Lunch Talk: John Reyna's Law 101 for Bar Operators

John B. Reyna bridges the worlds of hospitality, nonprofits, and law. He serves as outside general counsel to bars, restaurants, chefs, bartenders, and beverage entrepreneurs, as well as to public charities supporting the hospitality industry. His mission is simple: to help the people who nourish their communities thrive—legally, creatively, and financially. Before becoming a lawyer, John spent more than 15 years in the food and beverage industry, working his way through the ranks from dishwasher to Sommelier, Restaurant Manager, and Banquet Manager. That experience shaped not only his understanding of how the industry works but also his respect for the people who make it run. He also holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines. John and his wife, Shena, own Teakwood Tavern Hospitality, a hospitality consulting company focused on beverage strategy, wine and spirits education, and event services. They have worked with restaurants to revise their beverage programs and provide staff education. An educator at heart, John has taught Restaurant Management and Beverage Management at the University of North Texas at Dallas School of Business, as well as Negotiations at the College of Law. In addition to his legal work, John is deeply involved in the non-profit sector, focusing on organizations that support hospitality professionals. Currently, he is on the board of Good Work Austin and a member of the Policy Committee for the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. John and Shena call Savannah, Georgia, home, where they live with their dogs, Rhône and Tokaj, and their cat, Jura.