Katherine Philippakis chairs Farella Braun + Martel's Wine Industry practice and works from the St. Helena and San Francisco offices. She has a diverse real estate, corporate and land use practice with a focus on the wine industry.
Ms. Philippakis advises a broad range of clients including privately and publicly owned wineries, vineyards and other industry-related businesses. She represents clients in complex real estate and corporate transactions, including acquisitions and dispositions, development, financing, management and leasing of winery and vineyard properties. Her practice extends to counseling clients through the various land use, environmental and beverage alcohol regulatory and diligence issues presented by such wine-related development projects.
While many of Ms. Philippakis' matters are confidential, she has recently completed winery acquisition deals valued at more than $100 million. She is also representing cult, super premium and premium wine brands contending with the effects of the economic crisis by divesting assets (e.g., brands, vineyards and production facilities), renegotiating with lenders, increasing debt or equity investments, and leveraging the downturn for expansion and growth.
Ms. Philippakis was named to the Daily Journal's 2011 list of the "Top 25 Women Corporate and Transactional Lawyers" in California. She served on the City of St. Helena Planning Commission for nine years (with five years as its Chairman), where she helped to develop St. Helena's Small Winery Ordinance, and is a member of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Issues Committee.