CO MMJ Lawyers

[RMCG]

I asked in a thread here, but it got sort of buried in it, so I thought I would start its own thread.

I suppose I could go through the ads in Westword/CL that are offering up legal services for the MMJ community, but would rather get 'reviews' of counsel here, from the end users.

Didn't have to deal with them other than a retainer and initial consult? Or did they have to go to bat for you? Some lawyers talk a good game, but suck when it comes down to brass tacks.

Any recommendations on CO MMJ lawyers? Any to stay away from?

Not looking for the guy that deals specifically with MMC's, but one that knows the laws, keeps abreast on all of the changes, can offer some guidance and is actually ~worth~ keeping on retainer for a caregiver.

I am specifically looking in Denver metro, but it might help others if you have someone you like elsewhere in the state.

 

[DANKSY]

make sure they have trial experience. ask them straight up.

 

[RMCG]

Found this list. A bit dated, but ...

http://www.420magazine.com/forums/c...ate-marijuana-lawyer-listings.html#post674521



Lawyers in the state of Colorado that will help with Marijuana related issues.

David Angle
1881 9th Street
Suite 315
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303-443-2200
Fax: 303-443-2229
[email protected]


Jon N. Banashek
1712 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303-402-1600
Fax: 303-402-1601
[email protected]


Clifton L. Black
128 S. Tejon St
Suite 410
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-550-4529


Phil A. Cherner
789 Sherman #660
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-860-7686
Fax: 303-830-1392
[email protected]


Robert J. Corry, Jr
600 17th St
Suite 2800, South Tower
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-634-2244
Fax: 303-260-6401
[email protected]


Warren Edson
1490 Lafayette St.
Suite 407
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: 303-831-8188
Fax: 303-831-2779
[email protected]


Barry Russell Fink
1490 Lafayette
Suite 407
Denver, CO 80205
Phone: 303-832-2770
[email protected]


Leonard I. Frieling
1942 Broadway
Suite 314
Boulder, CO 80302-5233
Phone: 303-666-4064
Fax: 303-666-0956
[email protected]


William Furse
1199 Main Ave.
Durango, CO 81301
Phone: 970-247-9284
[email protected]


Kristopher Hammond
6 Missouri Avenue
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
Phone: 970-879-6060
[email protected]


James S. Kahn
PO Box 1396
Telluride, CO 81435
Phone: 970-728-1396
[email protected]


J.B. Katz
PO Box 5200
Breckenridge, CO 80424
Phone: 970-453-5533
Fax: 970-453-6611
[email protected]


Keira Lally
26 Marron Drive
Aspen, CO 81611
Phone: 310-854-8750
Fax: 970-925-6035
[email protected]


Lauren Wolpin Maytin
PO Box 3098
Aspen, CO 81612
Phone: 970-948-7183
Fax: 970-925-9382
[email protected]


Sean McAllister
Breckenridge, CO 80424
Phone: 970-393-3164
Fax: 970-453-6877
[email protected]


Jeralyn E. Merritt
950 17th Street
Suite 1800
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-837-1837
Fax: 303-832-6801
[email protected]


Marc Milavitz
1733 Canyon Blvd.
Boulder, CO 80302
Phone: 303-442-2166
[email protected]


Mark P. Miller, Esq
2700 West Evans Ave.
Suite 100
Denver, CO 80219
Phone: 303-922-5900
[email protected]


John Van Ness
PO Box 4419
Aspen, CO 81612
Phone: 970-923-2500
Fax: 970-923-5929
[email protected]


Jason T. Savela
1143 Portland Place
Suite One
Boulder, CO 80304
Phone: 720-406-6969
Fax: 303-449-6776
[email protected]


T. Marshal Seufert
110 16th Street #1300
Boulder, CO 80202
Phone: 303-620-4999
Fax: 303-620-4905
[email protected]


Brian K. Schowalter
101 West 9th Street
Durango, CO 81301
Phone: 970-259-9759
Fax: 970-247-5284
[email protected]


Jeri D. Shepherd
822 7th Street #250
Greeley, CO 80631
Phone: 970-353-8224
Fax: 970-352-8293
[email protected]


Richard Tegtmeier
104 S. Cascade Ave.
Ste. 200
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: 719-473-5757
Fax: 719-473-6767
[email protected]


Lisa Wayne
950 17 Street
Suite 1800
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-860-1661
Fax: 303-860-1665
[email protected]


Jeff Wertz
215 South Monarch, Suite 303
Aspen, CO 81611
Phone: 970-925-5185
Fax: 970-925-9398
[email protected]


Brian Vicente
Vicente Consulting, LLC
1177 Grant St.
(p) 303-860-4501
[email protected]

 

[SSHZ]

It seems everyone is jumping on the bandwagon there.......... I don't have specific info on lawyers in that state but I do have a lot of experience with lawyers on the east coast. Expect to pay and arm and 2 legs so you better have mucho $$$$$$$ saved up if you are going to grow. My last "incident" cost me $35K, the wife was $30K and a $10K payment under the table to "get out of jail" very early! Be prepared for "sticker shock"!!!! My best suggestion is look for a lawyer that worked in the prosecutors office once or helped write the law in place.

