Marbet Lewis

Education

• St. Thomas University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
• Florida International University, B.A., Political Science, cum laude

Bar Admissions

• Florida

Languages

• Spanish

• Cuban American Bar Association (CABA), Member
• National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), Member
• National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Attorneys (NAABLA), Member
• 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 Vine & Spirits, Brand Ambassador

Presentations

• Panel Moderator, “AI Revolution: What are the Regulatory Implications of Creating a ‘Smart’ Alcohol Beverage Industry?”, National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA), June 18, 2024
• Featured Speaker, "Episode 86 with Marbet Lewis," Bar Hacks Podcast, December 15, 2022
• Panel Moderator, “Trending Topics on Breaking Barriers to Industry Recovery,” National Association of Licensing and Compliance Professionals (NALCP) Conference, September 23, 2022
• Speaker, "WOTVS Live Chat: Social Media 101: Learn about the Do’s and Don’ts of Advertising Alcohol Products on Social Media and Email Marketing," Women of the Vine & Spirits, August 16, 2022
• Speaker, "Working Parents & Work-Life Balance," Women of the Vine & Spirits, July 13, 2022
• Presenter, "NCSLA 2022 Annual Virtual Conference, Session #5: Mystery Marketplace -- The Variations of U.S. Alc.," NCSLA, June 2022
• Speaker, "Alcohol Beverage Law 2022: Specific Alcohol Industry Issues and Trends," Practising Law Institute (IPL), May 2022
• Host, "Working Mothers Group Live Chat," Women of the Vine & Spirits, July 15, 2021
• Speaker, "Breaking Barriers: DE&I Leadership Series - CM Only," Women of the Vine & Spirits, June 16, 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
• Radio Interview on "Spiritus Law’s Expertise in the Hospitality and Entertainment Industries," BizTalk Radio, October 23, 2020
• TV Interview on Segment Titled "Miami-Dade Restaurant Owners Prepare For Indoor Dining Restrictions," CBS4 News Miami, July 8, 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
• TV Interview on Segment Titled "Restaurants Reopening During Pandemic Have To Walk A Fine Line," CBS4 News Miami, June 23, 2020
• Live TV Interview on Segment Titled "Coronavirus Interview: Food & Beverage Attorney Marbet Lewis," CBS4 News Miami, May 14, 2020
• 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
• 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
• Presentation of “Fostering Diversity & Inclusion Award” to Martin Voke - Vice President/Deputy General Counsel/Assistant Secretary for Bacardi North America, 3^rd Annual CEO & General Counsel Gala, April 15, 2019
• 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

