Stacy C. Kula

Biography

Stacy Kula has a fast-paced and intense legal practice where almost every matter is urgent and time-sensitive. Stacy’s practice is focused in the hospitality and tourism industry with a niche area in the sophisticated and complicated area that is the alcohol beverage industry. Within that industry, Stacy’s clients are a combination of alcohol manufacturers, including distilleries, breweries, and wineries, as well as retailers. She has experience with national franchises, bars, and nightclubs, themed restaurants, caterers, amusement parks, grocery stores, big-box retailers, hotels, and many others. Stacy enjoys the excitement of working with her clients. She has applied for hundreds of alcoholic beverage licenses, representing almost every type of licensee. With her knowledge and hands-on approach, clients also depend on Stacy to defend actions brought by governmental and regulatory agencies, including defending licensees against allegations of misconduct and alcohol violations. Throughout the years, Stacy has been able to develop solid relationships with federal, state, and local regulators and is considered a friend to her clients.

Outside of her hospitality work, Stacy is known as a savvy business lawyer who helps clients form entities, negotiate and document business deals, purchase and lease real estate, and a host of other services during every phase of the lifecycle of a business.

When clients interact with Stacy, they experience her drive, her passion for learning, and her willingness to go above and beyond to make them successful.

Stacy is a frequent author on topics related to the alcoholic beverage industry. Some of her articles are noted below.

“Avoiding the Pitfalls of Partnerships in the Distilling Business: Till Death or Litigation Do Us Part”, Distiller Magazine, originally published Fall 2015

“A Spirited Voyage: How to Avoid the Excise Tax by Exporting“, Distiller Magazine, originally published Winter 2016

“What the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 Means Today”, Distiller Magazine, originally published Fall 2017

Licensed In

  • Kentucky
  • North Carolina

Education

  • J.D. North Carolina Central University School of Law
  • LL.M. University of Florida (Taxation)
  • B.S. University of Maryland

Memberships

  • National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Attorneys (NAABLA)
  • National Association of Licensing Compliance Professional (NALCP)
  • Board Member, Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys (AHIA)
  • Focus Louisville
  • Leadership Lexington
  • Women Leading Kentucky
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • North Carolina Central Law Journal, Casenote Editor and Staff Coordinator
  • North Carolina Central University, Susie Sharp Inn of Court
  • North Carolina Central University, Trial Advocacy Board
  • North Carolina Central University, Civil Procedure Teaching Assistant

Achievements

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Food and Beverage Law (2025), Franchise Law (2024-Present), Leisure and Hospitality Law (2022-Present)

Speaking Engagements

  • The ABCs of Alcohol Beverage Control
  • Kentucky Law Changes Affecting Retail Licensees, 2013
  • Lifting the Spirits of Kentucky: How the 2013 Legislative Changes Impact the Alcohol Industry
  • Bar and Restaurant Trendspotting
  • Equal Protection of Grocery Stores in the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages

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