WASHINGTON, D.C.—Susan K. Neely, president and chief executive officer of the American Beverage Association (ABA), today announced the promotion of Sean Krispinsky to senior vice president and deputy general counsel for the association.  

“Sean has proven himself to be a trusted resource for both ABA and our member companies and we look forward to his continued counsel as part of the senior management team,” Neely said. “His legal acumen and leadership on complex issues has been crucial to the success of our association.”

As senior vice president and deputy general counsel, Krispinsky will continue his work in ABA’s legal department. He is responsible for advising ABA and its members on legal and regulatory issues affecting the beverage industry at the local, national and international levels. These issues include, among others, sales restrictions, bottle deposit systems, taxation, labeling requirements, political law, ingredient safety and advertising. The non-alcoholic beverage industry employs more than 240,000 people with a direct economic impact of more than $169 billion and helps to support hundreds of thousands more that depend, in part, on beverage sales for their livelihoods.

“I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work with some of America’s most iconic companies that lead on the tough issues,” Krispinsky said. “I look forward to continuing to offer them counsel as they put forward bold solutions and take on challenges ahead.”

Prior to this promotion, Krispinsky served at ABA as vice president and deputy general counsel. Before joining ABA, Krispinsky practiced law at Latham & Watkins, an international law firm. During his tenure, he developed litigation strategies for and briefed challenges to various business regulations, including product bans and restrictions, taxes and disclosure laws and successfully contested and defended executive agency actions at both the federal and state level. He also provided clients with litigation counseling and authored numerous briefs in federal and state appellate courts on a range of issues, including novel constitutional, statutory, administrative, criminal, national security and environmental matters. Krispinsky maintains an active pro bono practice and served as lead appellate counsel before the Second and Ninth Circuits on immigration matters.

Prior to joining Latham & Watkins, Krispinsky served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Ruth V. McGregor, chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. During law school, he was a legal intern in the Office of the Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of Justice and in the General Counsel’s Office, Office of Administration in the Executive Office of the President at The White House.

Krispinsky received his juris doctorate, magna cum laude, and was awarded the Order of the Coif from The George Washington University Law School. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies and political science from the University of LaVerne. Krispinsky and his wife, Rebekah, live in Santa Fe, N.M., with their two children. 

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 The American Beverage Association is the trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute non-alcoholic beverages in the United States.  For more information on ABA, please visit the association’s Web site at www.ameribev.org or call the ABA communications team at (202) 463-6770.