 

[RMCG]

Just looking for some guidance, initial consultation and putting someone in place, on retainer, PRIOR to any 'incidents'.

I've had non-MJ related legal fees and understand the costs associated with get out of jail 'free' cards.

Most retainers are far cheaper IF it is before the 'incident', and it would be nice to be able to pull a card out if needed and have your counsels # printed anywhere/everywhere applicable.

When you are in handcuffs, it really isn't the time to start looking for legal help.

 

[SoCoMMJ]

In Co Springs, it's Clifton Black for criminal defense issues and Charles Houghton for the Zoning, Leasing, and Licensing side of things.

 

[Green Mopho]

Jeff Gard in Boulder is our guy. He hasn't asked for a hefty retainer, and he's more than willing to answer questions. He also speaks to Matt Cook on the phone regularly.

 

[Snafu]

just wondering why a guy with the last name of fink got into law doggin just makes me think of that old term rat fink

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rat+fink

 

[RMCG]

Hahaha! Yeah, wonder how his family got that name to begin with!

Miller, Brewer and Potter are pretty obvious, but Fink? You wouldn't think the name would live on if that were truly the case.

 

[Mr.Sputnik]

I know jerry merrit and lauren wolpin maytin are really good people. I've personally spent some quality time discussing MMJ with both of them. I've seen them speak at more than one NORML seminar. They won't steer you wrong or try and make your case "one for the books" like corry did to one of my friends. They give sound legal advice (apparently unlike myself) and will properly represent you if need be.

And they're both in denver AND were in denver years before this whole thing went balistic.

 

[J-fly]

Stay far away from Warren Edson. He has screwed many of my friends.

I would stay away from all these so called mmj lawyers. They are all in it for the $$ and the fame. Read 1284 yourself, and interpret yourself. Remember, MMJ is still FEDERALLY ILLEGAL. Look at Chris Barkowitz for an example. Any good lawyer would tell you to stay away from mmj as a buisness because it will take 10-20 years to have the federal laws changed.

My advice is to stay under 100 plants, and avoid warehouses and large commercial grows. The money is not worth the time in jail. Stay small, focus on yourself, and helping individual patients. Your mmj lawyer will not be able to save you from federal jail time. Life in jail is not worth growing some erb.

 

[RMCG]

Thanks Sputnik and GM!


J-Fly - I thought Edson was ok? This is the feedback that is helpful.

But I do understand the game. Coming from the East Coast, where there is ZERO medical defense and SOG/cashcrop ops were the norm and where you were constantly looking over your shoulder for local, state AND feds, I am trying to play by whatever rules/protections the STATE has to offer.

I am not looking to break STATE laws, as that is what got Chris in trouble (among other things), nor am I looking to 'interpret' 1284 as I see fit. If that were the case, I would head back to a non-med state and roll the dice.

I was always told, pay someone for what they are good at and get paid for what YOU are good at. I am not a lawyer, nor do I pretend to be one.

Ever hear "A man who represents himself in court has a fool for a lawyer"?

I am not looking for a bulletproof defense, as I realize that isn't possible, but I do want something defensible and a solid number to call if the shit goes down.

 

[J-fly]

Thanks Sputnik and GM!


J-Fly - I thought Edson was ok? This is the feedback that is helpful.

But I do understand the game. Coming from the East Coast, where there is ZERO medical defense and SOG/cashcrop ops were the norm and where you were constantly looking over your shoulder for local, state AND feds, I am trying to play by whatever rules/protections the STATE has to offer.

I am not looking to break STATE laws, as that is what got Chris in trouble (among other things), nor am I looking to 'interpret' 1284 as I see fit. If that were the case, I would head back to a non-med state and roll the dice.

I was always told, pay someone for what they are good at and get paid for what YOU are good at. I am not a lawyer, nor do I pretend to be one.

Ever hear "A man who represents himself in court has a fool for a lawyer"?

I am not looking for a bulletproof defense, as I realize that isn't possible, but I do want something defensible and a solid number to call if the shit goes down.

A fool is someone who grows 100 plants and thinks there high dollar lawyer can save them.

"a man who represents himself in court has a fool for a lawyer"

I dont plan on going to court.

MMJ lawyers mislead people into feeling safe. Lawyers want you to go to court, thats how they make more money.

