A Legacy of Cannabis Legal Advocacy
Between 2010 and 2018, the cannabis industry transitioned from a loosely regulated medical collective model to a highly structured, multi-billion-dollar commercial market. During this volatile period, a dedicated group of attorneys at Harris Bricken established the Canna Law Group practice to provide direct legal representation to cultivators, processors, and retailers facing unprecedented regulatory hurdles.
These attorneys litigated against municipal bans, drafted the first corporate governance documents tailored for cannabis startups, and provided critical advocacy during the implementation of landmark legislation, including Washington's Initiative 502 and Oregon's Measure 91. Their practical experience in the trenches of cannabis law forms the bedrock of the educational resources published on this site today.
Hilary Bricken
Hilary Bricken was a foundational force in the Canna Law Group, regionally and nationally regarded as a leading authority on cannabis legal issues. Licensed in Washington, California, and Florida, she advocated for cannabis entrepreneurs across the country, helping business owners establish strong legal footing in a fast-changing industry.
Her work earned her recognition as one of only seven "Deal Makers of the Year" by the Puget Sound Business Journal and "Industry Attorney of the Year" by Dope Magazine. From her roots in Seattle's legalization movement to her extensive commentary in major media outlets like The New York Times and Reuters, Bricken's insights into federal prohibition, IRC 280E tax burdens, and state licensing gauntlets remain highly relevant to modern operators.
Robert McVay
Robert McVay played a critical role in helping clients plan, protect, and expand their cannabis businesses during the initial wave of recreational legalization. Licensed in Washington and New York, McVay assisted countless operators with company formation, state regulatory compliance, and intellectual property protection.
He was frequently interviewed by regional media, including KUOW Seattle and the Seattle Times, regarding the legal issues affecting Washington's marijuana industry. McVay's expertise in navigating the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) regulations, particularly concerning tied-house rules and investment restrictions, provided a blueprint for compliant corporate structuring in limited-license markets.
Vincent Sliwoski
Vincent Sliwoski was a leading practitioner in Oregon's fast-evolving cannabis industry. Licensed in Oregon, he advised clients on a wide variety of transactions and disputes, including complex intellectual property and real estate matters.
Sliwoski's deep understanding of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) framework and the transition from the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) to the recreational market helped operators secure commercial leases, negotiate purchase and sale agreements, and maintain strict regulatory compliance. His contributions to the Canna Law Blog provided operators with actionable guidance on navigating municipal zoning setbacks and local authorization requirements.
Transition to an Independent Editorial Board
The legal landscape governing cannabis has matured significantly since the early 2010s. Today, the industry demands scalable, accessible regulatory intelligence that operators can reference daily. To meet this need, Canna Law Group has transitioned from a traditional law firm practice group into an independent B2B legal education and regulatory compliance publisher.
The attorneys listed in this archive are no longer soliciting clients through this website, and Canna Law Group does not offer direct legal representation. Instead, our independent editorial board - composed of industry veterans and regulatory analysts - maintains and expands upon the legal frameworks established by these historical contributors.
We rigorously audit our compliance checklists, state licensing guides, and tax strategy matrices against primary government sources to ensure they reflect the current enforcement climate. By preserving the legacy of our foundational attorneys while adopting a strict editorial governance model, we continue to empower cannabis entrepreneurs with the deterministic business intelligence required to build resilient enterprises.