Lisa Barata has joined Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC’s real estate, development and land use group as counsel.
She joins the firm from 25 years with the State of New Jersey’s Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
Drawing upon her experience, Barata will assist clients in navigating the regulatory environment surrounding the manufacture, wholesale distribution and retail sale of alcoholic beverages at CSG.

Barata
As deputy attorney general in the ABC in the Counsel to the Director’s Office, Barata was responsible for analyzing legal and regulatory issues and advising the director. She also drafted legal opinions, special rulings and final agency decisions; provided legal advice interpreting state liquor law; and handled appeals of municipal disciplinary actions against licensees. In her role as legislative liaison to the Attorney General’s Office, she also evaluated pending legislation for the ABC.
In another previous position as deputy attorney general in the ABC’s Enforcement Bureau, she prosecuted legal violations by every tier of the alcoholic beverage industry, including retail and wholesale licensees.
“As the retail sector continues its evolution from traditional brick-and-mortar to experiential, we recognize that liquor licensing will play an even greater role in New Jersey’s business and real estate communities,” said Mitchell Berkey, chair of CSG’s real estate, development and land use group in a statement. “Lisa’s unmatched knowledge of ABC law, policies and procedures will be invaluable to our clients in staying ahead of this trend and maximizing growth opportunities in current and future real estate cycles.”
Barata is licensed to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.