The Science of Alcohol Intoxication: Navigating Dram Shop and Liquor Liability

David M. Lehmann, PhD | Intertox Inc

David Lehmann, Ph.D., is a leading expert in toxicology who joined Intertox in 2025 as a Senior Toxicologist. With nearly two decades of experience spanning academia, industry, and government, Dr. Lehmann excels in evaluating the potential human health risks caused by environmental pollutants, alcohol and drugs, medical devices, and consumer products. His accomplishments include both rigorous investigational laboratory studies and comprehensive written assessments. Renowned for his expertise in scientific assessments and communication, Dr. Lehmann has consistently demonstrated a proven track record of addressing complex scientific issues tailored to serving client needs with precision and clarity.

Heidy O’Neil, PhD | Intertox Inc

Heidi O’Neill, PhD, DABT, joined Intertox in 2024 and currently serves as a senior toxicologist. She brings more than 20 years of experience studying the effects of chemical substances, both as pharmacological therapeutics with potential health benefits and as toxicants that may pose risks to human health.

Dr. O’Neill’s work centers on human health risk assessment for chemicals used in consumer products, including flavoring compounds in oral, food, and inhalation products, as well as solvents, organophosphates, and pesticides. She has significant experience preparing FDA submissions for inhaled and oral nicotine products and supporting regulatory strategy and compliance.

In addition to regulatory work, Dr. O’Neill provides scientific support in litigation and conducts product stewardship evaluations for chemical compounds. Her expertise includes toxicological assessments to support extractables and leachables (E&T) evaluations, helping ensure product safety, regulatory alignment, and effective risk management across diverse applications.

Michael J. Laszlo | Clark Hill PLC

Mike Laszlo is an accomplished litigator and business counselor who focuses his practice on the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. Mike’s clients include restaurant groups, wineries, distilleries, breweries, importers, wholesalers, and retailers. Mike represents businesses in all aspects of the industry including corporate and commercial matters, litigation, complex liquor licensing and three-tier issues, and alcohol franchise laws.

Mike has extensive experience at all stages of litigation, including trials and appeals. Mike’s practical approach to dispute resolution is also influenced by his experience serving in business roles over the years. This combined experience allows him to achieve favorable outcomes thoughtfully and effectively for clients of all shapes and sizes. He understands how problems and disputes fit with his client’s business goals and recognizes that problems and disputes can ultimately lead to opportunity and growth.

As a business counselor, Mike brings a practical perspective to clients to identify opportunities and risks at all stages of the business cycle. Mike advises startups and industry juggernauts on corporate and commercial transactions, complex liquor licensing and three-tier issues, trademarks, and other complex business matters. While not losing sight of the fact that sometimes the best answer is the simple one, Mike excels at finding unique solutions to complex problems.

Additionally, Mike has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation and arbitration. He is a frequent speaker and commentator on alcohol beverage law and business and commercial law.

Patrick Maroney | Maroney Consulting Services LLC

Patrick Maroney is the President of Maroney Consulting Services LLC, and provides consulting related to liquor laws, rules, liability, training and compliance for liquor licenses and stakeholders. Patrick has over 33 years of experience in law enforcement and regulatory compliance.

In June 2019, Patrick retired from the state of Colorado where he served as the Director for the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division (LED) since 2013. For over two years previously, Patrick served as the Chief of Investigations for the LED. He has also worked for other government agencies including the Colorado Lottery, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

Patrick is a former board member of the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA) and has served on several panels during NCSLA conferences as well as hosted the 2017 National Conference in Denver.

During his tenure as Director of the Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division, Patrick saw several changes in liquor law, policy, rules and industry practices. He worked closely with liquor stakeholders in 2016 and 2018 to implement two bills passed by the Colorado legislature that brought about the most significant changes to Colorado’s liquor laws since Prohibition. He understands the importance of strengthening America’s strong alcohol regulatory system and its relevancy to protecting public health and safety.

I. Review of alcohol toxicology | 1:00pm – 1:20pm

II. What the body does to alcohol | 1:20pm – 1:40pm

III. What alcohol does to the body | 1:40pm – 2:00pm

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

IV. Dram shop liability | 2:10pm – 2:30pm

V. The role of toxicologists in alcohol-related legal cases | 2:30pm – 2:50pm

VI. Conclusion and Q&A | 2:50pm – 3:10pm