Publications

• Quoted, 3 Big Picture Trends Set to Drive Business in 2023, CO, March 28, 2023
• Q&A, "The Widening Reach of AI", Craft Spirits Magazine March/April Issue, March 22, 2023
• Quoted, "SunnyD Unveils Alcohol Version" CSP, March 20, 2023
• Authored, "Article 4: Social Media Advertising Guidelines Create a Web of Prohibited Practices" PLI Chronicle, February 22, 2023
• Quoted, "Why a Luxe S.F. Retirement Community is Using Robots to Serve Dinner" San Francisco Chronicle, February 14, 2023
• Quoted, "How the new generation of AI will impact the restaurant industry," Nation's Restaurant News, February 9, 2023
• Quoted, "Different Strokes: Amid Changing Tastes, Innovation is One Way Out of the Rough for Golf in Florida," Florida Trend Magazine, February 3, 2023
• Quoted, "Offering Beer, Wine and Liquor To-Go," Pizza Today, February 1, 2023
• Quoted, " "Distressed Deals, QSR Buys May Drive 2023 Restaurant M&A," Restaurant Dive Magazine, January 4, 2023
• “Increased Demand and Limited Supply: Ongoing Supply Chain Disruptions in Alcohol Production, Distribution, and Retail Industries Add to Inflation Stress,” PLI Chronicle, August 24, 2022
• Quoted, “Developers Are Upping Their Game on Amenities to Stay Competitive in South Florida,” Daily Business Review, July 18, 2022
• Quoted, “Florida Boutique Rejects Seniority in Favor of Merit-Based Pay,” Law360 Pulse, June 15, 2022
• Quoted, “This Law Firm is Ditching Partner and Associate Titles. Will it Improve Team Culture?" Daily Business Review, July 11, 2022
• Quoted, “How 6 Months of Client Nonpayment Made Spiritus Law Better,” Daily Business Review, April 14, 2022
• Quoted, “We’re in For a Rough Ride’: How Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine is Affecting South Florida Real Estate,” Daily Business Review, March 4, 2022
• Quoted, “How the War in Ukraine is Affecting the Bar Industry,” Bar Business Magazine, March 3, 2022
• "Liquor Licensing 101 for Restaurants in Recovery," Bar Business Magazine, November 18, 2021
• "Liquor Licensing 101 for Restaurants in Recovery," Modern Restaurant Management, October 19, 2021
• Q&A, "Marbet Lewis of Spiritus Law: “Endurance,” Thrive Global, October 28, 2021
• Quoted, "The 5 Things You Need To Become A Top Lawyer In Your Specific Field of Law," Authority Magazine, October 26, 2021
• "The Road Toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Alcohol Industry," PLI Chronicle: Insights and Perspectives for the Legal Community, June 21 2021
• Q&A "Distinguished Leaders: Alcohol Attorney Marbet Lewis Guided Hospitality Industry Through Turbulent Year," Daily Business Review, June 1, 2021
• "NATIONWIDE: An Introduction to Food & Beverages: Alcohol," Chambers & Partners USA, 2021
• Quoted in "Restaurant Roundup: Como Como debuts at the Moxy; Tap 42 to expand in Q4," South Florida Business Journal, May 31, 2021
• Quoted in "To-Go Cocktails Will Stick Around in at Least 20 States After the Pandemic," CNBC, May 28, 2021
• "Lessons from the Pandemic and the Road Forward for Hospitality," Modern Restaurant Management, May 25, 2021
• "Cocktails-to-Go Legislation Supports Recovery, Innovation for Struggling Restaurant Industry," Daily Business Review, April 21, 2021
• "More Permanent Regulatory Flexibility Required to Revive Hospitality’s Long-Term Survival," Modern Restaurant Management, May 20, 2020
• Quoted in "'Another avenue to succeed': To-go cocktails become permanent in Florida," South Florida Business Journal, May 14, 2021
• Quoted in "Why the Restaurant Revitalization Fund Will Work Better Than the PPP," Globe St., May 12, 2021
• Q&A on "The Restaurant Revitalization Fund is Off to a Busy Start," Full Service Restaurant Magazine, May 4, 2021
• Featured in "DBR Announces Florida Legal Awards Honorees," Daily Business Review, March 26, 2021
• "Last Call? How will the On-Premise Hospitality Retail Industry Survive Post-Social Distancing," Food & Beverage Magazine, May 2020
• "COVID-19 Stimulus Not Enough To Revitalize Alcohol Industry," Law360, March 31, 2020
• Quoted in "Cheers! South Florida Lawyers Predict That Night Life Will Revive Hospitality Sector," The Daily Business Review, November 30, 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
• Quoted in "Miami-Dade Restaurants, Gyms Closing Again Under New Order Targeting COVID Surge," The Miami Herald, 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
• 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
• "Special Social Media and Digital Guidelines for Advertising Alcohol," South Florida Business Journal, May 8, 2020
• Quoted in "City Governments Across the Space Coast Relax Regulations to Help Restaurants Re-Open," Florida Today, May 8, 2020
• "St. Patrick’s Day Ends with Dimmed Lights. What Should Business Owners Do Now?," The Daily Business Review, March 18, 2020
• Quoted in “Recession, Technological Change Top of Mind in Law Firm Leader Outlook,” The Daily Business Review, November 12,2019
• "As Hurricane Dorian Threatens the Southeast Coast, Spiritus Law is Focused on Guiding Clients Through the Storm,” LinkedIn, August 29, 2019
• “It's About Owning What Diversity and Inclusion Should Mean and Do for Us and Clients,” The Daily Business Review, July 1, 2019
• Quoted in “NY Bill Would Make Marijuana Drug Tests a Thing of the Past,” Law Enforcement Today, April 23, 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
• “Will Riders Need to Sober Up for Uber?,” Cheers Magazine, September 15, 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
• “Pay-to-Play Schemes to Receive More Scrutiny from Department of Treasury,” FSR Magazine, April 2018
• Profiled in “Marbet Lewis: Advice from a Lawyer in the Liquor Industry,” sheBOOM Where Women Connect & Prosper, March 29, 2018
• “Tied-House Laws,” Retail & Food Best Practices, March 23, 2018
• “Reclining Seats and Premium Cocktails: New Obstacles for the Remodeled Movie-Theater Industry,” Sound & Picture, March 22, 2018
• Profiled in “Talk of the Town,” Law Magazine, February 20, 2018
• “LewisFox Partner Marbet Lewis Named Brand Ambassador for Women of the Vine & Spirits,” South Florida citybizlist, January 18, 2018
• “Pay to Play,” Artisan Spirit Magazine, Fall 2017
• “Three-Tier System Think Piece: Let’s Steer Away from Post-Prohibition Fears and Reconsider our Regulatory Schemes,” Craft Brewing Business, July 17, 2017
• 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
• “Alcohol Industry Consolidation and Regulatory Concerns,” Financier Worldwide, July 2016

News & Speaking Engagements