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Business Law - Finance 301: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Litigation When Your Client’s Cannabis Business Investment Goes Up In Smoke
The legal cannabis industry is expanding rapidly worldwide. In North America alone, the industry is expected to grow to $50 billion by the end of the decade. But where there is smoke, there is fire. Class action lawsuits against cannabis companies are on the rise, driven by this industry growth, regulatory concerns, and stock price volatility, and publicly traded companies are not alone. Private companies face unhappy or disillusioned investors as well, who often did not understand for what they signed up when joining the “Green Rush.” This panel of seasoned litigators will discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of cannabis finance and investment litigation.
Jeffrey Barr, Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Jeffrey F. Barr is a partner in the firm’s Corporate Services practice group with more than 20 years of eclectic legal experience. While Jeff focuses his practice on counseling clients in the marijuana and hemp industries with respect to business transactions, commercial litigation, real estate, crisis management, and government relations, he also has experience with municipal law and has handled civil rights matters for his clients. Jeff has litigated corporate disputes, contract issues, and comprehensive regulatory controversies in the Nevada cannabis industry. He has counseled marijuana clients in connection with choosing proposed facility sites; helped clients understand and secure zoning and land use approvals; negotiated and drafted cannabis asset/equity purchase contracts, management agreements, employment agreements, commercial financing contracts, licensing agreements, and leases; and managed government affairs on behalf of marijuana clients. Jeff also handles appeals before the Supreme Court of Nevada and the Ninth Circuit for clients in all industries.
Robert Becher, Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP
Jennifer Cabrera, Counsel, Vicente LLP
Jennifer Cabrera is counsel in the firm’s New York and New Jersey offices, where she focuses on licensing and regulatory matters. Her clients include existing medical operators in both New York and New Jersey, as well as businesses and individuals seeking new adult-use and medical licenses. She prepares state and local licensing applications in both states. Jennifer works with Vicente Sederberg’s National Licensing Team and has served as lead attorney on competitive applications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. A native of Newark, New Jersey, Jennifer manages the firm’s New Jersey office and is actively involved in promoting and working with small and locally-owned businesses across the region.
Prior to joining Vicente Sederberg in 2019, Jennifer’s practice focused on commercial litigation and arbitration. She began her legal career at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, representing clients in complex commercial disputes, and later managed a boutique law firm, which gave her a crucial perspective on the experience of business owners.
Jennifer holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, Harvard Law School, and the University of Cambridge. She previously served as adjunct faculty at the law schools of Duke, Fordham, and St. John’s. She is a member of the board of the National Hispanic Cannabis Council and the Harvard Club of New York City.
Jeffrey Matura, Founding Shareholder, Barrett Matura
Katy Young, Managing Partner, Ad Astra Law Group, LLP
Katy M. Young, Esq. MANAGING PARTNER, Ad Astra Law Group, LLP in San Francisco, CA
Katy represents both plaintiffs and defendants in business disputes, real estate claims and intellectual
property litigation, with a unique focus on matters for cannabis industry litigants. Katy is one of the most
experienced cannabis-focused civil litigators in the country and has been recognized by the Daily Journal
for her work. She is passionate about the industry and enjoys the challenges inherent in litigating cases
on the cutting edge, thereby shaping policy. Katy is graduate of University of San Francisco School of Law
and University of the Pacific where she was a scholarship athlete. She has been named a Northern
California Super Lawyer in 2022 and a Rising Star from 2014 through 2022. In 2018-2022, she was named
to Benchmark Litigation’s Top 40 Under 40 Hot List. She also served as the President of the InterNational
Cannabis Bar Association for four years, and was recently nominated to join the Edward J McFetridge Inn
of Court executive committee. Katy is active in other networking organizations including the ProVisors
Cannabis Affinity Group, the Bar Association of San Francisco Cannabis section, and the California
Lawyers Association Cannabis Working Group.
