The leader of Pepper Hamilton's alcoholic beverage industry group has made a move to DLA Piper, after only two years at Pepper Hamilton.

Philadelphia-based Alva Mather said DLA Piper reached out to her about a year ago, but she was hesitant to make a move, given how recently she had joined Pepper Hamilton from Griesing Law. But as her clients look to grow globally, she said, it made sense to join a firm with an international platform.

“Where I see my clients' industry going was the tipping point in deciding to make a move,” Mather said. “Ultimately I need to go where I can best serve my clients and meet the needs that are on the horizon for them.”

Most of her clients are breweries and distilleries, she said. And for a long time their legal needs were regional, but that's changing.

“While craft alcohol has done very well in the states, it's looking overseas for growth,” Mather said, and she didn't want her clients to outgrow the services she is able to offer them. She also represents grocery store chains and other companies that sell alcohol, she said.

Joe Kernen, managing partner of DLA Piper's Philadelphia office, said Mather already has some clients that overlap with the firm's.

“She built this nationally recognized, highly successful practice from scratch,” he said.

Mather noted that DLA Piper is focused on growing its food and beverage practice, and will be able to provide support she needs for her clients. As a result, she said, she will be able to focus more on litigation than her clients' regulatory needs.

Some of Mather's clients are young startup breweries and distilleries, she said, but she does not expect DLA Piper's higher rate structure to be prohibitive to them, as she expects to staff out more of her work to associates and paralegals than she did at her previous law firms.

Kernen, too, said he doesn't expect rates to be an issue for Mather's smaller clients. He noted that DLA Piper has an active practice representing startups in the life sciences and technology industries.

Locally, Mather has been involved in contentious regulatory battles in the industries she serves, having represented a juice company seeking an exemption from the Philadelphia soda tax, and a cannabis business in its application for a grower/processor permit as part of Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program.

Marijuana, however, will not be part of Mather's practice at DLA Piper. She said DLA Piper as a firm has decided not to become involved in the growing cannabis industry, as state and federal marijuana laws differ.

“I hope I will just be delaying my involvement in that industry,” she said. “Eventually the laws will have to come to some better structure than they are now.”

DLA Piper has 56 lawyers in Philadelphia, Kernen said, and is looking to grow in the city, particularly in corporate and finance practices and high-end litigation.

A spokesman for Pepper Hamilton said the firm wishes Mather well.