A fool is someone who pays a lawyer before they even go to court. Its almost like you know your breaking the law, and just waiting to go to court.

If i go to court, then I will find a lawyer.


Its really not that difficult. Dont really see why you need a lawyer.

Just stay small, take care of your individual patients, and stay away from dispensaries.

If you want to grow 100's of plants and make thousands of $$$$, waste your money on a lawyer. They wont be able to save you, neither will the state. The state cant protect you from the feds at all, even if you have one plant. Federal law trumps state. I am giving you better advice for free than you will get from any high priced lawyer. But if giving them your $$$ makes you sleep better at night, than my advice is do it.

 

[SSHZ]

I strongly disagree with the above comment- he's clueless. The smartest thing you can do is talk to a good pot lawyer for some advice- well worth every penny. He may scare you off growing, maybe not but you'll go in "eyes wide open" and that's important to know what you may face someday........

 

[RMCG]

I don't ~plan~ on going to court either.

Go read up on Krunchbubble's issue on IC. He didn't ~plan~ on a tail light being out either.

I am not dealing with dispensaries.

I am not going to grow 100's of plants, but weight will be there.

I do want a lawyer to direct landlords, local LEO(if necessary), patients to, look over paperwork, leases, etc.

Not going to make me sleep any better or worse, but randomly dialing lawyers while sitting in jail isn't something I like doing either.

Paying a couple hundred dollars retainer to have someone answer the phone when you need it or to ~have~ a number to call IF you have to utter the words 'I want my lawyer' does make me feel better. To each his own I guess.

 

[J-fly]

I don't ~plan~ on going to court either.

Go read up on Krunchbubble's issue on IC. He didn't ~plan~ on a tail light being out either.

I am not dealing with dispensaries.

I am not going to grow 100's of plants, but weight will be there.

I do want a lawyer to direct landlords, local LEO(if necessary), patients to, look over paperwork, leases, etc.

Not going to make me sleep any better or worse, but randomly dialing lawyers while sitting in jail isn't something I like doing either.

Paying a couple hundred dollars retainer to have someone answer the phone when you need it or to ~have~ a number to call IF you have to utter the words 'I want my lawyer' does make me feel better. To each his own I guess.

Makes sense to me. I would try Greenmopho's lawyer then. Green says good things about him. I didnt realize you could get a retainer for a couple hundred. Most people i know spent thousands on a retainer.

I think ill be my own lawyer for now.

 

[RMCG]

The lawyers that were suggested to Krunch were $420 retainer BEFORE something happened, 20k AFTER something happened.

A few hundred even for a convo and a card seems worth it to me.

 

[J-fly]

The lawyers that were suggested to Krunch were $420 retainer BEFORE something happened, 20k AFTER something happened.

A few hundred even for a convo and a card seems worth it to me.

Seems like a fucking rip off too me. Convo and a card should be free. Only good lawyer is a dead one!

 

[J-fly]

I strongly disagree with the above comment- he's clueless. The smartest thing you can do is talk to a good pot lawyer for some advice- well worth every penny. He may scare you off growing, maybe not but you'll go in "eyes wide open" and that's important to know what you may face someday........

You are clueless. The smartest thing you can do is not grow or sell mmj. Thats all im trying to say. You can go talk to your lawyer, "eyes wide open", but they will never be able to save you from the feds. Stay small.
Ive talked to a couple mmj lawyers , and have friends who have been totally screwed by Mr Warren Edson.

Anything over 100 plants is a mandatory 5 years minumum, FEDERAL TIME. Dont need a lawyer to tell me what i face.

Talking to a lawyer, or giving them money beforehand, doesnt make you safe. Dont let a lawyer interpret the law for you and tell you how to run your business. Colorado MMJ lawyers are seriously misleading a lot of people, ecspescially caregivers. People need to read and understand for themselves. Its not rocket science.

Also, Lawyers helped write 1284. Lawyers do not want small caregivers, or legalization. The more money you give to lawyers, the more bills they will make for them to interpret. Its a cycle. Dont feed the beasts. Just like dont feed the greedy dispensaries.

Lawyers are taking money from people who are too stupid or lazy to read 1284 for themselves. Or they represent people who are knowingly breaking and bending the laws for $$$$. MHO

 

[JeromeGarcia]

IMO - the best MMJ lawyer - if you want to fight, and fight hard, would be Lauren Davis. She is a ex DA (assisant DA?) from NYC. In the trade, we all call her the carpet bomber because when she unleashes she has a take-no-prisoners - lay waste to the oppressor attitude.

The best 'middle' of the road, effective lawyer IMO would be Brian Vincete.

I also like Clifton Black because he is actively involved in mmj advocacy and consequently very aware of a lot of nuisances involved in mmj.