As an avid player of board games, Mike Roche plays to win, and he does this by learning the rules so he can develop a winning strategy. He applies this talent and passion to his legal practice as he advises clients on a wide range of day-to-day and nuanced corporate regulatory matters – many of which require research and understanding of complex and convoluted rules.
Mike represents clients in regulated industries such as military manufacturers, food manufacturers, technology, cannabis, alcohol beverage producers and retailers, and other organizations on matters relating to government compliance, including the export of products, privacy and data security in the United States and European Union (GDPR), product labeling standards, and state and federal alcohol licensing requirements. His alcohol industry experience includes representing breweries, wineries, cideries, and distilleries on contract production, distribution, and licensing agreements.
In addition, Mike advises clients on commercial contracts, including data processing agreements, where he handles everything from drafting and reviewing, to negotiating and overseeing the signatory process. He also regularly facilitates mergers and acquisitions and commercial financing, and advises on matters relating to corporate formation, operation, and dissolution.
Mike started his career as a professional in Harris Corporation’s engineering project management finance group where he learned how to run a project on time and budget.
Representative Experience
Regulatory
- Advise clients seeking to obtain manufacturing and retail alcohol beverage licenses in New York State.
- Represent an industrial hemp producer in New York State. Negotiate agreements with hemp farmers and seed/seedling providers and advise on transborder matters.
- Advise a multistate retailer on carrying CBD products.
- Advise a regional grocery store on food labeling regulations.
Corporate and M&A
- Advise public and private companies on day-to-day commercial agreements, including writing, drafting and negotiating terms.
- Represented Seager Marine in its acquisition of Macri’s Deli and Café.
Professional & Civic Affiliations
- Member, Wine Century Club
- Board of Managers and Secretary, Rochester Commissary
- Member, Finance Committee, Perinton Presbyterian Church
Admissions
- New York
Education
- Cornell University Law School, J.D.
- Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University, M.B.A.
- American University, B.A., B.S.