Deploying a multi-disciplinary team which includes specialists in real estate, corporate, and advertising law, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP has extensive insight in overseeing regulatory enforcement actions and cannabis banking regulations. The team frequently acts for major funds in the cannabis space, alongside managing venture capital raises and cross-border corporate governance proceedings. From Los Angeles, joint co-head Anita Famili is a regulatory compliance and media agreements specialist, while the other co-head, New York-based Axel Bernabe, is an expert in the cannabis industry. Thomas Poletti concentrates on private equity and debt offerings from Costa Mesa, while in Los Angeles, Thomas Michael predominantly focuses on strategic investments and regulatory compliance.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
- Social
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Axel Bernabe has valuable insight into cannabis policy and regulations - their intent and implementation, as well as potential changes.'
Key clients
- Blüm Holdings, Inc.
- Travis Scott/Cactus Farms
- Cookies
Work highlights
- Represents Blüm Holdings, Inc., a prominent California-based cannabis company that oversees top-tier dispensaries across the state and owns several leading brands.
- Advised Travis Scott with creating and launching a new cannabis brand through a newly formed subsidiary, Cactus Farms, in partnership with Connected Cannabis, a vertically integrated cannabis company.
- Representing Cookies, one of the most well-respected and top-selling cannabis brands in California and throughout the world, in its joint venture and development of a cannabis consumption lounge in West Hollywood.
Lawyers
Practice head
Anita Famili; Axel Bernabe
Other key lawyers
Thomas Poletti; Thomas Michael; Veronica Lah; Loni Gonzalez; Lucille White