Emerging Markets: Adult-Use – The Newest States Taking it to a Higher Level

Andrea Steel Related Seminars and Products

Principal

The Banks Law Firm, P.A.

Andrea Steel is a principal with The Banks Law Firm, where she leads the Firm’s Cannabis practice in addition to bringing extensive experience in affordable housing and community economic development law. With over 20 years of experience in law and criminal justice, Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to her diverse clientele.

Andrea is a pioneer in the rapidly evolving cannabis industry, with deep rooted knowledge and experience, having been pivotal in securing a number of significant results impacting the industry at both state and federal levels. Andrea advises cannabis business clients, from startups to established enterprises across the supply chain, both plant-touching and ancillary, from cultivators to retailers, as well as manufacturers, distributors, testing labs, landlords, property owners, lenders and more. Her practice encompasses legalities and strategic advising for businesses with respect to all forms of cannabis, inclusive of hemp, cannabinoids (biosynthetic, semi-synthetic, synthetic, hemp-derived and other chemical forms, including delta-8 THC and other novel substances), medical marijuana, and adult-use marijuana, serving clients across the country with a focus on Texas. She advises on regulatory compliance, cannabis business licensing, risk analysis and mitigation strategizing, product labeling/marketing, entity formation, entity structuring and governance, contract negotiations, and real estate issues.

Andrea has also provided subject matter expertise to several other attorneys and law firms in various business transactions as well as litigation matters, assisting other lawyers in navigating the complexities with their clients. She has helped shape laws and policy in both Texas and federally, providing useful insight and specific language with respect to formulating statutes and regulations, an area Andrea truly enjoys.

In the affordable housing area, Andrea represents both for-profit and non-profit developers across the country, including public and private entities, as well as public housing authorities and tax increment reinvestment zones. Her work is concentrated on the legal representation of developers of affordable housing utilizing both 9% and 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, tax exempt bond financing, CDBG and HOME Program funding and other federal, state and local subsidy and economic development programs, as well as stimulus grants created in response to disaster recovery and economic downturn rescue programs such as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), COVID-19 Economic Relief Bill (CARES Act), Housing and Economic Recovery Act, and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, including the Tax Credit Assistance Program, Tax Credit Exchange Program (Section 1602 Program), Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Community Development Block Grants Disaster Recovery funding, and Economic Development Administration grants.

Andrea serves as a Board Member of the International Cannabis Bar Association and serves as Vice President of Operations as well as co-chair of its Legislative Advisement Committee. Andrea has also served as a Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s Cannabis Law and Policy Committee since 2021. She is a sought-after speaker at industry events, providing insight into recently approved and proposed laws, rules and regulations and other cannabis business matters. At her prior firm, she successfully launched, led and grew their cannabis business practice group.

Eliyahu Scheiman, J.D. Related Seminars and Products

General Counsel

Inperium, Inc.

Eli has been focusing on complex commercial litigation, insurance coverage, employment counseling, and appellate work since 2007.  After becoming a Principal of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. in 2017, Eli helped launch the firm’s cannabis practice, and the related cannabis practice of the firm’s compliance subsidiary, PCS, with a national focus on cannabis licensing and compliance and business and corporate counseling for cannabis and hemp/CBD companies. He also chaired the International Cannabis Bar Association’s Legislative Advisement Committee for several years.   

Rob DiPisa Related Seminars and Products

Cole Schotz P.C.

As Co-Chair of the firm’s Cannabis Law Group, Rob counsels clients regarding regulatory compliance, risk management, governmental affairs, licensing and the leasing and acquisition of real property in connection with cannabis related uses. He employs a grass-roots approach that is pivotal in breaking the stigma associated with cannabis and its derivatives. He is a frequent presenter on the health and economic benefits, lectures courses on cannabis law and is a member of several trade organizations including New Jersey CannaBusiness Association and REVEL. In addition, Robert is a contributor to national publications on this topic such as MarketWatch, Bloomberg Law, Marijuana Business Daily and the Wall Street Journal. Robert was recently recognized as a “Cannabis Law Trailblazer” by The National Law Journal, a “New Leader of the Bar” honoree by New Jersey Law Journal as well as a "Leader in the Law" by NJBIZ for his work in this sector.

Eric D Postow Related Seminars and Products

Managing Partner

Holon Law Partners

As Managing Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Holon Law Partners, Eric Postow spearheads the firm’s growth by cultivating strategic relationships and driving revenue. His entrepreneurial background includes the successful founding and national expansion of the Cannabis Practice Group at a previous law firm.

Eric specializes in Outside General Counsel services for regulated sectors such as industrial hemp, cannabis, and psychedelics. His comprehensive expertise includes strategic negotiation, contract drafting, brand development, employment law, and complex litigation practice. 

With a diverse client portfolio ranging from multi-state operators to local family-owned businesses, Eric’s strategic insight and tailored legal support are instrumental in enabling them to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. 

A staunch advocate for the cannabis industry, Eric’s courtroom management and leadership in Rohrabacher-Farr litigation defense for medicinal cannabis stakeholders have solidified his reputation as a preeminent expert.

Licensed in Virginia, Eric is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, DC. He also holds pro-hac vice membership in the United States District Court for the District of Maine.

Eric is an engaged member of esteemed organizations such as the NAACP, the International Cannabis Bar Association, NORML, and is a founding member of the Psychedelic Bar Association where he serves on the Religious Use Committee. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife Brittany and children Max, Zevi, and Sela.