Regulatory Compliance & Food/Health Safety
New York’s regulatory environment for restaurants and hotels is among the most demanding in the country. I help clients maintain ongoing compliance and defend against enforcement actions, ensuring that operations meet the standards set by city, state, and federal authorities. When regulatory or legislative issues go beyond legal advice and require influence at higher levels, DHC’s government relations division is available to clients—no boutique restaurant law firm in New York offers this capability.
Key areas of regulatory compliance include:
- Health code compliance and DOH investigation response
- OSHA compliance for restaurant and hotel operations
- Government relations and legislative advocacy (through DHC’s government affairs practice)
- Zoning and land use approvals for hospitality uses
Crisis Management
When a hospitality business faces a crisis — a harassment allegation, a food safety incident, a social media escalation, or a surprise regulatory action — the legal, operational, and reputational stakes converge at once and compress into hours. The response in those first hours determines whether a crisis remains manageable or becomes a defining event. I coordinate the integrated legal response that hospitality crises demand, and I help clients prepare proactively through training, policies, and playbooks.
- Harassment, discrimination, and workplace misconduct crisis response
- Food safety, spoilage, and guest injury incident management
- DOH, OSHA, and regulatory emergency response
- Social media and public reputation crisis coordination
- Post-incident investigation coordination
- Crisis response policy and playbook development
How does the restaurant ensure food safety?
We follow strict food safety protocols at every stage—from receiving and storing ingredients to preparation and serving. Our staff is trained in proper handling, temperature control, and hygiene practices to prevent contamination and ensure every meal meets high safety standards.
What happens if a food safety issue occurs?
In the event of a food safety incident, we act immediately to protect guests and staff. This includes isolating affected items, notifying health authorities if required, investigating the cause, and taking corrective measures. Prompt response helps prevent harm and ensures the issue is fully resolved.
How are staff trained on health and hygiene standards?
All employees undergo regular training on food handling, sanitation, and hygiene practices, including updates on local health regulations. Ongoing education and routine audits ensure that safety procedures are consistently followed to maintain a clean and safe dining environment.
What should a restaurant do in the first hours of a crisis?
In hospitality, the first hours of a crisis are critical. Whether it’s a harassment allegation, a food safety incident, or a sudden social media escalation, prompt and coordinated action can prevent escalation and limit liability. Immediate steps often include securing facts, protecting guests and staff, notifying legal counsel, and coordinating communications. Having pre-established policies and a crisis playbook ensures these steps are clear and executable under pressure.
How can restaurants prepare proactively for potential crises?
Preparation is key to preventing manageable issues from becoming defining events. Restaurants should develop detailed crisis response policies and playbooks, conduct staff training on harassment, discrimination, and food safety protocols, and establish clear reporting and escalation procedures. Regular simulations and policy reviews help ensure everyone knows their role and that legal, operational, and reputational considerations are integrated into every response.
How is a crisis managed after the immediate incident?
Post-incident management focuses on investigation, documentation, and recovery. This may involve coordinating internal investigations into harassment, discrimination, or workplace misconduct, reviewing food safety and guest injury incidents, and engaging with regulatory bodies such as the DOH or OSHA. Social media and public reputation issues are also addressed strategically. The goal is to learn from the event, mitigate future risk, and restore trust with staff, guests, and the public.