Our attorneys help keep your business running smoothly and safely, protect your interests, and give you peace of mind. We assist retailers, restaurateurs, hoteliers, and those working with them in matters related to:
- Premises liability, including slips and falls, falling merchandise, and negligent security claims
- Product liability, such as claims for breach of contract, breach of express and implied warranties, inadequate labeling and warnings, and negligent misrepresentation
- Food liability, including claims of foreign objects in food and food-borne illnesses
- Loss prevention, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution claims
- Dram shop and liquor liability
- Labor and employment issues, such as best practices in hiring, training, and firing in a high turnover industry as well as helping clients protect and defend against discrimination claims and overtime disputes
- Business operations, risk management, and intellectual property issues, including strategic business entity types, vendor agreement negotiation and documentation, intellectual property protection with trademark and copyright, compliance with marketing and advertising requirements, and franchise legal needs
- Business disputes and litigation, such as claims for breach of contract, breach of warranty, violation of non-compete, non-disclosure or non-solicitation agreements, misappropriation of trade secrets, and unfair and deceptive trade practices
- Workers’ compensation defense
The group is led by chair Deedee Gasch and a team of veteran trial lawyers who bring business savvy and litigation experience to the table.
The Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality Practice Group covers the entire state of North Carolina, with offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington. For more information, contact Deedee Gasch.
Most Recent Posts
The Spirit of the Holidays – Tips for Alcohol Service This Holiday Season
This post was originally published on November 23, 2021. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And for many,… Read More
Six Tips for Summer Accident and Disaster Preparedness
The days are growing longer and warmer on the Atlantic coast. That means tourism season – and hurricane season –… Read More
Deedee Gasch Named Chair of Cranfill Sumner LLP Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality Practice Group
Deedee Gasch, a Partner with Cranfill Sumner LLP, has been named the Chair of the firm’s Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality Practice Group.… Read More
Making Spirits Bright – Tips for Alcohol Permittees This Holiday Season
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. And for many, this holiday season marks the return to social gatherings… Read More
North Carolina’s Sweeping Alcoholic Beverage Reform Goes into Effect
Sober October is here, but new legislation is creating a buzz around the sale of alcoholic beverages in North Carolina. Effective… Read More
Cranfill Sumner LLP Attorneys Assist in Publication of “Guide to NC Hospitality Law”
The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association has released the “Guide to NC Hospitality Law.”… Read More
Deedee Gasch Accepted Into NRRDA
Deedee Gasch, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP (CSH Law), was accepted into membership of the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association (NRRDA). … Read More
COVID-19 Update: Requirements for Personal Care, Grooming, and Tattoo Businesses During the Pandemic
Personal care, grooming, and tattoo businesses must follow the operating requirements spelled out in Executive Order No. 141. Failure to… Read More
What Happened to Essential Businesses? The COVID-19 Recovery Act and Limited Immunity during Phase 2
As businesses adapt in the wake of the pandemic, they may face legal action by customers or employees related to… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Launches COVID-19 Response Team
Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP (Cranfill Sumner) announced the creation of its COVID-19 Response Team. The team is comprised of… Read More
The COVID-19 Recovery Act and Limited Immunity for Essential Businesses
Whether your business has remained fully open during Governor Cooper’s “stay-at-home” order, is providing reduced services and offerings, or has… Read More
Stephanie Gaston Poley Article Featured by NCRLA
An article by Stephanie Gaston Poley was featured in a recent email from the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. “COVID-19 Recovery Act and Limited Immunity for Essential Business” discusses how North Carolina’s COVID-19 Recovery Act may impact certain businesses.… Read More
To Deliver or Not to Deliver: Considerations for Restaurants Adapting to Coronavirus
As restaurants close dine-in service for guests, restaurant owners and operators might consider offering delivery service during these unprecedented times.… Read More
Stephanie Gaston Poley Receives Stars of Industry Award
Stephanie Gaston Poley, an attorney at Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), received the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA)’s Hospitality Supplier of the Year Award.… Read More
Melody Jolly and Deedee Gasch Featured in DRI Publication
Melody Jolly and Deedee Gasch were recently featured in the DRI publication, Customer Connection which is the newsletter of the DRI Retail and Hospitality Committee.… Read More
Stephanie Gaston Poley Selected to Join FDCC
Stephanie Gaston Poley, a Partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), was elected to membership in the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC).… Read More
Stephanie Gaston Poley Receives AV Rating From Martindale-Hubbell
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) today announced that Stephanie Gaston Poley has received an AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.… Read More
Deedee Gasch Featured in At Your Service
Deedee Gasch, an attorney in the Wilmington office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently featured in At Your Service magazine, a publication of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys to Host Alcohol Liability Webinar with NCRLA
Deedee Gasch and Jennifer Welch will present at the upcoming Alcohol Liability Webinar hosted by the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) and Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner). The webinar will address information about North Carolina’s Dram Shop Laws and the best practices to avoid claims and lawsuits regarding overserved individuals.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Published in DRI Publication
Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner) attorneys were recently featured in the Spring 2018 edition of In-House Defense Quarterly. The article, “Current Trends in Handling False Labeling Claims,” discusses legal issues surrounding labeling of food items.… Read More
Stephanie Poley to Address DRI Product Liability Seminar
Stephanie Gaston Poley, Chair of the Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, will speak at the DRI Product Liability Seminar on Feb. 9. Stephanie and Richard Heller, General Counsel for Legal Sea Foods, will present “Menu Labeling Rules: What’s New and Where Will We Go From Here?”… Read More
Russ Racine to Speak at TAP Talk
Russ Racine, Of Counsel with Cranfill Sumner LLP, will present at the Nov. 14 TAP Talk presented by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. The event will be held at the Pitt Community College Small Business Center in Greenville.… Read More
Stephanie Gaston Poley Publishes Retail & Hospitality Article in DRI For the Defense
Stephanie Gaston Poley, Chair of the Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently published in the July 2017 edition of For the Defense. Stephanie’s article “Seven Years of Growth” gave a recap of the 2017 Retail and Hospitality Seminar and the committee’s plans for the upcoming Annual Meeting in Chicago.… Read More
Pat Flanagan Presents about ADA Regulations at NCRLA Meeting
Pat Flanagan, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, spoke recently at the Charlotte Chapter Meeting of the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA).… Read More
Passing “Brunch Bills” to Repeal Blue Laws
A trend sweeping the nation, and perhaps, North Carolina? By statute, North Carolina allows on-premises alcohol sales statewide from 7:00… Read More
Benton Toups to Lead Employment Law Seminar for Hospitality Industry
Benton Toups, an attorney in the Wilmington office of Cranfill Sumner LLP (Cranfill Sumner), will lead “Ten Ways to Get in Trouble with Your Employees and How to Avoid Them” on Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to noon. The seminar will discuss how to avoid employment lawsuits in the hospitality industry as well as provide an update on state and national legislative issues. … Read More
Stephanie Gaston Poley Named Chair of DRI Retail and Hospitality Committee
Stephanie Gaston Poley has been appointed the Chair of the DRI Retail and Hospitality Committee. The appointment is for a one-year term beginning October 2016 with an option for a second-year term. … Read More
Russ Racine to Present at NCRMA TAP Talks
Russ Racine, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, will serve as a featured speaker at the Raleigh and Charlotte editions of TAP Talks. TAP Talks is an event sponsored by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. … Read More
Katie Hartzog Presents at NCRLA Expo
Katie Weaver Hartzog, a partner in the Raleigh office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, presented the “Top Reasons Employers Get Into Legal Trouble with Employees” at the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) Expo on Aug. 30. … Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys to Present at Harmonie Conference
Stephanie Gaston Poley and Dan Katzenbach will appear as featured speakers at the Construction & Cutting Edge Litigation Topics Seminar presented by the Harmonie Group. The event is scheduled for Aug. 3 at the Embassy Suites Atlanta-Perimeter.… Read More
Tips for Hiring Your Seasonal Help
Stephanie Gaston Poley and Virginia Wooten are featured in the July 2016 edition of At Your Service, the magazine for the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association. Their article, “Tips for Hiring Your Seasonal Help,” explains the legal issues that must be considered when hiring seasonal staff. … Read More
Joe Johnston Obtained Dismissal on Motion to Dismiss
Joe Johnston (Raleigh) obtained dismissal in federal court on a motion to dismiss for restaurant owner in case involving a fatal… Read More
Summary Judgment for Restaurant in Premises Liability Case
Stephanie Gaston Poley (Raleigh) obtained summary judgment for franchisee in a premises liability case where plaintiff alleged a component of the… Read More
Directed Verdict for Restaurant Slip and Fall Case
Stephanie Gaston Poley (Raleigh) obtained directed verdict for a restaurant in a premises liability case where plaintiff alleged the restaurant… Read More
Russ Racine to Speak at NCRMA TAP Talk Seminar
Russ Racine, an attorney in the Charlotte office of Cranfill Sumner LLP, will be a featured speaker at the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association Retail TAP Talk. The seminars offer information for retail businesses from marketing, legal and insurance perspectives. Russ will discuss “Intellectual Property Issues for Retail Businesses.”… Read More
Stephanie Gaston Poley Begins Second Term as Vice Chair of DRI Retail and Hospitality Committee
Stephanie Gaston Poley, Chair of the Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality Practice Group at Cranfill Sumner LLP, has been reappointed to the position of Vice Chair of the national Retail and Hospitality Committee of DRI. This will be Stephanie’s second term as committee Vice Chair.… Read More
“NC Laws That Help Food Stay Safe”
Stephanie Gaston Poley, of Cranfill Sumner LLP, was recently published in At Your Service, the magazine of the North Carolina Retail and Lodging Association.… Read More
Stephanie Poley Contributing Author to Women Rainmakers Publication
Stephanie Gaston Poley, contributing author to Women Rainmakers – Roadmap to Success; experiences of in-house counsel and attorneys in private practice.
… Read More
Stephanie Gaston Poley Appointed Vice-Chair of DRI Retail and Hospitality Committee
Stephanie Gaston Poley, Chair of the Retail, Restaurant and Hospitality Group at Cranfill Sumner, appointed Vice-Chair of DRI Retail and Hospitality Committee.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner to Sponsor DRI Retail and Hospitality Seminar
Cranfill Sumner LLP will sponsor the DRI Retail and Hospitality Litigation and Claims Management seminar in Chicago.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Proudly Sponsors First Retail Refresh Luncheon
Cranfill Sumner LLP proudly sponsors the 2014 Retail Refresh, a luncheon presented by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association.… Read More
Cranfill Sumner Attorneys Participate in 4ALL Statewide Service Day
Ten attorneys from Cranfill Sumner provided vital legal advice and resources in the North Carolina Bar Association’s Annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day.… Read More
