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Phone: (717) 941-1211
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Kenneth J. McDermott, Esq.
Senior Counsel
Kenneth J. McDermott practices in the firm’s Hospitality, Business & Corporate and Commercial Litigation Groups. He represents beverage retailers, distributors, restaurants, hotels, bars, private clubs, music and entertainment venues, breweries, wineries, distilleries and other liquor licensees on all aspects of liquor licensing and alcohol law.
Ken is experienced in defending claims before the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement and in state and federal court. He regularly represents clients with their litigation, corporate and business operations, construction and intellectual property matters. He participates in and presents to several industry-related organizations including the Brewers of Pennsylvania Association.
Ken served as a law clerk to Justice J. Michael Eakin of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. During his clerkship, he prepared opinions on numerous significant legal issues including land development, uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance, trustee compensation and capital murder.
After receiving his J.D. from Pennsylvania State University’s Dickinson School of Law, Ken was an Associate with a construction litigation firm and was most recently an Associate at Tucker Arensberg where he provided legal counsel to hospitality and alcohol industry clients.
Practices
Education
Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, J.D., 2007
Indiana University of Pennsylvania, B.A. Economics, summa cum laude, 2004
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Memberships
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Cumberland County American Inn of Court
Ancient Order of Hibernians
Community Involvement
Harrisburg Area Community College Brewing Science Certificate Program, Instructor
Harrisburg Beer Week, Advisor
Brewers of Pennsylvania, Associate Member
Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, Associate Member
Wills for Heroes, Volunteer
Speaking Engagements and Publications
“Thinking outside the box – creative options for businesses seeking a PA liquor license in a competitive marketplace,” Bill Gladstone Group’s Harrisburg Commercial Real Estate Review, May 1, 2020
The Brewery Science Certificate Program, Harrisburg Community College and the Brewers of PA January 2020
“Marijuana and Beer – Is this Bud for You?,” Brewers of Pennsylvania, Mid-Atlantic Brewers Symposium, October 2018
“Brew-Vitalization: Impact of Breweries on Local Redevelopment,” Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management (APMM), Annual Meeting, May 2016
Relevant Experience
Orchestrated several licensing transactions that were the first to be accomplished in Pennsylvania
Assisted an international hotel brand in securing a liquor license for a newly renovated hotel in Center City Philadelphia
Defended an international retailer against premises liability and property damage claims
Represented a brewery in a claim against a manufacturer related to defective glass bottles
Pursued mechanics’ lien claims for a national factoring company
Assisted a national nursing home operator with obtaining guardianships for its incapacitated residents
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