Risky Business: Managing Risk Within a Cannabis Company

Pamela Nicole Epstein Related Seminars and Products

Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer

Terpene Belt, Inc.

Pamela has made a name for herself as one of the cannabis industry’s most respected, prominent, innovative female leaders and featured industry speaker. She serves as the General Counsel, Chief Regulatory & Licensing Officer for Terpene Belt, Inc.

Epstein has used her extensive background in environmental law with an emphasis on regulatory compliance to help implement Eden’s novel “Compassion Over Destruction” initiative. In Epstein’s previous role with Green Wise she was known as a fearless advocate for cannabis businesses of all sizes across the supply chain.  She successfully guided them through the ever-changing legal and regulatory landscape.  Her passion and sense of duty to the community is unparalleled. Epstein also served as the Special City Attorney for cannabis regulation for the City of Hollister and is currently the Co-Chair of CCIA's Special Events & Social Consumption Committee, where she is working to update cannabis events regulations.

Michael F. Hennessey Related Seminars and Products

Vice President & National Cannabis Practice Leader

IMA Financial Group, Inc.

Michael F. Hennessey is Vice President & National Cannabis Practice Leader at IMA Financial Group, Inc. Based in California, Mr. Hennessey leads business development and client service efforts across the United States.

Previously, Mr. Hennessey was Assistant Vice President of Client Services for The ABD Team serving the Cannabis space in addition to technology, real estate, and life sciences sectors.

Lauren Linder Related Seminars and Products

Vice President | Assistant General Counsel

Curaleaf, Inc.

Lauren Linder is Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of Curaleaf, Inc. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, she graduated from Pace Academy before receiving her bachelor’s degree from Brown University. She attended Duke University where she received her Juris Doctor before returning home to Atlanta. Lauren joined Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton in 2007 as an associate and Turner Broadcasting as counsel in 2011. While at The Weather Channel (2015-2019), she held the leadership positions of Director, Business and Legal Affairs, and then of Vice President, Associate General Counsel, where she advised the company on all aspects of the business including transactional, compliance, regulatory, and litigation matters. Lauren left The Weather Chanel in August 2019 to join Parallel. In her role as Deputy General Counsel, she has led compliance and regulatory initiatives in both our Florida and Massachusetts markets, as well as provided legal guidance at the corporate level. In her impressive young career, she has also been named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 list in 2018, as well as Daily Report’s On the Rise list in 2019. Lauren was named to Savoy magazine’s 2018 Top Black Lawyers list. A former debater, Lauren is a frequent speaker and panelist on a range of issues relating to corporate law and cannabis.

Dean Rocco Related Seminars and Products

Partner - Chair of Cannabis and Employment Practice Group

Wilson Elser LLP

Dean Rocco is a pragmatic, results-oriented attorney who leverages the firm’s geographic reach and strength across multiple disciplines to the benefit of clients. He takes great pride in building longstanding partnerships with clients through responsive communication and consistent, positive results in keeping with clients’ business philosophies and litigation objectives.

Dean is the Western Region Chair of the firm’s national Employment & Labor practice. In that capacity, he maintains a significant practice representing employers and management in a wide range of employment litigation. He lends his knowledge and perspective to building effective personnel programs and policies, counseling employers and managing risk during difficult employee issues, and training employers on legal compliance and best practices.

Dean also serves as co-chair of the firm’s national Cannabis Law practice. Dean works with clients inside and outside the cannabis industry to navigate the complex and quickly evolving framework of recreational and medical marijuana laws impacting their businesses.

As a distinguished attorney and recognized authority in his field, Dean has been ranked in Chambers USA, recognized by publications and asked to serve in leadership positions of boards and committees of several organizations. He is asked routinely by media outlets, business organizations and professional associations to share his perspectives on evolving legal issues