Ethical Issues in Representing Cannabis Clients: Conflicting Marijuana Laws, Model Rules, Ethics Opinions

Larry Sandell, a registered patent attorney with Mei & Mark LLP and the head of the firm’s cannabis practice, focuses his practice on counseling clients on strategic intellectual property matters; drafting and prosecuting patent applications; litigating infringement and other matters in federal district courts and the International Trade Commission; arguing federal appeals, and handling Amazon.com take-down disputes. Mr. Sandell has a passion for advising start-ups and other innovative companies on Intellectual Property matters – and focuses on cannabis, consumer electronics, medical devices, food science, and software technology areas. He has argued in the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Federal Circuit, the Ninth Circuit, and the D.C. Circuit. Mr. Sandell is frequently quoted in media regarding the intersection of IP and the cannabis business, including by Forbes.com and Marijuana Moment. Before law school, Larry fought for marijuana law reform, serving as the Marijuana Policy Project’s Assistant Director of State Policies and running a signature drive that placed a cannabis legalization initiative on Nevada’s 2006 ballot. Larry is a member of the California and District of Columbia Bars and is admitted to practice before various federal courts, including the Supreme Court of the United States. He earned his J.D., with high honors, for The George Washington School of Law, where he was awarded membership in the Order of the Coif. Larry earned a B.S.E., with distinction, from Duke University with a double major in biomedical and electrical engineering.