Lisa R. Barata — Courtesy: Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
By Joshua Burd
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC has bolstered its commercial real estate team with the hiring of a longtime regulator with the state’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Lisa R. Barata, who joins the West Orange-based firm as counsel, comes to the practice after 25 years with the state agency. In the new role, CSG expects her to draw upon her vast, firsthand experience as an alcoholic beverage compliance executive and administrator to assist clients in navigating the regulatory environment surrounding the manufacture, wholesale distribution and retail sale of alcoholic beverages.
She joins the firm’s real estate, development and land use group.
“As the retail sector continues its evolution from traditional brick-and-mortar to experiential, we recognize that liquor licensing will play an even greater role in New Jersey’s business and real estate communities,” said Mitchell S. Berkey, the group’s chair. “Lisa’s unmatched knowledge of ABC law, policies and procedures will be invaluable to our clients in staying ahead of this trend and maximizing growth opportunities in current and future real estate cycles.”
With the state, Barata most recently served as a deputy attorney general in the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control in the Counsel to the Director’s Office, where she was responsible for analyzing legal and regulatory issues and advising the director; drafting legal opinions, special rulings and final agency decisions; providing legal advice interpreting Title 33; and handling appeals of municipal disciplinary actions against licensees, according to a news release. In addition, she served as the legislative liaison to the Attorney General’s Office, where she evaluated pending legislation for the division.
Previous to that, Barata served as a deputy attorney general in the division’s Enforcement Bureau, where she prosecuted violations of the law by every tier of the alcoholic beverage industry, including retail and wholesale licensees.
“During my tenure with the ABC, CSG’s attorneys were known to me as collaborative, creative thinkers and tenacious advocates for client interests. I am delighted to begin this new chapter in my career working alongside such well-respected problem solvers,” Barata said. “I look forward to using my experience to help clients navigate New Jersey’s complex alcoholic beverage environment and achieve their business objectives, as well as providing comprehensive counsel to the state’s retail, wholesale, manufacturing and e-commerce sectors.”
A graduate of the University of Delaware and the Widener University/Delaware Law School, Barata is licensed to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
