Through following a ‘client-focused approach’, the multi-disciplinary Dentons team has extensive experience of handling multi-jurisdictional acquisitions and strategic investments on behalf of companies in the cannabis and hemp industries. Additionally, the practice is highly regarded for its drafting and negotiation of complex management and loan agreements, while on the contentious side, the outfit deploys specialists on managing trade mark opposition claims. Operating out of Chicago, Eric Berlin and Joanne Caceres each specialize in representing publicly traded companies involved in financing the cannabis industry, including vaporizer manufacturers, testing labs, and cultivators, along with regulatory compliance measures. Hannah King assists businesses in navigating federal and state cannabis laws from Portland, San Francisco’s Kelly Fair is knowledgeable in corporate transactions, and Amy Rubenstein predominantly focuses on the chemical, pharma, insurance sectors from Chicago. In Boston, Jacob Raver stands out for his expertise on gambling laws, whilst Jacob Styburski and Lauren Estevez are also highlighted as key.

Fielding specialist lawyers overseeing all aspects of multi-jurisdictional M&A and venture capital financing rounds, Goodwin has in-depth knowledge in advising domestic and international corporations from across the cannabis, agriculture, and music spheres. The team’s litigious expertise is extensive, predominantly concentrating on trade mark infringement claims, unfair competition disputes, and advertising law cases, coupled with regulatory compliance coverage. Located in San Francisco, co-heads Jennifer Fisher and Brett Schuman are knowledgeable on all elements of government investigations and IP litigation. The other Silicon Valley-based head, William Growney is an expert in corporate governance proceedings and data security matters, in New York, Joshua Eisenson routinely assists strategic investors and private equity funds, and San Francisco’s Harry Berezin is highly knowledgeable on cannabis and hemp regulations. The team stands out for its insight into securities litigation investigations, RICO class actions, and contentious commercial issues, along with concentrating on brand partnership and definitive agreements.

Specializing in the gamut of corporate, securities, and capital markets issues, DLA Piper LLP (US) regularly counsels private and publicly traded companies conducting business in the cannabis sector, including multi-state operators and consumer packaged food corporations. The team showcases substantial strength in the contentious space, notably handling a complex liquidation claim before the Los Angeles Superior Court, alongside claims involving antitrust violations. Operating from Boston, Stefanie Jill Fogel spearheads the practice, primarily specializing on advising multinational entities and start-ups on federal, state, and local hemp laws, and regulatory programs, while Maggie Craig stands out for her expertise in the food, beverage, and consumer products industries. From New York, Christopher Giordano is an expert in securities law and general corporate matters, in Washington DC, Sharon Mayl focuses on marketing claims and compliance measures.

Counting cannabis growers, distributors, and investors amongst its key clients, Fox Rothschild LLP provides bespoke advice on cross-border acquisitions, state compliance regulations, and venture capital transactions, with a primary focus on the medical marijuana and pharma industries. On the disputes side, the practice is well equipped to handle disputes relating to summary determination orders, alongside litigation arising from venders and service providers. Based out of Chicago, co-head William Bogot predominantly focuses on providing strategic regulatory and transaction advice to companies in the cannabis and gaming industries, while from Philadelphia, Joshua Horn brings vast expertise in capital raises and M&A to the outfit. From West Palm Beach, Sean Coyle is knowledgeable on divestitures and joint ventures, New York-based Matthew Kittay acts for investors and entrepreneurs, and Morristown’s Fruqan Mouzon is a regulatory compliance specialist.

Fielding lawyers specializing in cannabis-related corporate, real estate, and IP transactions, Zuber Lawler leverages the expertise from across its seven US-based offices when assisting with multi-jurisdictional IP agreements. In the contentious sphere, the practice has vast experience of managing trade mark infringement disputes, commercially unreasonable claims, and breach of contract lawsuits, with team head Thomas Zuber routinely representing leading cannabis companies and government entities from his base in Los Angeles. In Pheonix, Janet Jackim predominantly focuses on complex business formations and commercial real estate issues, and from LA, Jeffrey Zuber is a commercial litigation expert while Josh Lawler is highly knowledgeable on emerging industries and tech matters. In Phoenix, Robert Mandel is renowned for his contentious knowledge, and James Raza Lawrence is also highlighted as key.

Led by the Columbus-based duo of Scot Crow and Benton Bodamer, Dickinson Wright PLLC heavily specializes in handling corporate reorganisations, multi-jurisdictional M&A, and private equity investments, predominantly operating in the cannabis industry. The team simultaneously boasts a strong contentious offering, providing tailored advice in complex commercial disputes, filing litigation, and breach of contract claims. Crow is highly knowledgeable in private offerings and divestitures, Bodamer concentrates on leveraged buyouts and joint ventures, while in Detroit, Amy Kwiatkowski is a corporate finance expert. From Lansing, Brandon Hubbard stands out for his fraud and trade secrets insights, in Columbus, Lloyd Pierre-Louis is highlighted for his administrative law focus, and Las Vegas’ Melissa Waite is also an integral player.

