Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP is pleased to announce that Patrick Wartan has joined the firm’s Chicago office, where he will chair the firm’s Food & Beverage practice.

“Joining Taft will allow me to grow my practice and provide expanded capabilities to my clients,” said Wartan. “The firm’s size and Midwest footprint offers depth and breadth across a range of practice areas, from real estate and intellectual property to corporate and labor and employment.”

Wartan has extensive experience counseling multi-unit restaurant/bar operators on matters relating to financing arrangements, liquor licensing, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and general corporate governance in jurisdictions from coast to coast. With a background in the foodservice industry, he works with his clients to foster their growth by strategically overseeing all aspects of their operations to ensure that they are on a path to success.

“For many years, Taft has had a leading practice serving restaurant and food service clients, so we’re very excited that Patrick is adding his impressive clientele to our mix,” said Anthony Licata, partner-in-charge of Taft’s Chicago office.

Wartan’s legal practice also involves serving as outside general counsel to businesses of all sizes. He advises and represents a wide variety of businesses in a full range of legal matters, including business formation, funding, acquisitions, business transactions, employment concerns, contract disputes, commercial litigation and negotiations.

Wartan serves on the advisory council of the Illinois Restaurant Association and teaches Hospitality Law at Kendall College and a legal writing course at his alma mater, Chicago-Kent College of Law. He is a frequent speaker on topics such as start-up growth and operations, foodservice issues and other current regulations impacting his clients’ businesses.

Wartan was selected for inclusion in Illinois Super Lawyers – Rising Stars in 2016 and 2017. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Chicago-Kent College of Law and his B.S. from DePaul University.