Attorney Wm. Paul (Paul) Powell Jr. has spent much of his career addressing the management and legal needs of alcoholic beverage distributors in North Carolina, including those doing business in other states subject to similar alcoholic beverage control laws.
After beginning his legal career as an attorney with a respected general practice firm in Waynesville, North Carolina, Paul Powell served as Deputy Commissioner of the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission in Raleigh. In that role, he assisted the Chairman in duties connected with the regulation of alcoholic beverage sales in North Carolina, before ultimately becoming Chairman himself.
In February of 1988 Paul was appointed Chairman of the ABC Commission by then-Governor James G. Martin. Powell oversaw all aspects of the sale and regulation of alcoholic beverages in North Carolina at both the retail and wholesale levels. He provided information to various committees of the North Carolina Legislature as they wrote and debated bills affecting alcoholic beverage control, interpreted and applied statutes and regulations regarding the sale of alcohol.
Following his time at the ABC Commission, Paul Powell became General Counsel for a North Carolina-based alcoholic beverage distributor. He was responsible for ensuring compliance with all state and federal legislation and coordinating communications with government agencies, including lobbying for the interests of the alcoholic beverage industry. He later served as State General Manager for this distributor, managing four wholesale distribution branches throughout the state that distributed over 3000 separate products and employed more than 500 people.
Most recently prior to establishing his private legal practice, Paul Powell served as Vice President and General Manager of a wholesale distributing company specializing in the distribution of wine, including over 5000 products in 31 North Carolina counties.
Paul Powell established his private law practice, Wm. Paul Powell Jr. Attorney at Law, to set distributors up for success as they navigate the complex legal requirements for alcoholic beverage sales. His length and depth of experience in this area positions Paul Powell to advise distributors on both legal and practical matters related to the sale of alcoholic beverages.
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