Greenspoon Marder Announces Launch of Cannabis Law Practice

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. – June 6, 2016 – The law firm of Greenspoon Marder is pleased to announce the opening of new officesin Las Vegas, Denver, and San Diego – three cities in regions that are central to the advancements, legalization and regulation of cannabis including medical marijuana, hemp, and Cannabidiol (CBD).
 
Greenspoon Marder maintains a national corporate practice in highly-regulated industries such as healthcare, alcohol, firearmsand tobacco, which positions the firm to expand these existing practice areas to include a national Cannabis Law practice focused on representing investors, private equity funds, public companies, health care providers, growers, processors and retailers navigate complex and evolving regulations governing the cannabis sector.  The firm also intends to implement a rigorous compliance program for its clients, including educational and safety initiatives which are necessary as the industry matures.
 
Greenspoon Marder’s substantial expertise in representing clients in regulated industries will allow it to be one of the first firms ofits size with a dedicated team of attorneys servicing the $5.4 billion legalized, medicinal cannabis market. Twenty-five states andWashington, D.C. have currently legalized cannabis and medical marijuana in some form, and several states have cannabis billspending legislative approval.
 
“We recognize the evolving needs of the cannabis business community and aim to service clients on a national level,” commentedGerald Greenspoon, Co-Managing Director of Greenspoon Marder. “Our firm plans to continue to extend our presence and openadditional offices in states that are likely to play a key role in shaping the cannabis industry.”
 
As a cornerstone of Greenspoon Marder’s expansion, the firm welcomes five new attorneys; each will play a critical role in thegrowth of the new practice areas and new offices.
 
Rachel K. Gillette joined the firm as a Shareholder and the founding member of the Denver office, and Lance Rogers has joinedthe firm as a Shareholder to found the San Diego office. As recognized authorities on cannabis law in the United States, Gilletteand Rogers will spearhead the launch and growth of the firm’s Cannabis Law practice.
 
Gillette’s areas of practice include marijuana/cannabis business licensing and regulatory compliance, business law andtransactions, contract drafting and review, civil litigation, corporate formation, and tax matters, including audit representation.Gillette has vast experience in the cannabis and hemp industries, having represented state and locally licensed marijuana andhemp businesses in Colorado since 2010.
 
Rogers handles a wide array of matters related to cannabis in both his litigation and corporate practices including civil rights,asset forfeiture, land use, business disputes and municipal zoning challenges. He has represented many of the country’s leadingcannabis retailers, manufacturers and agriculture companies. Rogers obtained the first dispensary license in Southern Californiathrough the County of San Diego in 2011 and continues to assist clients in securing commercial cannabis licenses in San Diegoand throughout California.
 
Additionally, the firm welcomes Phillip Silvestri, Neal Gidvani and Vincent Aiello to its new Las Vegas office. Silvestri and Gidvanirepresent creditors in complex default-related litigation, bankruptcy, and foreclosure matters, as well as work with state and localofficials in representing clients in the cannabis sector and other highly regulated industries. Aiello’s practice encompassesbusiness succession and asset protection planning, employment law, fiduciary litigation, and real and intellectual propertydevelopment. Aiello also handles complex commercial real estate transactions, land development, land use, planning & zoning matters including time-share projects and multi-family residential acquisitions.
 
The attorneys will join current firm shareholder Amy Sances, a prominent member of the firm’s Resort & Hospitality Practice, inthe new Las Vegas office. Together with Messrs. Silvestri, Gidvani and Aiello, Ms. Sances will work to expand the firm’s corecapabilities in real estate, hospitality, gaming and alcohol beverage law into the West.