Kathleen Barnes, Former Assistant Director of California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Joins Pillsbury in Sacramento

“We are thrilled with Kathi’s decision to join Pillsbury after her many years at the ABC,” said Sacramento office managing partner Carrie Bonnington, who is also the leader of the firm’s Wine Beer & Spirits Law practice. “Her decades of experience with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and her extensive connections throughout California will greatly benefit our Wine, Beer and Spirits clients.”

Barnes served as a member of the Department’s executive staff for eight years and was responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing the licensing, enforcement, and administrative functions of 12 field offices and specialized units in the Department’s Southern California division where she participated in and implemented policy and regulatory development and revision, personnel development and allocation. In addition, Barnes served as Department investigator for background, Internal Affairs, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) investigations.

“Since the start of my career, I have known Pillsbury as an industry leader in representing alcohol beverage clients,” said Barnes. “I am excited to bring the extensive relationships and experience I have gained with the State of California to help advance the firm’s sterling reputation even further.”

Pillsbury’s Wine, Beer and Spirits Law practice is ranked by Chambers USA as an industry leader. Representing alcohol beverage clients for 30+ years, the firm advises wineries, distilleries, breweries, wholesalers, importers, retailers and unlicensed third parties in all areas of the alcohol beverage industry. Pillsbury regularly advises clients in connection with regulatory compliance matters as well as before federal and state alcohol beverage agencies, in general civil litigation matters and transactional matters.