Meet Kristen Techel & Laura Collier
Alcohol Law Experts
Serving wineries, distilleries, breweries, importers, retailers, e-commerce companies & other innovative models and vendors in the alcohol beverage industry
Kristen Techel
Born and raised in Napa, I grew up surrounded by the wine industry. My dad’s best friend owned a small winery, and my brother and I worked on the bottling line as kids, specializing in wrinkly foils, crooked labels, and trying to control the music in the winery so we could listen to Bel Biv DeVoe instead of Steely Dan.
After attending UCLA for undergraduate and Berkeley for law school, I found my way back to the alcohol industry as an attorney, first working at a well-known law firm specializing in alcohol beverage law, then starting and growing my own well-known law firm specializing in alcohol beverage law. In 2020, I left that firm and launched Drink Law.
I've helped some of the largest wine, spirits, beer, retail and e-commerce brands manage the complexities of alcohol law. I’ve worked closely with alcohol regulators & agencies across the United States and am a past member of the Executive Committee of the National Conference for State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA).
I’ve worked with start-ups, multi-generational family businesses, conglomerates, publicly traded companies, investment funds — and even started a wine business myself. That wine, Tendu, was featured in New York Times articles such as “Last Minute Buys for Thanksgiving Wines” and “20 Wines Under $20: Touring the World, Familiar to Obscure.”
In 20+ years of being devoted to a full-time alcoholic beverage law practice, I’ve seen it all, and I can help you strategize the best approach for your business. You’ll get smart, practical business solutions backed by a lifetime of experience in the alcohol beverage industry.
Bar Admissions
State Bar of California, 2003
Education
University of California, Berkeley – School of Law, J.D., 2003
UCLA, B.A. Communications, 2000
Legal Experience
Strike & Techel
Hinman & Carmichael
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton
Ranked as a top USA alcohol attorney for 8 years.
Quotes from 2026 Chambers research:
“No matter what I throw her way, she is able to advise on the best path forward while considering all facets of the business.”
“Her knowledge of case law, industry experience and how certain issues were handled in different states is invaluable. She adds massive value in answering our questions and providing practical business advice.”
“She does not provide guidance in a vacuum; it is always tailored to the industry as a whole and to our business specifically.”
Laura Collier
My first job was at a brewery, and I became fascinated with fermentation. I soon got into wine and realized that trying new wines felt like traveling the world, so I got jobs at wine stores while in undergrad and law school.
After law school, I practiced general litigation at a large law firm for a few years, but left to return to working in the alcohol industry. In addition to many years of practicing alcohol law as a solo practitioner as well as with Kristen at Strike & Techel, I’ve taken time to work in all sorts of roles within the alcohol industry. I’ve worked in hospitality and events, as well as retail sales and wholesale distribution. I’ve worked at a large winery in a production compliance role. I’ve owned a restaurant. I’ve studied viticulture and enology, and worked in the vineyard as well as in the cellar.
My deep practical experience in the alcohol industry is my greatest strength as an attorney. Because I have experienced the challenges facing alcohol business firsthand, I am able to provide practical legal guidance that my clients can implement in the day-to-day running of their businesses.
Bar Admissions
New York State Bar, 2008
North Carolina State Bar, 2013
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., 2007
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., Political Science, 2003
Surry Community College, Certificate, Viticulture, 2023
Legal Experience
Strike & Techel
The Spirited Lawyer
White & Case
Need help navigating alcohol beverage law?
We can help you protect & minimize risk in your business with practical strategies and smart legal advice.