Ms. DeConti is a Shareholder in the Tampa office and is a member of the firm's Alcohol Beverage and Food Team. Prior to joining GrayRobinson, she was a partner with the Tampa office of Holland & Knight and a judicial clerk for the Honorable Antoinette L. Dupont, Chief Judge of the Connecticut Appellate Court. She earned her B.A. cum laude and with Distinction in Renaissance Studies from Yale University in 1993 and then received her J.D. cum laude in 1996 from the University of Miami School of Law, where she was a Harvey T. Reid Scholar.
Awarded the highest rating assigned by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory "AV", Ms. DeConti focuses her practice on litigation and compliance matters related to the rules, regulation and business practices that govern the marketing, sale, and consumption of malt beverages, wine, distilled spirits, and other regulated products in the alcohol and food industry. She is also a circuit court mediator certified by the Supreme Court of Florida.
Ms. DeConti's trial experience includes commercial, franchise, intellectual property, and ADA cases litigated on behalf of major breweries, alcohol suppliers, wholesalers, retailers, and other members of the hospitality industry in state and federal courts and administrative agencies throughout the United States. In addition to her court experience, she represents many clients in alternative dispute resolution. She also advises clients on issues pertaining to trade regulation and marketing practices in the food and beverage industry, and concentrates on regulatory compliance, as well as advertising and promotional law. Ms. DeConti also drafts contracts related to advertising, distribution, importation, and related issues associated with the food and beverage industry. In addition, she is fluent in Italian and French, and advises European clients on international and domestic matters. Ms. DeConti's international experience has included the negotiation, sale and purchase of Italian wineries, liaising with Italian law firms on litigation matters pending in Italy and the United States, representation of several German breweries, and advising and counseling foreign entities seeking to import products from Western Europe into the United States.
Ms. DeConti is a member of The Florida Bar and The Connecticut Bar, and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida. Additionally, she is a member of the American Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the Hillsborough County Bar Association. She is also a frequent lecturer to the alcohol beverage and hospitality industries.
Professional:
· The Florida Bar
· The Connecticut Bar
· Certified Circuit Court Mediator
· American Bar Association
· Federal Bar Association
· Hillsborough County Bar Association
· Selected as top Attorney by Florida Super Lawyers, 2006
· Chambers USA, Food & Beverages: Alcohol, 2011
Publications:
· Food and Beverage Liability Update - Thursday, February 2, 2006
· Beverage Marketing - Tuesday, January 11, 2005
· Ingredients of a Food Related Lawsuit - Tuesday, January 4, 2005
· An Introduction to Food Liability - Wednesday, December 1, 2004
· Liability Arising From Service of Alcohol Beverages to Minors and How to Avoid It - Thursday, October 7, 2004
· What is Dram Shop Liability? - Tuesday, August 3, 2004
· Food & Beverage Liability Issues - Monday, June 21, 2004
· Beer, Bad Oysters, and Other Pitfalls: A Food and Beverage Liability Update - Thursday, January 22, 2004
· Emerging Trends in Dram Shop Liability Law - Friday, January 24, 2003
· Michigan Liquor Control Commission Issues Bulletin Restricting Combination Package Of Wine - Wednesday, November 22, 2000
· Iowa Undergoes Review Of Alcohol Rules And Regulations - Thursday, June 1, 2000
· Wineries Win First Round In Attack On Illinois' New Wine and Spirit Franchise Law - Wednesday, March 1, 2000
· Automobile Forfeiture Laws Crack Down on Drunk Drivers - Sunday, December 19, 1999
Presentations:
· Live Interactive Webinar: "Developing a Responsible Alcohol Policy." Presented by HospitalityLawyer.com, November 4, 2009.
Civic:
· American Cancer Society, Greater Tampa - Member, Operating Board (2002-2006)
· American Heart Association of Tampa Bay - Board of Directors (1999-Present)
· Yale Club of Tampa Bay - Director (2001-Present)
· Tampa Hope Club - Member, Capital Campaign Committee (2001-2002)
· Sacred Heart Church - Parishioner