Arthur Yermash, Partner and Chair of CMM’s Cannabis Law Group, was interviewed for the launch of the firm’s practice area in Law360’s “Campolo Middleton Launches Cannabis Practice in New York.”
By Sarah Jarvis, Law360
New York law firm Campolo Middleton & McCormick LLP has announced the launch of a cannabis practice group, in the wake of Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing into law a legalization and taxation bill earlier this year.
Campolo Middleton partner Arthur Yermash, who will head up the new practice, told Law360 it was launched officially in June, though the firm had already been advising clients on cannabis-related issues for months. The group will provide guidance for cannabis businesses, entrepreneurs and service providers using the firm’s experience in various areas, including corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and labor and employment, the firm said in its announcement.
Yermash said the goal for the group is to serve the community, which he said is already showing an interest in getting into the industry. He hopes to position the practice group as a one-stop shop for anyone looking to get into the business, covering corporate issues and regulatory services.
“There are still a lot of unknowns, and we hope to be able to grow with this industry and the folks that want to be in the cannabis space,” he said, whether that’s in retail, farming or other areas.
Yermash said the team consists of four to five people, and will look to expand in the future. He said he expects cannabis to be a “tremendous industry” in New York, noting that even in its infancy, there has been an interest in shifting toward cannabis by farmers and retailers. He anticipates that interest growing exponentially over time.
Yermash said the group is focusing on regulatory and compliance issues as the industry is developing, including helping clients understand their responsibilities and navigate barriers to entering the industry.
Campolo Middleton, which has offices across Long Island, said in its announcement that its legal team is prepared to counsel clients on entity formation, regulatory compliance, licensing, commercial leasing, zoning and real estate matters. Yermash, who has spent years advising on retail, wholesale and pharmaceutical issues, said in the firm’s announcement that the team was able to hit the ground running once New York’s legalization legislation was passed.
Learn more about our Cannabis Law practice group here.