Cannabis Regulatory & Transactions Attorney

📍 Flexible / Remote (Strategic U.S. Markets)

⚖️ Law Firm | Cannabis, Regulatory, M&A, Public Policy

💼 Attorney

Pay: $165-200k base,

• Bonus Structure:
• 15% of responsible revenue (with ~1,000 billable hours benchmark)
• Origination credit on cross-practice work
• Discretionary performance bonuses
• 5% Profit Sharing Contribution to 401(k)
• Significant autonomy and flexibility

Vangst is partnering with one of the most established and respected cannabis law practices in the Midwest to identify an experienced Cannabis Attorney with a portable book of business.

This nationally recognized firm has built one of the largest dedicated cannabis legal teams in its home state and is now expanding strategically into key markets across the U.S. Their cannabis practice spans regulatory, licensing, litigation, corporate transactions, public policy, and multi-state operator (MSO) advisory work.

The firm is entrepreneurial, highly collaborative, and values reputation above all else. Culture fit is critical — they are known for operating with integrity, professionalism, and a long-term “white hat” approach to cannabis law.

The Opportunity

This is a growth-driven role for a self-sustaining attorney who:

• Brings an existing cannabis client base ($250K–$500K+ portable book preferred)
• Has deep regulatory and licensing experience within a specific state market
• Understands the evolving intersection of federal, state, and local cannabis laws
• Is entrepreneurial and comfortable operating with autonomy
• Wants the backing of a larger platform while maintaining client control

The firm is particularly interested in attorneys with expertise in:

• Illinois
• Missouri
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• Arizona
• Texas (hemp beverage regulatory focus)
• Virginia (public policy / statehouse regulatory strategy)

Practice Focus Areas

The cannabis group handles a broad range of sophisticated legal matters, including:

• State cannabis and hemp license procurement
• Regulatory compliance and enforcement defense
• Mergers & acquisitions and multi-state transactions
• Corporate formation and governance
• Securities compliance
• Banking and financial regulatory matters
• Real estate, land use, and zoning
• Intellectual property and trademark protection
• Advertising, packaging, and labeling compliance
• Public policy and government relations
• Civil litigation and business disputes

The team works closely with regulators and policymakers and is deeply embedded in the cannabis ecosystem.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 6+ years practicing law (cannabis regulatory experience strongly preferred)
• Active portable book of business ($250K–$500K+ annually preferred)
• Experience advising cultivators, processors, dispensaries, testing labs, MSOs, or hemp operators
• Strong understanding of state-specific cannabis frameworks
• Entrepreneurial mindset with desire for platform growth
• High integrity and strong professional reputation
• Ability to generate cross-practice referrals

Candidates may join individually or as a small team (e.g., partner + associate + paralegal).

Compensation & Structure

• Base Salary: $165,000 – $200,000 (non-equity partner level, DOE)
• Bonus Structure:
• 15% of responsible revenue (with ~1,000 billable hours benchmark)
• Origination credit on cross-practice work
• Discretionary performance bonuses
• 5% Profit Sharing Contribution to 401(k)
• Significant autonomy and flexibility

This firm does not operate under heavy bureaucratic structure — attorneys are trusted to manage their practice and clients independently.

Why This Role Is Compelling

• Join one of the largest dedicated cannabis law groups in its region
• Expand into high-growth, strategic cannabis markets
• Maintain your clients while leveraging a larger platform
• Competitive billing rates compared to AmLaw competitors
• Collaborative culture with strong internal referral network

This is an opportunity for a serious cannabis practitioner who wants scale, credibility, and long-term growth — without sacrificing autonomy.

About Vangst

Vangst is the cannabis industry’s leading hiring platform. We help cannabis companies and ancillary service providers find the talent they need to grow — from on-demand gig workers to executive leadership.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Denver, CO, Vangst works with 1,200+ of the industry’s top cannabis businesses and supports a talent community of over 300,000 professionals nationwide. Our mission is to fill every job in the cannabis industry.

Vangst is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.