Having joined from Burnes & Levinson in May 2024, Scott Moskol and Frank Segall strengthened Blank Rome LLP’s cannabis offering. The Boston-based team supports cannabis businesses, investors, and ancillary companies across the full range of corporate and finance matters.

Dentons draws on its ‘deep knowledge’ of cannabis and hemp to advise industry-leading clients on corporate transactions, including M&A and debt financing. The team also provides ‘proactive advice’ on litigation and regulatory compliance, covering cannabis regulations, FDA matters, IP, and tax. Other practices within the firm, including healthcare, banking and finance, antitrust, and corporate, also support this work. The ‘strong’ team is led by Chicago-based Eric Berlin, who focuses fully on the legal cannabis and hemp industries and has an extensive track record in deals, having represented financiers and service providers to the industry, as well as manufacturers, cultivators, and dispensary operators. Also in Chicago, Joanne Caceres is trusted for her deal structuring and regulatory compliance expertise, with experience securing licenses and contributing to legislation. The ‘outstanding’ Kelly Fair in San Francisco, handles the full spectrum of work - from regulatory compliance to corporate governance and public policy. In Los Angeles, Lauren Estevez advises cannabis and hemp brands, investors, and ancillary businesses on regulatory and transactional matters, and has experience with the DEA program for cannabis research.

Goodwin provides full-service support to leading cannabis and cannabis-adjacent companies and investors, covering corporate, regulatory, and litigation matters across the business lifecycle - from formation and early-stage financing to cross-border transactions and IP protection. Based in San Francisco, co-practice head Jennifer Fisher is a trusted advisor to cannabis brands, investors, and financial institutions, guiding them through state and federal frameworks across corporate transactions, regulatory compliance, and complex litigation. Fisher also advises on market access and regulatory matters. Fellow San Francisco co-practice head Brett Schuman is an experienced litigator, bringing longstanding expertise in IP, regulatory, and commercial disputes. Rounding out the leadership team, Silicon Valley-based William Growney is a seasoned corporate and transactional lawyer, well regarded for his deep understanding of the regulatory and commercial landscape in the sector. He is particularly trusted for M&A, corporate governance, licensing, and IP strategy. San Francisco’s Harry Berezin draws on his prior experience at a cannabis manufacturer and distributor to advise clients on operational, regulatory, and transactional challenges.

Dickinson Wright PLLC provides comprehensive counsel to cannabis clients operating with state-issued licenses, as well as to businesses providing goods and services to the industry. On the transactional front, the firm is trusted for M&A, financing, and private equity investments. Its regulatory offering is equally strong, spanning licensing matters, state and federal compliance, and enforcement proceedings. The firm also covers litigation, IP, and corporate issues. Ohio-based Scot Crow leads the transactions division of both the cannabis and corporate/M&A practices, drawing on his multidisciplinary capabilities to provide an ‘integrated service’ across M&A, venture capital financings, private equity investments, and divestitures. Michigan-based Benjamin Sobczak combines ‘technical expertise, business acumen and practical judgment’ in complex regulatory and transactional matters across the US and Canada. Jonathan Wachs, in Washington, DC, is recommended for advising on state-specific regulations for industry applicants, operators, and stakeholders, including regulatory approvals for cannabis license transfers and changes. Former co-practice head Benton Bodamer  has departed the firm.

DLA Piper LLP (US) is recognized for its ‘subject matter expertise’ in cannabis and hemp, covering regulatory, corporate, litigation, and government affairs matters across the full business lifecycle. The firm supports a wide range of clients - from multinational consumer goods companies and publicly traded multi-state operators to startups and private equity investors - and is particularly well regarded for its M&A, corporate structuring, capital markets, and securities compliance work. Both based in Boston, practice co-heads Stefanie Fogel and Maggie Craig cover a broad range of matters, with Fogel working with multinationals and startups in the hemp-based CBD product space on regulation, compliance, and litigation, while Craig draws on her regulatory expertise to mitigate risks across the cannabis, hemp, and CBD supply chain. Fellow practice head Christopher Giordano concentrates on M&A and corporate matters for private and publicly traded cannabis and wellness companies. Sharon Mayl brings valuable insight from her former experience at the FDA, advising on the legal requirements for the development, manufacturing, and marketing of cannabis products.

Duane Morris LLP’s cannabis industry group supports clients across the full spectrum of cannabis matters, assisting state-licensed marijuana and hemp cultivators, processors, distributors, and dispensaries, as well as adjacent businesses and investors. The firm’s services span federal and state regulatory matters, commercial litigation, license applications, and transactions. Practice leadership is shared between Las Vegas-based Tracy Gallegos and Paul Josephson in New Jersey. Gallegos focuses on M&A and corporate matters, including entity formation and restructuring, governance, and financing, while Josephson is a constitutional and regulatory litigator who also advises on cannabis licensing, finance, and advocacy. The ‘seasoned’ Michael Schwamm, based in New York, represents public and private cannabis entities in large-scale M&A, angel and venture capital financing, and other capital formation transactions. Seth Goldberg is no longer at the firm.

Cannabis growers, distributors, processors, and investors trust Fox Rothschild LLP‘s ‘practical, business-oriented’ advice, from regulatory compliance to corporate and financing work. Praised for its industry expertise, the practice also provides comprehensive support on M&A, litigation, IP, and disciplinary matters. Chicago-based practice co-chair William Bogot, also a litigator, is an expert in legal developments related to the production, distribution, and marketing of medical and adult-use cannabis products. Fellow co-chair Joshua Horn, based in Philadelphia, stands out for his ‘deep regulatory knowledge’ and assists clients entering new markets and navigating M&A, capital raises, and other commercial transactions. In West Palm Beach, Sean Coyle handles corporate matters, including M&A, divestitures, joint ventures, and private equity transactions, while Vijay Choksi leverages his former in-house experience at a medical marijuana company to advise on state and federal laws and regulations.

