Burns & Levinson and Vicente Sederberg LLP are joining forces to offer the most comprehensive, best-in-class legal services to the cannabis industry. The first-of-its-kind nationwide collaboration will provide businesses, individuals and other clients with access to the specialized knowledge of each firm, as well as decades of combined cannabis industry experience.
“We are very excited about this joint venture and the opportunity to work more closely with Vicente Sederberg,” said Burns & Levinson partner Frank A. Segall, who co-chairs the firm’s Cannabis Business & Law Advisory Group with partner Scott Moskol. “Through this collaboration, clients will have access to two powerhouse cannabis law firms that can serve all of their legal and business needs.”
“Vicente Sederberg is the most knowledgeable firm in the country on cannabis regulatory and licensing issues, and we are the most experienced in cannabis-related corporate, M&A and financing issues. Combining our strengths makes us even more powerful advocates for our clients,” added Moskol.
Burns & Levinson and Vicente Sederberg have previously worked together informally. Recent projects include obtaining a $20 million financing for one of Vicente Sederberg’s clients; developing a cannabis industry franchise model for one of Burns & Levinson’s clients; and handling the pending acquisitions of three cannabis license holders (two in California and one in Oregon) for a Burns & Levinson client that is a Nevada-based holding company. The deals were all structured separately and are conditioned on the state regulatory authorities approving the change in ownership on the license (currently awaiting regulatory approval).
“We established this formal strategic alliance with Burns & Levinson because our firms’ core competencies complement each other perfectly,” said Adam Fine, managing partner of Vicente Sederberg’s Boston office. “This collaboration creates a unique opportunity for cannabis businesses to work with two firms at the forefront of cannabis law and commerce. We have been working with the cannabis industry since its inception — long before most law firms developed an interest.”
Charles Alovisetti, chair of Vicente Sederberg's Corporate group, added: “While it is rare for two law firms to join forces in such a strategic way, we highly value each other’s experience and are proud to offer cannabis and hemp clients the broadest suite of services available in the marketplace.”