Overview

About Max

Max Fujii counsels retail and non-retail food and alcohol businesses on a variety of corporate and regulatory matters, including procurement and maintenance of state and federal liquor licenses, resolving disputes unique to the food and beverage industry, and providing analysis on issues relating to restrictions and privileges of license types, tied-house compliance, alcohol delivery services, and more.

Complementary to his regulatory compliance and licensing work, Max works with clients to expeditiously resolve complex commercial disputes, including those relating to food and other consumer product labeling, Proposition 65, trade secrets, contracts and business, real property, and transportation.

In 2022, Max was named a Sacramento Magazine “Top Lawyer.” He is an active member of Stoel Rives’ Agribusiness, Food, Beverage, and Timber industry group and also serves on the firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee.

Max was a summer associate at Stoel Rives (2019) and at Hanson Bridgett LLP (2018). Prior to law school, Max worked as a substitute teacher.

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Experience

Representative Alcohol Beverage Licensing and Regulatory Work

Regularly manage the process for obtaining liquor licenses in Washington and Oregon on behalf of retailers, wholesalers, and wineries.
Regularly advise clients on the procedures for reporting changes of ownership or governance structure in connection with state and federal liquor licenses.
Coordinated the transfer of multiple California liquor licenses on behalf of a major golf course management company.
Provided analysis of California tied-house issues for potential expansion of client operating a chain of brewpubs, breweries, music venues, historic hotels, and theater pubs.
Provided analysis of novel tied-house issues in Washington for one of the world’s largest beverage producers.
Provided 50-state sales and licensing analysis of low-proof alcohol for one of the world’s largest e-commerce retailers.
Regularly obtain federal Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau permits on behalf of alcohol supplier clients.
Assisted in multi-state analysis of restrictions relating to cannabidiol-infused products.
Assists in alcohol licensing and regulatory matters in Washington and Oregon for a multibillion-dollar instant delivery retailer of alcohol, food, and other consumer goods.

Representative Litigation Work

Favorably resolved pre-suit litigation regarding food labeling under the FDA and California law
Favorably resolved numerous Proposition 65 matters.
Successfully defended client in reaching favorable settlement in a trade secret dispute, including successfully briefing summarily adjudicated claims.
Obtained dismissals on behalf of client in connection with multiple transportation disputes.
Drafted successful motion for summary judgment in real property dispute.
Drafted successful motion to expunge lis pendens with award of attorneys’ fees.

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Honors

Honors & Activities

Listed in Sacramento Magazine’s Top Lawyers, 2022
Member, Stoel Rives’ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Witkin Award Recipient (highest class grade) in Civil Procedure, Legal Research and Writing II, Business Associations, and Will and Trust Drafting and Administration

Professional Activities

Schwartz-Levi Inn of Court Student Member, 2019–2020

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Insights & Presentations

“Cheers to a New Year: California’s New Alcoholic Beverage Laws for 2022” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP Alcoholic Beverages Law blog, January 7, 2022

Related News & Publications

Cheers to a New Year: California's New Alcoholic Beverage Laws for 2022 - 1/6/2022

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