The cannabis industry is complex and dynamic, as are the ethical considerations surrounding representation, starting with the legal issues and ethics of representing cannabis clients. This CLE course will present a variety of legal scenarios that often arise as well as the current status of the federal and state stance on marijuana and the prospect for reform.

The course will address the strategies currently being employed to mitigate risk and how the courts have attempted to reconcile the rights of claimants and litigants on a federal and state level. Interpretations of Model Rule 1.2 across the country and the distinction between providing counsel and active assistance to cannabis clients will be presented as will relevant state ethics opinions, modification to states’ ethical rules that limit disciplinary action around work in the industry and specific issues that are critical to cannabis attorneys including:

• disclosure of professional liability insurance
• the crime fraud exception
• attorney client privilege
• client trust accounts
• stock equity in lieu of fees
• required disclosure
• and much more.