At IX Legal, we represent New York’s most ambitious and innovative hospitality concepts—ranging from longstanding neighborhood restaurants and high-profile nightclubs to modern-day lounges, fast casual eateries, and upscale hotel groups. Our team also supports entrepreneurs and newcomers launching their first venue along with investors entering the industry for the first time. We are not a law firm that only provides a limited range of services, we are a full-service law firm equipped to guide hospitality businesses through every legal challenge they may face, from asset purchases through licensing and litigation.
Our attorneys advise clients on a variety of business needs, including service mark and trademark registrations, lease negotiations, commercial transactions, wage and hour compliance, employment litigation, shareholder disputes, and Chapter 11 reorganizations. Whether you are seeking to build a concept from the ground up or restructure operations midstream, we bring deep experience and a practical, forward-looking approach to every matter.
Our services do not end at legal counsel—we act as strategic partners. The IX Legal team routinely participates in webinars, CLEs, and industry workshops, and we regularly publish legal guidance on timely issues affecting the hospitality sector, such as commercial lease negotiation, licensing changes, and trade secret protection. This commitment to thought leadership is a key part of how we keep our clients informed and ahead of the curve.
Licensing, Regulatory Guidance & Government Relations
The hospitality industry moves fast—and so do its legal needs. At IX Legal, we partner with restaurants, bars, and other hospitality businesses to anticipate and address the full scope of operational requirements. From the start, we provide strategic guidance on licensing and permitting, including State Liquor Authority (SLA) approvals, sidewalk café licenses, federal TTB permits, and community board representation. We also prepare and submit alteration applications, draft lease agreements, and develop public-use compliance strategies.
Our labor and employment team works proactively to ensure a business’ compliance with city, state, and federal law. We prepare and update employee handbooks, advise on hiring practices, and guide clients through wage and hour issues, undertake investigations, report disciplinary procedures, ADA and FMLA compliance, and OSHA requirements. When disputes arise, we defend clients in federal and state labor department proceedings, wage and hour claims, discrimination allegations, and sexual harassment investigations. Whether facing a DOL audit, EEOC investigation, or class action threat, our clients rely on IX Legal to protect their operations, reputations, and bottom line.
Litigation Support with Industry Know-How
Unfortunately, litigation is often an unavoidable aspect of running a hospitality business. Our litigation team is well-versed in handling disputes ranging from wage and hour claims and wrongful termination suits to commercial lease defaults and partnership dissolutions. We defended clients in multimillion-dollar lawsuits, secured seven-figure buyouts for minority shareholders, and obtained favorable settlements in complex federal wage cases—even when the required records fall short of requirements.
Our success stems from combining strategic advocacy with a deep understanding of how the hospitality world works. Our team members have firsthand experience in the restaurant business, which allows us to understand the realities our clients face and tailor our strategies accordingly.
A Multidisciplinary Team for a Multidimensional Industry
Hospitality law does not start and end with hospitality. We integrate insights from across our firm to solve problems holistically. Our Hospitality & Restaurant team collaborates with our attorneys in commercial litigation, real estate, immigration, intellectual property, trusts & estates, and employment law to deliver 360-degree solutions. From protecting your brand through trademarks, securing work visas for chefs and staff, structuring operating agreements to negotiating SBA loan terms—our approach ensures no issue falls through the cracks.
Partners in Growth and Advocacy
Beyond the courtroom and the boardroom, IX Legal is a proud advocate for the industry. We work alongside the NYC Hospitality Alliance and other partners to fight harmful regulations, support outdoor dining initiatives, and push back against exploitative third-party delivery practices. We also support local and national hospitality coalitions and media groups, making sure we not only represent our clients’ interests legally—but publicly.
IX Legal: Where Legal Strategy Meets Hospitality Vision
Whether you are launching your first cocktail bar, expanding a multi-location restaurant group, or restructuring a legacy hospitality business, IX Legal brings clarity, confidence, and community to your corner. We do not merely provide our hospitality clients with lawyers we present them with a legal team that sees their clients’ success as its mission.