Representing cannabis industry clients from across the US, the Lansing-based Dykema Gossett PLLC team has in-depth knowledge in securing brand sponsorship arrangements, managing trade mark application, and overseeing M&A transactions. The practice is equally strong on the litigious side, predominantly focusing on tax exemption claims and restraining orders relating to company sales, while co-head Lance Boldrey specializes in licensing and regulatory matters. The other practice head, John Fraser, is an expert in negotiating and drafting cannabis-related capital raises, and Cheyenne Benyi understands the intricacies of the local and state laws governing Michigan cannabusinesses.

Covering the key industries of banking, construction, and pharma, Husch Blackwell LLP is highly knowledgeable on both the regulatory and transactional sides, consistently representing both domestic and international clients. The marijuana and industrial hemp practice is especially well versed in handling government policy, drug development, and vendor contracts issues. Located in Denver, team leaders Steven Levine and Marshall Custer are very experienced, specializing in cannabis regulatory matters and franchise compliance programs. From Los Angeles, Hilary Bricken concentrates on M&A transactions, in Washington DC, Brent Salmons assists with divestitures and joint ventures, while Denver’s Jeffrey Whitney is also cited as key. Megan Beebe is a key name in Denver, while Alyssa Samuel, who works virtually, is also noted.

Deploying a multi-disciplinary team which includes specialists in real estate, corporate, and advertising law, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP has extensive insight in overseeing regulatory enforcement actions and cannabis banking regulations. The team frequently acts for major funds in the cannabis space, alongside managing venture capital raises and cross-border corporate governance proceedings. From Los Angeles, joint co-head Anita Famili is a regulatory compliance and media agreements specialist, while the other co-head, New York-based Axel Bernabe, is an expert in the cannabis industry. Thomas Poletti concentrates on private equity and debt offerings from Costa Mesa, while in Los Angeles, Thomas Michael predominantly focuses on strategic investments and regulatory compliance.

With Chicago-based Bryna Dahlin leading the team, Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP has extensive expertise in IP, environmental, and litigation aspect of the cannabis industry. On the transactional side, the firm primarily handles de-SPAC mergers and M&A, with Dahlin routinely advising cannabis companies and startups. Also in Chicago, Bill Doran is knowledgeable on debt and equity finance issues, Bob Morgan acts on behalf of government regulators and legislators, while from California, Krista Enns specializes in complex commercial matters. Cleveland’s Thomas Kern and Kristopher Chandler are also highlighted as key contacts.

Frequently assisting cannabis companies and investors on their regulatory, corporate governance, and product liability matters, the Washington DC-based Arnold & Porter outfit has attorneys based across North America, Europe, and Asia. The practice is highly knowledgeable in M&A transactions and strategic growth plans, with co-head Evelina Norwinski mainly acting for financial institutions and real estate companies. The other co-leads, Daniel Kracov and Howard Sklamberg, are both experts in enforcement and litigation issues, Raqiyyah Pippins concentrates on dietary supplements and cosmetics, while David Marsh specializes on patentability and soft IP proceedings.

Offering full-service representation to major cannabis and hemp corporations, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has extensive expertise in advising on complex corporate governance and regulatory compliance measures, in conjunction with capital raises and IP protections. On the contentious side, the practice is highly knowledgeable in medical cannabis investor-related disputes, with Birmingham-based co-head Whitt Steineker specializing in cannabis-related litigation matters and license applications. The other team lead, Jay Wright, predominantly focuses on banking and financial services regulatory issues from his base in Birmingham, Slates Veazey is highlighted for his corporate expertise from the Jackson office, and Nashville’s Hunter Robinson is well versed in AML statutes and regulations.

Headed by Stanley Jutkowitz in Washington DC, Seyfarth Shaw LLP routinely advises on wrongful discharge and disability discrimination claims relating to medical cannabis, alongside venture capital fundraising matters. The team is knowledgeable on soft IP issues- especially regarding cross-border trade mark issues, with Jutkowitz stands out for his work on corporate transactions and risk assessments in the cannabis space. In San Francisco, Jennifer Mora focuses on complex employment issues, Charlotte-based Frederick Smith is highlighted for his assistance to national retailers and drug testing companies, while Brian Michaelis is well versed in patents and trade secrets proceedings.

With specialists in settlement lawsuits concerning the maritime transport of marijuana- alongside a strong focus on Employee Stock Ownership Plan- Vicente LLP frequently acts on behalf of companies in the cannabis, tech, and entertainment. Operating out of Colorado, founding partner Brian Vicente and Shawn Hauser specialize in cannabis business licensing and complex regulatory compliance matters. From Massachusetts, Adam Fine leads the firm’s litigation and arbitration, in California Cassia Furman concentrates on cannabis supply chain transactions, and Maryland’s Charles Alovisetti is an expert on equity financings and recapitalization deals.

Predominantly defending cannabis manufacturers in unfair business claims and false advertising cases, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP is highly accustomed to advising on local and domestic cannabis law matters and navigating regulatory requirements. Representing international and American insurance corporations, the Los Angeles-based practice heads Dean Rocco and Ian Stewart each specialize in all aspects of the cannabis and hemp industries, primarily acting on behalf of financial institutions. Also in LA, William Tolin Gay is knowledgeable on securities law compliance issues, while Michael Manfredi is highlighted as an integral member.