SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California’s fastest-growing female-led cannabis law firm, Clark Neubert LLP, today announced its name change to Clark Howell LLP and the addition of Mergers & Acquisitions and Commercial Real Estate to its practice areas.
In practice since 2006, founding partners Ariel Clark and Nicole Howell (formerly Neubert) are among the first women in California to start their own firm devoted exclusively to cannabis business and regulatory law. Clark Howell represents clients in projects across California and has offices in Santa Monica, San Francisco, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, and Mt. Shasta.
During California’s transition from medical to adult-use markets, Clark and Howell emerged as vocal and visible advocates for fair local regulations and statewide banking solutions, with Clark co-founding the Los Angeles Cannabis Task Force and Howell serving on then-Treasurer John Chiang’s Cannabis Banking Working Group. In 2018, the firm was among the nation’s top five cannabis firm recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine.
Over the past 18 months, Clark Howell LLP has expanded its practice areas to include M&A and corporate real estate capabilities, adding to its longstanding B2B Supply Chain, Licensing & Regulatory, and Hemp & CBD practices.
“We understand California’s cannabis market because we’ve been present, as lawyers and activists, at every step of its development,” said Clark. “We’ve seen and guided clients through it all.”
“From bet-the-company deals, to navigating regulatory surprises, to launching brand-new products, we have one objective: Crafting and closing the right deal for our clients’ goals,” said Howell.
Clark Howell LLP’s statewide practice includes the expertise and talent of attorneys Joanna Hossack, Nicole Laggner, Jay Purcell, Heather Kirlin, Taylor Margot, Daniel Dersham, and Elizabeth Barket Kresmer supported by Operations Manager Molly Ryan. Learn more about the team here.
For more information, please visit www.clarkhowell.com.
Ariel Clark
Ariel Clark is one of California’s best and most dedicated cannabis business attorneys. For over a decade, Ariel has been in the trenches of cannabis law and policy in order to effectively advise legacy operators and entrepreneurs. When the idea of cannabis business law was considered an oxymoron, she committed her practice exclusively to the industry -- foresight that was recognized by Rolling Stone, which named her one of 18 “Women Shaping The Culture of Tomorrow.” Ariel’s hard-work, intelligence, and tenacity have earned her a national reputation as one of the industry’s fiercest lawyers. She has been recognized as one of the top 75 “Most Important Women in Cannabis” by Cannabis Business Executive, as one of the “30 Most Powerful Cannabis Lawyers” by MG Magazine. Ariel is an active member of associations including the International Cannabis Bar Association, the California Native American Cannabis Association, the California and National Cannabis Industry Associations, and the Executive Committee of the Cannabis Law Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (VC). Read her full bio here.
Nicole Howell
Nicole Howell is one of California’s most respected and effective cannabis business and regulatory attorneys. Her role as lead regulatory counsel in successfully closing one of 2019’s largest and highest profile Canadian public company acquisitions of a beloved California enterprise demonstrates her skill in navigating bet-the-deal matters of first impression. Nicole has been recognized as one of the top 75 “Most Important Women in Cannabis” by Cannabis Business Executive, of the “30 Most Powerful Cannabis Lawyers” by MG Magazine, annually ranked by Super Lawyers magazine since 2012, and recognized for several years running as an “Attorney to Watch” by Chambers and Partners USA. Nicole has served as a member of State Treasurer John Chiang’s Cannabis Banking Working Group, as Chief Policy Advisor to the California Growers Association, on the Board of California NORML, and currently is involved in the National and California Cannabis Industry Associations, International Cannabis Bar Association, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, and Executive Committee of the Cannabis Section for the San Francisco Bar Association. Read her full bio here.
