Why Choose Us | Texas Hospitality and Non-profit Law

We designed every area of focus at THNLC to support those who nourish their communities—because caring for others should never mean going it alone.

John B. Reyna

John bridges the worlds of hospitality, non-profits, and law. He serves as outside general counsel to bars, restaurants, public charities, tax-exempt organizations, chefs, bartenders, directors, and entrepreneurs, as well as others in the hospitality and non-profit industries.

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 deep respect for the people who make it run. He also holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines.

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 remains active in the non-profit space. He has served on boards for several hospitality-focused organizations. Currently, he is a member of the Board of Directors for Good Work Austin and the Policy Committee for the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation.

John and his wife, Shen, call Savannah, Georgia, home, where they live with their dogs, Rhône and Tokaj, and their cat, Jura.

Education

LL.M. in Taxation, SMU Dedman School of Law
Juris Doctorate, Texas Tech University School of Law
Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a focus on Comparative Cultural Studies, The Ohio State University

Publications

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, Stirred & Bitter: SCOTUS Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month, Oct. 14, 2025
The Blend-Beam Suntory, How Does the Tip Credit Work?, Jan. 2023
The Blend-Beam Suntory, What Do You Know about the Subminimum Wage?, Jan. 2023
Spill, Guest Check Issue No. 4, Managers and Tips, July 2022
Spill, Guest Check Issue No. 3, Protect yourself from wage theft: Learn about the new FLSA tip credit regulations, Jan. 2022
Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals News, HR Training in the Time of COVID: Commit to a Meaningful Cultural Change, Oct. 14, 2021
Hospitality Financial & Technology Professionals News, Come for the Presentations and Tech, Stay for the People, Sept. 30, 2021

Presentations

United States Bartenders’ Guild Bar Summit 2025—Presenter, Stewardship & Strategy: Key Roles and Responsibilities for USBG Chapter Board Members, May 20, 2025
The Tahona Society, Navigating Legal Landscapes: Essential Considerations for New Businesses, Mar. 4, 2025
Tales of the Cocktail, Workplace Laws, July 20, 2024
Tales of the Cocktail, Contemporary Employee Relations: Centering Dignity, July 23, 2024
The Tahona Society, Navigating Legal Landscapes: Essential Considerations for New Businesses, Apr. 23, 2024
The State Bar of Texas, Governance of Non-profit Organizations, Lessons from the Hospitality Industry for the Exempt-Organization Lawyer, Sept. 1, 2023
Gulf Coast Symposium on HR Issues, Is Arbitration Right for Your Employer?, May 17, 2019

Professional Affiliations

Board Member, Good Work Austin, 2025
Committee Member, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation-Policy Committee, 2024-Present
Board Member, Restaurant Worker Community Foundation, 2022-24
Board Member, Lift Collective, 2022-23
Vice Chair Solo & Small Firm Section, Dallas Bar Association, 2022
Member, Texas Bar College, 2022-25
Member, Dallas Sommelier Society, 2019-2022
Board Member, Tarrant County Restaurant Association, 2019

Other Activities

Graduate, 2019 Leadership Academy, Section of Taxation of the State Bar of Texas
Level 3 Award in Wine, with distinction, Wine & Spirits Education Trust