Human Capital: How to Manage Transitions in Changing Markets

Lauren Rudick Related Seminars and Products

Managing Principal

Rudick Law Group, PLLC

Lauren previously co-founded of Hiller, PC's cannabis law practice. What started as a
passion project in patient rights during a brief residency in California, Lauren has become
one of the Nation’s preeminent cannabis attorneys. Her practice is centered upon the
representation of start-up organizations and investors. With her diverse background in
corporate law, litigation, and land-use and zoning, she provides clients with the most up-
to-date information necessary to operate and invest in successful cannabis and ancillary
businesses. Lauren has run successful applications in competitive medical cannabis states
and adult-use markets alike, and represents a broad spectrum of cannabis and hemp
clients, including plant-touching breeders, cultivators, processors, and product
manufacturers; investors, including family offices and angels; and multiple ancillary
businesses, including networking associations, packaging businesses, ingredient
manufacturers, medical professionals, and industry consultants. Lauren is also a member
of the legal team that brought an action against former Attorney General Sessions and the
federal government seeking, among other things, a declaration that the mis-classification
of cannabis as a Schedule I drug is unconstitutional, on, among other things, due process,
equal protection, free speech, and commerce clause grounds.

Lauren is an Expert Contributor to Marijuana Venture Magazine, a frequent
speaker at national and local cannabis events, including, among others, MJ Biz Con, the
Cannabis World Congress & Business Exposition, NCIA, Emerald Cup, and the Women
Grow Leadership Summit and provides pro bono legal and advocacy services to the
Cannabis Cultural Association, among others. Lauren also serves on the Executive
Committee of the Board of Directors for the International Cannabis Bar Association, as
the organization’s Treasurer. Lauren enjoys an extensive network of cannabis
professionals nationwide, enabling her to provide full legal and business services to her
clients.

Brandon Wyatt Related Seminars and Products

Principal Attorney

Wyatt Legal & Consulting

Brandon Wyatt is a decorated army combat soldier and disabled veteran. He received his J.D. from Howard University School of Law and is admitted to practice in Maryland. Mr. Wyatt is a member of the Board of Directors of the Minority Cannabis Business Association and currently serves as the organization’s Secretary. His legal career has included drug and civil rights policy work at the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, delivering both state and federal labor and employment representation, conducting investigations, writing final agency decisions, facilitating contract negotiation and interpretation, small business and entrepreneurial development, real estate development and management, ensuring compliance settlement/coordination within federal courts and administrative agencies and providing representation at arbitration.

In 2014, Mr. Wyatt and partners Todd Hughes and James Smaugh founded the Washington, D.C. firm EntreVation (Entrepreneurship + Innovation) to foster corporate social responsibility and advocate for veteran and minority access to medicine and business in the cannabis industry. The EntreVation team has sponsored and produced numerous events and classes and has met with federal and state legislators, business owners, representatives of law schools, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the White House and many others to discuss and advocate for equity in the industry.

Since 2016, he has been awarded multiple grants to assist the Maryland state cannabis program address diversity-related issues and has taught several state-funded cannabis applicant workshops as well as lectured for Patients Out of Time and the Weed for Warriors Project.

Jennifer Fisher Related Seminars and Products

Partner

Goodwin Procter LLP

Jennifer Fisher is a partner in Goodwin’s Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice, and a co-chair of the firm’s Cannabis practice. She is the head of the Litigation department for Northern California. She focuses her practice on litigation, including commercial litigation and white collar defense, and on cannabis law. Jennifer has represented corporations and individuals involved in a broad range of complex and high stakes litigation, legislative, and administrative proceedings.

Jennifer provides advice on regulatory and compliance issues and counsels companies involved in government investigations and civil litigation. Her experience includes the defense of corporations and individuals in both criminal and civil matters, including those involving public corruption, health care fraud, antitrust offenses, RICO, false claims, government contract disputes, homeland security and customs enforcement, and financial services.

Jennifer’s background in handling complex matters for companies in highly-regulated markets led to the development of her cannabis practice. She represents cannabis companies at every level of the supply chain, including startups and multi-state operators. Jennifer also regularly advises investors in the cannabis space and ancillary businesses providing products and services to the cannabis industry. She works closely with her cannabis industry clients to solve business problems and provide advice on regulatory and compliance issues. Jennifer represents cannabis industry clients in active litigation and arbitration, as well as government investigations and enforcement actions.

Prior to joining Goodwin in 2020, Jennifer was a partner at Duane Morris, where she led the firm’s Cannabis Industry group.

Lorenzo Lisi Related Seminars and Products

Aird & Berlis LLP

Lorenzo is Leader of the firm's Workplace Law Group. He has practised exclusively in the area of labour and employment law for over 30 years, representing employers on all areas touching labour and employment law, both provincially and federally. 

Lorenzo has developed a practical, business-oriented approach and has built a long list of loyal clients who depend on him for direct solutions, risk analysis and strategic advice. Cognizant of the time pressures and deadlines most employers experience in today’s workplace, he combines focused, calm and proactive advice with exceptional client service, while remaining approachable to all levels of the organization.

His expertise spans the broad spectrum of workplace law, whether it be defending employers against employee claims (wrongful and constructive dismissal, human rights, harassment) or dealing with a unionized workplace. He has extensive experience in grievance and labour board litigation, injunctive proceedings, responding to union organizing and applications for certification, collective bargaining and grievance arbitration. Lorenzo also advises his management clients on acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings, enforceability of restrictive covenants and the application of various labour and employment statutes. 

Lorenzo writes and speaks extensively. He is the originator of the Aird & Berlis Workplace Law webinar series which provides one hour webinars on current and topical labour and employment issues, and which offers practical advice and tips for employers in navigating the complex laws and rules of the workplace. He also has developed and presents management training seminars on a wide variety of topics, including human rights, union organizing defence strategies, strikes and lock outs, employment policies and procedures and risk management.

Lorenzo has served on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers as well as a member of the Government Affairs Committee of the Human Resources Professionals Association of Ontario.