Manzuri Law

As a summer associate at Pier 5 Law Offices in the early 2000s, one of Meital Manzuri's first cases was the federal trial of Ed Rosenthal, a cannabis grower and legalization pioneer. He was deputized by the city of Oakland to grow marijuana for medical use, which California legalized in 1996, but federal law still prohibits.

"State versus federal law was the main issue in that we could not present any kind of medical defense in federal court," Manzuri said. "He was convicted, but sentenced to just one day, because the judge knew it was for medical use. It was interesting as a young law student to be involved in that whole process. That's where the spark was lit."

That spark led Manzuri to focus on cannabis criminal defense and eventually launch her Los Angeles-based firm in 2010. Manzuri Law was among the first to specialize in cannabis law, cannabis-related criminal defense and counsel medical marijuana businesses.

But being first comes with particular challenges. The attorney recalled not being taken seriously in the early days.

"It wasn't even a legal practice area at the time; it didn't exist," she said. "I remember I spoke at the bar panel in Orange County and I was ridiculed by the lawyers in the room... there were lawyers that said what I did was unethical."

Yet as California moved toward legalization--recreational use of marijuana in 2016 and sales of cannabis through regulated businesses in 2018--Manzuri's experience meant she already knew all the players and policymakers and was familiar with the regulatory framework. The firm grew with the industry and expanded to include a host of practice areas, including retail cannabis business licensing and regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, early-stage financing, and corporate and transactional law.

A self-described "legal nerd," Manzuri said she spends at least two hours every day researching, reading the latest news and checking in with various agencies to keep up with the changing landscape of regulatory and compliance issues.

"The cannabis regulated environment is complex and consistently evolving," said Alexis M. Lazzeri, an associate attorney at the firm. "Our attorneys stay actively engaged in professional affiliated groups, attend and advise on educational panels, and maintain an active newsletter/blog. This education immersion exposes our attorneys to what is current and relevant in the field, so that we can best advise our clients."

The firm's depth of knowledge has helped clients successfully procure more than 200 state and local licenses. Of the 14 applicants granted temporary approval by L.A.'s Department of Cannabis Regulation, three are Manzuri Law clients. The firm has also worked on transactions for its clients, totaling more than $50 million in value.

Manzuri said many clients have been with the firm since the beginning. She has helped them pivot as laws and regulations continue to change.

"We're very service oriented," Manzuri said. "We very much want results, and want our clients to be happy. I think our clients feel that. They feel the authenticity. A lot of them have been taken advantage of by legal consultants, and that's a pain point, a trust issue. We are able to dispel that mistrust and really deliver on what we promise."

--Jennifer Chung Klam