Photo of Joseph M. Infante

Joseph M. Infante

Principal

Offices

T:
+1.616.776.6333
O:
+1.616.454.8656
F:
+1.616.776.6322
T:
+1.312.460.4293
O:
+1.312.460.4200
F:
+1.312.460.4201
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Education

Ohio State University College of Law, J.D., 2005

Michigan State University, B.S., 2002

Bar Admissions

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals

  • Sixth Circuit
  • Seventh Circuit

U.S. District Courts

  • Western District of Michigan
  • Eastern District of Michigan
  • Northern District of Illinois

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Joseph Infante's practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and alcoholic beverage manufacturing regulation. 

Joe has broad corporate litigation experience that includes representing clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, as well as in mediation and arbitration proceedings. Joe regularly litigates contract disputes, non-compete agreements, trade secret disputes, employment issues, real estate lease and easement disputes, construction law and negligence law. By focusing on providing in-depth analysis of complex legal issues, Joe strives to advance the most appropriate course of action for his client's needs. In order to provide more complete representation for his clients, Joe obtained admission to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Joe is the head of Miller Canfield's alcoholic beverage regulation team. In his practice, Joe serves as outside general counsel to numerous breweries, wineries and distilleries and advises them on the myriad of issues faced by companies operating in the highly regulated alcoholic beverage industry. This includes advising companies on distribution agreements and disputes, regulatory compliance, trademark issues, litigation, licensing, branding and many other areas. Joe's expertise in the alcoholic beverage world is highly sought after as he regularly speaks at state and national alcoholic beverage conferences and currently serves as the President of the Craft Beverage Lawyers Guild.

You can also follow Joe on Twitter: @alcoholbevatty

Representative Matters

Joe's experience includes:

  • Drafting and negotiating dozens of craft beverage distribution agreements throughout the country.
  • Assisting in the opening of numerous craft breweries, wineries and distilleries.
  • Representing buyers in the purchase of Michigan craft brewery.
  • Assisting client with sale of self-distribution rights to wholesaler.
  • Negotiating license agreement between craft beverage producer and media company related to use of TV series IP for beverage products.
  • Successfully representing clients before Michigan Liquor Control Commission in license denial appeals.
  • Overseeing the growth of the Craft Beverage Lawyers Guild as its President.
  • Successfully defending a craft beverage manufacturer in franchise termination litigation which resulted in the release of the franchise rights by the wholesaler.

Additional matters include:

Honors

Grand Rapids Business Journal, Top Lawyers: Food & Beverage, 2019 & 2022; Top Lawyers: Litigation, 2022; 40 Under 40 Business Leaders, 2016 & 2018

Grand Rapids Magazine, Top Lawyers, Commerical Litigation, 2022

"Leading Lawyers in Michigan," Commercial Litigation; Government, Municipal, Lobbying & Administration; Intellectual Property, 2016-present

Michigan Super Lawyers, Business Litigation, 2013-present; Rising Star, 2011-2012

DBusiness Magazine, Top Lawyers: Food and Beverage Law, 2023

Award-winning homebrewer

Professional Activities

Federal Bar Association

State Bar of Michigan

Grand Rapids Bar Association

Michigan Brewers Guild

Brewers Association

Michigan Craft Distillers Association

President and co-founder – Craft Beverage Lawyers Guild

Civic, Cultural & Social Activities

Hospice of West Michigan Collaborative Board Member

Hospice of Michigan Barley, BBQ & Beats Fundraiser Co-Chair, 2016-present

Speeches

Michigan Craft Brewery Industry Update, ACG Detroit, October 20, 2016.

Brewery and Distillery Law, National Business Institute teleconference, April 19, 2016.

Brewery Worker Health & Safety OSHA/MIOSHA Issues with Attorney Doug Crim, Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Conference, Kalamazoo, Michigan, January 14, 2016.

"Prepare for the Regulators" with Attorney Douglas W. Crim, Craft Spirits Conference and Vendor Expo, Louisville, Kentucky, April 1, 2015.

"Our Bumpy Ride to Opening a Brewery" with Land Grant Brewing Company, Ohio Craft Brewers Conference, Wooster, Ohio, February 5, 2015. 

"Brewery & Distillery Law: Practical Considerations for Advising Brewery & Distillery Clients," CLE International, Orlando, FL, September 18, 2014. 

"Brewery & Distillery Law," Thomson Reuters, Teleconference, September 11, 2014.

"Distillery Regulatory Compliance":  American Distilling Institute, Holland, Michigan, September 10, 2014. 

"Brewery and Distillery Law," National Business Institute teleconference, June 19, 2014.

"Protecting Your Brand,"  2014 Michigan Grape & Wine Conference, Traverse City, Michigan, February 26, 2014.

Publications

PRESS

"40 Under 40 Business Leaders," Grand Rapids Business Journal, October 3, 2018

"Craft brewers continue to eke out growth despite increased volatility," MiBiz, May 26, 2018

"Inside Track: Brewing up a career," Grand Rapids Business Journal, Sept. 16, 2016

"Alternating proprietorships could alleviate capacity constraints for craft brewers," MiBiz, Aug. 21, 2016

"Homeland Security takes action against Grand Armory Brewing over trademark," MiBiz, Aug. 7, 2016

"An industry at a crossroads: Closely-held craft brewers — noted for fierce independence — weigh options for succession," MiBiz, Aug. 7, 2016

"Detroit's Atwater Brewery expands, looks to tap into national market," Crain's Detroit Business, July 13, 2016

"West Michigan's booming craft beer industry grapples with growth," MiBiz, May 29, 2016

"Miller Canfield's Infante helps launch national Craft Beverage Lawyers Guild," MiBiz, May 27, 2016

"Lager law: Attorneys' guild formed for craft brewers, others," Chicago Tribune, May 27, 2016

"Michigan's craft beverage industry could prove attractive for acquisitions," MiBiz, Jan. 24, 2016

"DeVos-held Windquest Group acquires Coppercraft Distillery of Holland," MiBiz, Jan. 22, 2016

Articles