Husch Blackwell LLP provides a full-service offering across the marijuana and hemp industries, covering regulatory and transactional work, as well as corporate matters, litigation, tax, and IP. Based in Denver, practice heads Steven Levine and Marshall Custer are renowned for their ‘deep’ experience in providing ‘thoughtful, practical’ advice to multi-state cannabis clients operating in or entering the market. Also based in Denver, Megan Beebe and Lindy Martinez handle the full range of commercial transactions - including financing and M&A - contractual agreements, and corporate formation and governance. Oakland-based Alyssa Samuel is recognized for going ‘above and beyond’ in corporate structuring, fundraising, M&A, and regulatory matters, with particular expertise in guiding early-stage companies. Hilary Bricken is no longer at the firm.

With nationwide presence, Zuber Lawler‘s ‘experienced’ team provides a comprehensive offering across regulatory, transactional, and IP matters to clients throughout the cannabis sector—from cultivators and distributors to investors and financial institutions. Leveraging its cross-border capabilities, the practice also guides hemp companies on trade issues across North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Managing partner and practice head Thomas Zuber is trusted by clients for IP and commercial litigation in ‘challenging’ regulatory environments. Jeffrey Zuber handles high-profile commercial litigation, including corporate and partnership disputes, with trial and appellate experience in federal and state courts. James Raza Lawrence focuses on the cannabis and psychedelics industries, bringing extensive experience in transactions and national and international regulatory matters. All lawyers mentioned are based in Los Angeles.

Dykema Gossett PLLC covers the full range of cannabis matters, including transactional, regulatory, litigation, IP, and contractual issues. Its client base spans licensed cannabis businesses and service providers, including financial institutions and commercial landlords. Primarily based in Michigan, the team is jointly led by Lance Boldrey and John Fraser. Boldrey handles the full spectrum of licensing and regulatory matters and is actively involved in shaping Michigan’s cannabis regulatory landscape. Supported by Cheyenne Benyi-Boruta, Fraser regularly advises early-stage cannabis businesses and market entrants, guiding them through the licensing process and maintaining regulatory compliance. Samuel Kilberg focuses on real estate-related matters.

With presence across key markets, including Denver, New York, and Los Angeles, Greenspoon Marder LLP advises cannabis businesses and investors on a wide range of matters, from licensing and litigation to regulatory and compliance issues. The team is also recognized for providing ‘excellent’ tax advice. The practice is co-led by Denver-based Nick Richards, who focuses on representing businesses in tax audits and trials, M&A, and tax debt, and Chicago-based Irina Dashevsky, who advises multi-state operators, investors, and social equity entrants on regulatory and litigation matters. Fellow co-head Matthew Ginder, in Boca Raton, represents cannabis and hemp clients in licensing, regulatory, and compliance work, also advising ancillary service providers to the industry.

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP delivers ‘highly skilled’ advice to cannabis, hemp, and ancillary companies on a wide range of matters, including regulatory compliance, licensing, and dispute resolution. A one-stop shop, the firm is also trusted for IP, tax, and corporate transactions. Practice leadership is shared between Whitt Steineker, in Alabama - recognized for his ‘strategic’ advice to cannabis operators and others engaging with the industry - and Slates Veazey, who focuses on Mississippi’s developing medical cannabis market. Fellow co-chair Hunter Robinson, based in Tennessee, advises on the intersection of cannabis law, finance, and regulation.

With offices in New York and Oakland, cannabis boutique Feuerstein Kulick delivers ‘practical, business-minded advice’ to nationwide operators, investors, and ancillary companies, as well as brands and license holders. Valued for its industry specialization, the firm covers the full spectrum of cannabis matters, including regulatory, litigation, corporate, tax, and debt finance. Seasoned litigator David Feuerstein focuses on complex commercial litigation, real estate disputes, and government investigations. Samantha Gleit advises companies, credit funds, and financial institutions on debt finance and out-of-court corporate restructuring. Mitchell Kulick and Bryan Meltzer jointly handle corporate matters, while Justin Singer covers licensing and regulatory affairs. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP delivers sophisticated counsel to cannabis and CBD clients across corporate, transactional, regulatory, and contentious matters, while also guiding financial institutions navigating the evolving cannabis banking space. Los Angeles-based Anita Famili leads the practice, bringing substantial experience advising cultivators, operators, landlords, and distributors on corporate structuring, M&A transactions, joint ventures, and partnerships.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP

Cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics boutique Vicente LLP guides clients through the full spectrum of the cannabis industry’s regulatory framework, counseling on licensing applications, compliance monitoring, transactions, and policy initiatives. Denver-based Brian Vicente and Shawn Hauser bring vast experience in licensing, compliance, product development, and policy matters. Charles Alovisetti, in Maryland, advises on high-value transactions, while Boston-based Adam Fine is trusted for corporate matters. Cassia Furman, in Los Angeles, focuses on the intersection between land use, real estate, and cannabis regulation, with New York’s Brandon Kurtzman supporting market entrants, social equity applicants, and multi-state operators in navigating the regulatory framework of emerging state markets.

Present across key markets, Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP provides ‘multi-faceted’ support to clients on cannabis and hemp-related regulatory compliance, insurance matters, and high-impact litigation. The practice is co-chaired from Los Angeles by Dean Rocco, who supports clients in corporate matters, licensing applications, and commercial transactions, and Ian Stewart, who handles regulatory compliance and risk management for cannabis and hemp operators, as well as employment matters. New York-based Jonathan Meer is well versed in insurance coverage for directors and officers, while William Tolin Gay, also in Los Angeles, focuses on financing agreements.