Ted’s lobbying efforts helped change various laws under the Pennsylvania Liquor Code. In 2010, Ted testified before the Senate Law and Justice Committee on behalf of Yuengling Brewery concerning House Bill 291, which addresses the distribution of brewed beverages in Pennsylvania.
In 2011, Ted authored portions of two different bills that were enacted into law. The bills helped small brewers by allowing more efficient and cost effective brand registration, as well as altered the package laws for brewery licenses. He also appeared before the House Liquor Committee with the Brewers of Pennsylvania in the Privatization Hearings. Most recently, his efforts helped change brewery regulations to allow for taprooms and he authored the Malt Beverage Tax Excise Credit legislation. Further, he has written extensively about Acts 39 and 166.
Ted counsels clients on the acquisition of liquor licenses and coordinates liquor license transactions with other practice areas, such as real estate, business law, financing, tax law, intellectual property, and litigation. Known throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, he also represents beer interests on a national level and advises breweries and wholesalers on state regulatory matters involving beer distribution and franchise laws. He regularly prepares distribution agreements for his clients and coordinates state and federal licensing for manufacturing and national distribution.
Ted has tried multiple cases in county and federal court, including jury trials, and hundreds of cases before arbitration panels, district justices, and administrative law judges. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Cider Guild and is General Counsel to the Brewers of Pennsylvania and represents alcohol interests in every category. Ted has helped numerous start-up breweries, wineries, distilleries, and retailers.
Ted was named a 2019 Pennsylvania Trailblazer by The Legal Intelligencer and made a cameo appearance in “Undercover Billionaire,” Episode 1 -2, as himself giving advice on how to build a brewery.
Theodore J. Zeller has earned the Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished status. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Lehigh Valley News
“‘Faster than I thought’: Officials may soon vote on changes to Allentown’s parking rules,”
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INSIGHTS Express
“Yuengling Terminated NY Distrib Boening Too; “No Distributor” in NY Market “Now”,”
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“Federal court: Gov. Wolf’s COVID restrictions on businesses and gatherings are unconstitutional,”
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“Lehigh Valley sports bars feel blindsided by Pennsylvania’s decision to cut off alcohol at 10 p.m.,”
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“5 takeaways on Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s new coronavirus orders,”
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“Beer talk: Allentown legal team to present liquor law update at Brewers of PA meeting,”
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“Move over Wegmans, Allentown’s Little Apple Market getting a liquor license,”
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“Need a liquor license? State to auction off 50 more ‘zombie’ licenses,”
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“Legislature’s six-pack beer bill could harm small distributors,”
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“Weis, Giant grab restaurant liquor licenses in Lehigh County in first auction,”
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“State to auction off first batch of restaurant liquor licenses. Will it lower prices?,”
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“Promenade Shops Wants to Boot Out Pacifico, Says Restaurant Owes $200K,”
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“Pa. Alcohol Manufacturers Get Lost in the Liquor Code Maze,”
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“Rebel restaurant owners: Why some Pa. establishments are defying COVID orders,”
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“State of craft beer in Pa: How long before the suds explosion goes flat?,”
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“First Draft: Craft beer delivered to your doorstep [Podcast],”
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“Government shutdown hits Berks breweries, wineries and distilleries,”
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“Undercover Billionaire,” Episode 1 -2, cameo appearance as himself giving advice on how to build a brewery.
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“Allentown City Council Discusses Plan To Change Parking Meter Rates,”
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“Oof: Pennsylvania is trying to tack 6 percent sales tax onto brewery sales,”
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“No Way Out. Brewers say contracts with wholesalers one-sided, captive, constricting,”
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“Pa. Brewers say new beer-sale law will hurt members’ business,”
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“Area brewers, distillers share impact of liquor law changes at meeting in Phoenixville,”
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“Budweiser owners tried to keep Yuengling beer out of Mississippi, a lawsuit says,”
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“Pa. law: Truck your own beer or sign a contract for life. He chooses to truck his beer.,”
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“Massachusetts Craft Brewers Request Change in Wholesale Regulations,”
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“You might pay a little more for a beer tomorrow at breweries in Pennsylvania,”
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“Allentown Hockey Arena Developer Gets Liquor Licenses for Not-Yet-Existing Restaurants,”
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“Pa. Lawmakers Eye Overhaul of Beer Distribution Statewide,”
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“Beer Bill Could Hurt State Brewers, They Tell Senate Panel,”
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“Theodore J. Zeller Recognized as Outgoing President for the Bar Association of Lehigh County,”
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State College, PA,
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State College, PA,
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Northampton County Bar Association of Pennsylvania, 2012 Lunch Lecture Series,
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