Cannabis and Hemp

Griffen Thorne, Program Chair, is an attorney at Harris Bricken, an international emerging markets law firm. As part of Harris Bricken’s corporate cannabis and hemp teams, Griffen advises clients on obtaining licenses and permits, regulatory compliance, entity formation and structuring, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, contract drafting and negotiation, and obtaining and protecting intellectual property.

Caroline B. Banzali is a partner at Baker Tilly US LLP and leads the firm’s M&A Tax Practice as well as the Cannabis Practice. She is a dedicated and seasoned tax professional with a unique law perspective. She has over 20 years of experience providing clients with strategic planning and execution of mergers and acquisition transactions. She has experience and background as both a service provider and corporate executive.

Oren Bitan, shareholder with Buchalter PC, has an extensive legal background that includes business, real estate, banking, receivership, consumer product, and commercial litigation. He is a trusted advisor who guides his clients through their day to day legal concerns, and has particular expertise in matters involving real estate, banking and lending, creditors’ rights, wine, beer, liquor, cannabis, and intellectual property.

Nathalie Bougenies, an attorney at Harris Bricken, focuses on the regulatory framework of hemp-derived CBD products. She is an authority on FDA enforcement, Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act and other laws and regulations surrounding hemp and Hemp CBD products. She also advises domestic and international clients on the sale, distribution, marketing, labeling, importation and exportation of these products.

Yelena Katchko is a founding member and equity partner of Katchko Vitiello & Karikomi PC. She focuses her practice on corporate law, licensing, and regulatory compliance with a heavy focus on commercial cannabis industry. Her efforts are now dedicated to transitioning her clients to the new regulated and licensed framework. She has been involved in shaping Medicinal and Adult Use regulations in LA and California. 

Shahiedah Palmer is a cannabis attorney at Arent Fox LLP, where she advises businesses throughout California on compliance with local and state cannabis laws, and supports deals involving the merger and acquisition of cannabis businesses. She previously worked at the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Office, where she helped to develop local cannabis policy, and monitored developments in cannabis law and policy.

Brian A. Ross is a partner at Ross Legal Corporation, Inc. and an experienced in-house General Counsel. For nearly 20 years, he has worked with emerging companies in the New Media, Technology, Networking, Social Media, Apparel and Energy industries. He has experience in commercial transactions, IP, leadership, data privacy, global legal & regulatory compliance, security, risk mitigation, and corporate governance.

Philip Snow is an attorney at the Kight Law Office, where he focuses on providing his clients solutions-based advice for the cannabis industry. After having spent the initial part of his career focusing on THC and marijuana, he recently shifted to hemp and other cannabinoids. He regularly advises on industry-specific compliance, FDA and FTC regulations, contract drafting and negotiating, as well as emerging cannabinoids.

Taylor C. Wagniere currently works for the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office where she advises the Department of Cannabis Regulation. Since she began in 2018, Los Angeles has grown into the largest regulated cannabis market in California. She currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Women Lawyers Association of LA and is a founding member of the LA County Bar Association's new Cannabis Section.