Cannabis, Hemp, Psychedelics
Corporate & Litigation
Lisa L. Pittman, Esq.
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The complex interplay of contradictory federal and state laws with exacting state regulatory requirements, compounded by obstacles in banking, tax, and insurance, take experience and skill to navigate.
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I have that experience.
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Risk management and mitigation are the name of the game in cautiously scaling a business in an environment of the unknown involving constantly evolving laws and policies.
Houston Court of Appeals
Pittman Legal By The Numbers:
8 years of dedication to the Emerging Cannabis Industry in Texas and the South.
25 years of traditional trial, regulatory, and corporate experience in multiple states.
2 years spent in Colorado’s complicated regulated legal market.
8 State and federal court admissions.
1 Federal Amicus Brief filed against the DEA on behalf of Dr. Sue Sisley.
12 Awards, recognitions, and appointments resulting from cannabis legal and advocacy work.
50+ Speaking Engagements on marijuana, hemp, and psychedelics.
90+ Publications on marijuana, hemp, and psychedelics, and multiple press features including
The New York Times, Forbes, Law 360, The Washington Post, The Dallas Morning News, The Houston Chronicle, Texas Tribune, Marijuana Moment, Hemp Industry Daily, MJ Biz Daily, and numerous interviews on newscasts and podcasts.
Houston Court of Appeals
Our Practice
Pittman Legal represents marijuana and hemp cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, dispensaries/retail stores/ecommerce, asset holding companies, as well as investors into all of these. Pittman Legal also represents ancillary service businesses, banks, universities and research institutions.
Over the course of representing and advocating for clients in cannabis for seven years in multiple states, Pittman Legal has developed relationships to strategically partner with other attorneys, lobbyists, business professionals, banks, CPAs, insurance brokers, consulting groups, trade organizations, and multi-state operator clients across the country.
Pittman Legal understands the importance of aligning with State governing and regulatory officials in charge of hemp and marijuana programs, not just in Texas but also in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Lousiana, Arkansas, and the rest of the South. Pittman Legal is also involved in the emerging psychedelics scene, working to launch vital research to support legalization for therapeutic use.
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CO Court of Appeals
Practice Areas
Licensing and Regulatory
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Licenses to cultivate, manufacture, distribute, or sell marijuana, hemp and hemp cannabinoids
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Federal, state, and local risk assessments & strategies
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Administrative action defense
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Compliance guidance
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FDA labeling guidance and marketing requirements
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State by state advertising and operating strategy for compliance with state law and local regulation
Litigation
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State and federal civil lawsuits, such as breach of contract, fraud/misrepresentation, partnership/shareholder disputes
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Product liability and recall
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Trademark and patent infringement
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Employment claims
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Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
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Challenges to state regulatory programs
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Appeals
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Amicus Curiae briefs
Corporate
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Corporate formation and structure
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State residency requirement strategies
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Comprehensive contracts
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Partnership and operating agreements
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Due diligence
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Real estate
Intellectual Property
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Trademark and patent enforcement
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Licensing agreements
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Trade secrets and proprietary information protection
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Marketing and branding
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Trademarks
Insurance
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Analysis to acquire appropriate insurance policies for marijuana, hemp and ancillary services businesses
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Negotiation with Insurers over policy exclusions and endorsements
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Risk distribution and shifting to optimize coverage
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Negotiation and settlement of insurance claims
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Disputes against insurers for denied, underpaid, and late claims
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Guidance in hiring and firing
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Employee handbooks and training
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Employment issues related to cannabis legalization
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Employment contracts, independent contractor agreements, consulting contracts, and professional services agreements
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Nondisclosure, nonsolicitation, and noncompete agreements
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Negotiation of employment related disputes
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Representation in employment related litigation
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Discharge related settlements
Employment
Banking
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Perform legal analysis
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Advice on contracts, disclaimers and limitations of liabilities, and risk shifting provisions
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Education regarding FinCEN guidance, Anti-Money Laundering, RICO, Bank Secrecy, and Patriot Act compliance
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Acquisition of banking services
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Representation in litigation
Outside General Counsel
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Long term relationship aware of your specific goals and challenges
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Cost effective ongoing representation and availability
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Daily business and operational consultation
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Ongoing risk mitigation and preventative measures
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Consistent and reliable contract and negotiation services
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Connections with attorneys in other jurisdictions and specialties
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On demand tailor made service at a flat monthly rate
Psychedelics
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Research program compliance
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Policy initiatives
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Legislative advocacy
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All manners of regulatory compliance and corporate representation
Mediation & Arbitration
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Mediation is a procedure in which the parties discuss their disputes with the assistance of a trained impartial third person who assists them in reaching a settlement. It may be an informal meeting among the parties or a scheduled settlement conference. The goal is to settle out of court and avoid protracted litigation.
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Certified mediator and arbitrator by University of Texas Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution
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Flexible and efficient conflict resolution 
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Preparation for and representation in mediation
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Perform mediations and arbitrations tailored to all varieties of commercial disputes between cannabis companies and individuals
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Unique combination of 25 years trial experience and 7 years of marijuana and hemp regulatory experience in 10+ states
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Settlement recommendations
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Lawsuit analysis
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Click here for service tailored specifically to alternative dispute resolutions.
Criminal Law
Have you been arrested or detained?
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Many people are not aware that a vape pen or an edible puts you into felony territory, and in much of Texas, you will be arrested and/or charged with felony, and if you have a quantity of it, including at a store, you will be charged with felony marijuana distribution.
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I work closely with trusted criminal lawyers to assist in explaining the new hemp laws to prosecutors. Believe it or not, not everyone is on board!
I can help find you an attorney should you find yourself in such a situation.
