Overview
Emily is a principal in the Hospitality, Travel & Tourism practice, where she works as an alcoholic beverage attorney.
Emily chairs the firm's Commercial, IP & Transactions practice. She counsels wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, hotels and other retailers on liquor licensing, trade practice compliance, distribution issues, contracts, dispute resolution and other liquor-related matters.
She is also the Chair of the Cannabis practice, where she advises licensed producers, processors and retailers, along with those hoping to join the industry. Like alcohol, cannabis is a highly regulated industry. Emily helps clients structure their business entities, contracts and strategic partnerships to ensure compliance with Washington’s complex regulatory scheme.
An Oregon native, Emily graduated with honors in History from Whitman College. She then taught second grade in the Mississippi Delta with the Teach for America program.
Emily lives in Ballard with her husband, two daughters and two pugs.
Professional Activities
- Future of the Law Institute, Past Board Member
- King County Bar Association, Member
- Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle, President, 2019
- Former Vice President
- National Conference of State Liquor Administrators, Associate Member
- 2022 Annual Conference, Planning Committee Co-Chair
- University of Washington School of Law, Lecturer, "Special Topics: Hospitality Law"
- Washington Cannabusiness Association, Associate Member
- Washington Lawyers Practice Manual, Past Editor
- Washington Wine Institute, Associate Member
- Washington Women Lawyers, Member
Community Activities
- Auction of Washington Wines, Past Member of Chairman’s Committee
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Past Wine Committee Member
Blog Posts
Blog Posts
- Cannabis Business Blog, 8.12.21
- Duff on Hospitality Law, 5.7.20
- Duff on Hospitality Law, 3.24.20
- Cannabis Business Blog, 10.30.19
- Cannabis Business Blog, 7.27.18
- Cannabis Business Blog, 5.17.17
- Cannabis Business Blog, 5.11.17
- Cannabis Business Blog, 5.1.17
- Cannabis Business Blog, 10.28.16
- Cannabis Business Blog, 6.8.16
- Cannabis Business Blog, 4.8.16
- Cannabis Business Blog, 1.28.16
- Cannabis Business Blog, 1.20.16
- Cannabis Business Blog, 1.20.16
- Duff on Hospitality Law, 9.17.15
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Past Appearances
Legal Alerts
Publications
Services
Admissions
- Washington, 2004
- Oregon, 2014
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, 2009
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 2005
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, 2010
Education
- J.D., University of Washington School of Law, 2004
- B.A., Whitman College (cum laude), History, 1999
Clerkships
- Hon. Elaine M. Houghton, Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II
Honors & Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America®
- Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), 2024-present
- Leisure and Hospitality Law, 2024-present
- Chambers USA (Nationwide) Leading Individual, Cannabis Law, 2021-present
- Washington Super Lawyers list, 2020-present
- Top 50 Women and Top 100 Attorneys, 2024
- Rising Star, Washington Super Lawyers, 2010; 2016-2017