With a focus on complex regulatory frameworks, Mia advises clients on navigating the nuances of cannabis regulation, licensing, and operational issues. She represents operators in the medical and adult-use cannabis markets and in the hemp industry, supporting license acquisition, regulatory dispute resolution, zoning and municipal law, and mergers and acquisitions. As a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, Mia also provides counsel to nonprofit organizations on formation, governance, and compliance, supporting their mission-driven goals with practical legal strategies.

With extensive experience in contract management, Mia is skilled in drafting and negotiating complex agreements, identifying legal risks, and implementing effective compliance strategies.  Known for her collaborative approach and strategic thinking, Mia is dedicated to aligning her services with her clients’ objectives.

An active member of the community, Mia has been recognized on Crain’s Cleveland Business list of Twenty in their 20s and was selected to participate in Cleveland Foundation’s ‘Foundations for Philanthropy’ and Cleveland Leadership Center’s On Board programs.

Dean Richardson is a trial lawyer at Gould + Ratner in Denver, Colorado, with extensive litigation experience representing a variety of clients in cannabis, shareholder, commercial, trade secret, real estate, and franchise disputes. He is well versed in all phases of litigation, including negotiation, due diligence, pleadings, discovery, motions, mediation, arbitration, trial, and appeals. Prior to private practice, Dean interned at the appellate court level (Colorado Supreme Court) and clerked for two different trial courts (Colorado District Court; Maryland Circuit Court). He received his B.B.A. degree (Finance) from The George Washington University where he was a scholarship athlete on the Men's Swimming Team. He received his J.D. degree from the University of Denver College of Law where he graduated with the highest academic distinction, Order of Saint Ives. Mr. Richardson is licensed to practice law in Colorado, Maryland and the District of Columbia (as well as numerous federal jurisdictions throughout the country). He was selected as a Rising Star by Colorado Super Lawyer Magazine and 5280 Magazine four consecutive years (2012-2016), is rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell (their highest ranking), and was selected as a Colorado Super Lawyer (2020-2024). In 2018, Dean was named to The National Law Journal's inaugural list of 39 Cannabis Trailblazers, and in 2021 Dean was recognized by Chambers USA for Cannabis Law: Western United States (and again in 2022 and 2023). 

Specialties: Cannabis litigation, business litigation, real estate litigation, shareholder disputes and appeals.

After nearly 10 years advocating for marijuana reform, I watched history being made in 2012 as Colorado passed the landmark Amendment 64 to legalize adult-use marijuana.  2012 was a landmark year for another reason - it's the year I became licensed to practice law.

After honing my craft representing clients in Florida for a few years, I moved to Colorado to dedicate my career to working with entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, and anyone else connected to the cannabis industry to get sound legal counsel and education on how to operate successfully and continue pushing this industry forward.  In 2021, I obtained licensure in New Jersey as well, to bring our cannabis law experience and subject matter expertise to the Northeast.

?As a small business owner, I’m not immune to the frustrations and struggles you’re facing each and every day.  To operate my cannabis-focused law practice, I, too, have to jump through hoops and come up against red tape when it comes to marketing and operating. 

?As a result, I’ve learned that I cannot depend on search engines and ads; instead I strive to provide top-notch service to my clients, who in turn send referrals my way. I’m here to guide you through the process, educate you about your options, and help you achieve your goals.

?The cannabis industry is nuanced. There truly is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every business has a unique set of parameters affecting their situation, and deserves legal advice specific to its position.

?I love that every business I counsel moves this industry another step forward.

Amber M. Naiman, is an innovative and diligent problem-solving corporate transactional attorney, driving success through critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability, assisting companies of all sizes navigate through the entire business life cycle.

Amber’s practice focuses on advising established, emerging, and start-up companies in a wide range of general and complex corporate and business transactions, across a variety of industries, including food & beverage, retail, hospitality, e-commerce, technology, healthcare, agriculture, highly regulated, and emerging growth industries. Amber’s clients include multi-state and local restaurant groups, specialty shops, wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers, processors, investors, family offices, and e-commerce operators.

Amber represents corporate clients in matters involving corporate restructures, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, private equity financing, strategic business partnerships and collaborations, and regulatory compliance. Her transactional experience covers the full spectrum of business transaction activities, including entity governing documents for LLCs, corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, and shareholder groups; intellectual property agreements; advertising and public relations arrangements; manufacturing, supply, processing, and distribution contracts; and a wide range of compensation-related agreements.

For the greater part of her legal career, Amber’s been integrally involved in highly regulated and emerging growth industries, providing counsel to licensed operators, retailers, investors, landlords, start-ups, and ancillary service providers navigating the complexities of operating in a highly regulated sector, with regulatory regimes that impact every stage of business operations and transactions. Amber provides industry-specific regulatory compliance and complex multi-state compliance strategies, ranging from jurisdiction-specific legislative and regulatory issues to jurisdictional surveys including those specific to food & beverage, and other consumable goods.  Amber has ample experience analyzing risk, addressing new issues, answering complex legal questions, and crafting creative solutions involving unique circumstances in fast-paced, demanding, and ever-changing legal landscapes.