Clark Smith Legal P.C.
Texas Law + Policy Counsel, Distilled.
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To make it in the alcohol industry, your business doesn't just need a lawyer to push the paperwork. You need a legal partner who can help you avoid regulatory roadblocks so you can build your business to scale. That's why I launched Clark Smith Legal. My regulatory know-how and business law experience provide a one-stop shop for your business's legal needs, in Texas and beyond.
Navigating Texas alcohol law isn’t easy—and that’s exactly why I’m here.
Regulatory Guidance You Can Rely On
From licensing and compliance to long-term growth strategies, I help keep your business out of the regulator’s doghouse and on track to scale. Let’s get your business running—and keep it running strong.
Ready to talk? Get in touch and let’s build something great together.
My Expertise
What I do
Ensure your marketing practices align with TABC policy.
The TABC and federal legal landscape for marketing practices is complicated, to say the least. Let's make sure your advertising, digital marketing, and promotional projects are in sync with the law.
Represent you at TABC actions.
Effective representation for a TABC investigation or enforcement action requires a steady hand. I represented the agency for five years. Now let me be that steady hand for you.
Lobby for your alcohol legislation.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code gets a lot of attention at the Capitol. Your business can be in the conversation on the bills that matter.
Negotiate your distribution agreements.
The wrong deal can handcuff a startup and kill your shot at raising capital or scaling toward an exit. I draft and negotiate distribution agreements nationwide and on both sides of the ledger. Don’t let a bad contract trip you up.
Structure your business and capital strategy for growth.
Whether you’re still pre-launch or ready to raise your first major round, serious investors expect a clean cap table, tax-friendly business structure, and a spotless regulatory history. I help businesses align ownership and licensing strategies with alcohol regulations, and can make sure that you have the right pitch deck to prove it.
Represent you in strategic litigation with government entities.
Regulatory disputes don’t always end at TABC. They can end up in the courtroom. I worked closely with the Office of Attorney General to defend TABC in high-stakes litigation. Now I build off of that relationship to represent businesses in litigation against the regulatory agencies that the OAG defends.
Expert TABC Attorney
clark smith
I am a Texas attorney with experience as a regulator, a litigator, and corporate and regulatory counsel to clients in all business phases and across multiple entities. From 2017-22, I served as General Counsel at the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, where I sat across the table from dozens of industry leaders and attorneys. In 2022, I became partner-in-charge of Vela Wood's Alcohol Policy & Regulation practice group and now serve as Of Counsel to the firm. Prior to TABC, I oversaw legal strategy at the Health & Human Services Commission, litigated at two Texas law firms, and clerked on the Colorado Supreme Court for Justice Allison Eid. I received my B.A. and J.D. from the University of Texas. I am a fellow of the State Bar of Texas Foundation, a mentor to UT law students, and active in the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators.
Attorneys are required to state activities we enjoy doing outside of the practice of law. I enjoy going to church with my family, taking shots of Fireball at a golf course, and eating food. Often all on the same day.
My Experience
- Handled license and permit applications for all three tiers at TABC and TTB.
- Drafted and negotiated distribution agreements across the country for both sides of the contract.
- Consulted and assisted on cap raises for alcohol manufacturers and retailers for companies and venture funds.
- Drafted and assisted passage of complex legislation to overhaul the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code.
- Oversaw the promulgation and adoption of hundreds of TABC administrative rules and policy advisories.
- Represented clients in different industries at regulatory agencies including TABC, TxDOT, the Office of Attorney General, and Comptroller of Public Accounts.
- Represented clients in strategic litigation challenging statutory interpretations by regulatory bodies.