Jason Adelstone is a seasoned business lawyer, international policy advisor, and problem solver. Based in Denver, Colorado, he provides domestic and international legal counsel to a diverse clientele, including entrepreneurs, corporations, religious organizations, and federal and international cannabis operators. His practice spans corporate law, international policy, and cannabis regulatory compliance, helping clients navigate the complexities of the global cannabis industry and beyond.
Politicians and advocacy groups have spent years debating what restaurant workers should earn. That debate is not going away. But I think we have spent so much time arguing over the hourly wage that we have avoided a more fundamental question: What kind of restaurant compensation system do we actually want? Whether you love tipping
Taking Your Restaurant International: A Legal Guide to Global Restaurant Expansion International restaurant expansion often generates legal problems before anyone believes there is much legal work to do. A team finds a location and negotiates the lease before confirming that the hours, the liquor service, and the patio are permitted at that address. An executive
Why Startup Tech Companies Should Look Beyond BigLaw for Their Immigration Counsel The immigration law firm that is right for Microsoft will likely be a poor fit for a 6-person startup whose founder’s status expires in six months. Firms handling Big Tech immigration are built for volume. They manage hundreds or thousands of employee cases
U.S. Company Formation for Foreign Companies: Entity, State, Tax, Banking, and Registration In many states, forming a company takes a day. For a foreign company entering the United States, that filing is the easy part. The important decisions come first. Will the foreign parent conduct the U.S. business itself, or will a subsidiary do it?
Choosing the Right U.S. Business Entity: LLC vs Corporation vs “I’ll Fix It Later” You have a strong business idea and you are ready to launch. One of the first, and most consequential, decisions you will make is which entity structure will support that business. Your entity choice shapes everything that follows: capital access, control,
Why Foreign Companies Should Not DIY a U.S. LLC Your first American customer sends you a $50,000 purchase order. They need your ACH details by Friday. You formed a $699 LLC online and now you cannot open a U.S. bank account, or you cannot open one fast enough to keep the deal. This is not
FDA Declares 54% of Vapes Illegal: What Importers Must Know Now According to the FDA, 54% of vape products currently sold in the United States are unauthorized and illegally distributed. On September 30, 2025, FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary issued a public notice titled Encouraging Retailers to Stop Selling Illegal Vapes, announcing that the agency
New Delaware Requirements for LLCs, Corporations & Partnerships Delaware has long been the premier jurisdiction for U.S. business incorporation. It is known for its robust legal framework and favorable court system. But with the 2025 updates to Delaware corporate law, businesses that are incorporated in Delaware—or maintain a Delaware entity registration—must adapt to a number
Trade dress, a subset of trademark law, plays a critical role in protecting the unique visual identity of businesses, including restaurants and hotels. Violations of trade dress can lead to significant intellectual property concerns, impacting a business's reputation and market position. This blog post explores the concept of trade dress, its importance in the hospitality
The New U.S. Tariffs On April 3rd, President Trump implemented a new round of sweeping tariffs, sending ripples throughout the U.S. economy. Among the hardest-hit sectors are restaurants and hotels, which now face significant challenges as rising input costs threaten profitability. These tariffs, which impose a 10% baseline on imports from all countries and higher
