Mayor Eric Adams has appointed Joseph MacLellan, a partner at Greenspoon Marder’s Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Industry Group, to serve on the New York City Nightlife Advisory Board for a two-year term extending through August 15, 2027.
The appointment positions MacLellan among a select group of advisors tasked with shaping policies for one of the world’s most vibrant nightlife economies. The Nightlife Advisory Board serves as an independent body established by local law to support the city’s nightlife industry while advising both the Mayor and City Council on matters affecting nightlife businesses, workers, and surrounding communities.
MacLellan brings more than two decades of combined legal expertise and hands-on hospitality industry experience to the role. His practice encompasses hospitality law, corporate law, and navigation of the alcohol beverage industry’s complex regulatory framework. His client roster includes nightclub and restaurant owners, manufacturing companies, and businesses ranging from startups to growth-stage enterprises.
“I’m honored to join New York City’s Nightlife Advisory Board and contribute to an industry that brings people together and strengthens communities,” said MacLellan. “I’m committed to helping shape policies that ensure nightlife remains a safe and vibrant space for all New Yorkers.”
Beyond his legal practice, MacLellan’s background includes ownership and operation of an international sourcing and buying office, a retail design and activation company, and multiple restaurants. This dual perspective as both legal advisor and business owner provides unique insights into the practical challenges facing nightlife establishments.
The appointment reflects the growing influence of Greenspoon Marder’s hospitality practice, which has expanded its national presence in recent years. Louis J. Terminello, Chair of the firm’s Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Industry Group, highlighted the significance of the appointment.
“Over these last several years, our Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure team has emerged as a national powerhouse in the hospitality space, and Joe’s appointment to the New York City Nightlife Advisory Board is a tremendous recognition of that momentum,” Terminello said. “I’m thrilled for Joe and the incredible exposure this opportunity brings—not only for him, but for our team and the continued growth of Greenspoon Marder’s New York office.”
As a board member, MacLellan will contribute legal insight and industry knowledge to help develop equitable policies that promote cultural expression, public safety, and economic vitality across New York City’s diverse nightlife landscape. The advisory board’s recommendations influence regulations affecting thousands of venues and millions of patrons throughout the five boroughs.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for New York’s nightlife industry as it continues to navigate post-pandemic recovery while addressing evolving community needs and safety considerations. Board members work to balance the economic importance of nightlife establishments with quality of life concerns for residents and workers.
MacLellan’s expertise in regulatory compliance and business operations positions him to address key challenges facing nightlife venues, from licensing requirements to noise ordinances and public safety protocols. His appointment by Mayor Adams underscores the administration’s commitment to incorporating industry expertise into policy-making processes that affect this vital sector of the city’s economy.
The law firm’s hospitality practice has established itself as a key advisor to businesses navigating the complex intersection of hospitality operations and regulatory compliance, with MacLellan’s new role further cementing that position in the New York market.
