Experienced Attorney, with a demonstrated history of excellence in the practice of law, the leadership of teams, and the financial success of organizations. Strong legal professional skilled in cannabis regulations and compliance, legislative policy for children and families, litigation, negotiation, mediation, multi-disciplinary cooperation, and child welfare. 

Before pursuing a law degree, garnered significant contract and business experience through entrepreneurial and professional positions, including Management Consultant, Director of Operations, Non-Profit Director, and Human Resources/Accounting Administrator.

Mr. Evans has decades of experience consulting with treatment programs on regulatory, policy and human resource matters. Addiction treatment providers are not immune to lawsuits or regulatory complaints. Providers must review their treatment protocols and workplace policies to ensure compliance and confidentiality. Treatment facilities must sort through the maze of regulations and confidentiality requirements imposed by state and federal law. Mr. Evans can help to keep you within the law and to help you to resolve complaints.

Carmela De Luca is a partner with Bereskin & Parr LLP and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Carmela is a lawyer and registered patent agent in Canada and the United States and practices in all areas of intellectual property, focusing on patent matters, particularly for life science companies. She advises clients on strategic global aspects of obtaining and managing patent portfolios, as well as in the preparation and procurement of patents and industrial designs. She works closely with clients including start-ups, universities as well as multinationals in preparing and prosecuting patent applications relating to biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biologics, diagnostics, green technologies and other areas in the life sciences. Carmela is also active in the analysis of patent issues such as validity, infringement and freedom to operate.

While obtaining her Ph.D. from McGill University, Carmela conducted research in the areas of inflammation, signal transduction and virology. Prior to earning a law degree, Carmela worked as a post-doctoral fellow at a research institute of an international biotechnology company where her research focused on cancer cell biology, genetic engineering, genetic screens and genomics. Her educational and research background provides her with a depth of knowledge and experiences to assist her clients in a wide range of cutting edge technologies.

Carmela is the founding and Emeritus Co-chair and steering committee member of the Greater Montréal Chapter of Women in Bio (WIB). She is also the current co-chair of the Young WIB (YWIB) committee organizing STEM events for high school students. She has been a faculty member of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada's (IPIC) Patent Drafting Course and regularly presents at the IPIC/McGill Summer Course. She is actively involved in supporting entrepreneurs and regularly lectures on the fundamentals of IP. Additionally, Carmela is a member of the Advisory Board of the Clinical Innovation Platform (CLIP) of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre for the 2021-2023 term.

Winner of National Law Journal’s “2019 Finance, Banking, & Capital Markets Trailblazer” award, Steve Schain runs 100% woman owned, national cannabis law firm Smart-Counsel, LLC's PA and NJ practices and Chair its Financial Services Group. Admitted to practice in PA and New Jersey, Steve represents entities, governments and individuals in litigation, regulation and compliance, license applications, entity formation, and drafting legislation. Steve is also an Adjunct Faculty Member of, and teaches “Cannabis Law” at, Stockton University, one of only 5 universities offering a minor in Cannabis Studies. A nationally recognized Cannabis, banking law and consumer finance litigation expert, Steve serves as a court appointed judge pro tempore and arbitrator, is a The Legal Intelligencer, New Jersey Law Journal, and Cannabis Business Executive columnist, and frequent presenter for the National Cannabis Industry Association, International Cannabis Bar Association, Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Group, Marijuana Business Daily, Pennsylvania Bar Institute and National Bar Institute.

Ben Barlow’s practice focuses on litigation at both the trial and appellate levels where he advises both employers and employees on labor and employment matters (including discrimination; wage and hour issues; non-compete agreements and other restrictive covenants; and issues related to security clearances, debarment, and government contracts).  Ben has represented clients in copyright, trademark, and domain name disputes before federal courts in Virginia and Maryland, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court (cert. denied).  Additionally, Ben is experienced in general commercial litigation and arbitration and in defamation suits.

Amber Littlejohn has served as a lawyer, strategist, and advocate for businesses in emerging markets for more than 15 years, providing government and business affairs services to businesses, nonprofit organizations, and lawmakers in regulated industries. She creates innovative legislative, regulatory, and public engagement strategies to access and grow markets, stabilize supply chains, and reduce crisis frequency and reach.

Named a Top Cannabis Lobbyist by Business Insider, Amber is a nationally recognized voice for the cannabis industry and related policy initiatives appearing regularly in national media outlets. She has testified before Congress on issues including small business capital access and cannabis legalization. She engages regularly with lawmakers and regulators at all levels of government. Prior to her work in cannabis, she was a business owner, strategist, and advocate for specialty consumer packaged goods and consumer health products including dietary supplements and sports nutrition products. 

Prior to joining Ice Miller, Amber was president and chief strategic officer for a public affairs firm that served to provide solutions in the areas of legislative and regulatory policy development, as well as government and regulatory affairs. She has also served as policy counsel and a consultant for several organizations in Washington, D.C.