Rooted in Community: Fox Rothschild

At the core of NCIA is a dynamic network of business owners, advocates, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs all working towards a shared mission – cultivating a fair, inclusive, and thriving cannabis industry.  Our “Rooted in Community” series highlights the members who strengthen and shape that vision every day. This month, we’re proud to spotlight Evergreen Member Fox Rothschild, a premier legal leader in the cannabis community, uniting more than 1,000 attorneys from coast to coast. The firm delivers the expansive reach and robust resources of a national practice while maintaining the personalized service and deep relationships typically found in a boutique firm.

NCIA: What problem does Fox Rothschild help solve in the market?

Fox Rothschild: The cannabis industry operates amid a web of complex, and often conflicting, state and federal laws that are difficult for businesses to navigate. That is where we come in. Our firm regularly advises cannabis operators, investors, and businesses on the full spectrum of legal issues – from licensing and regulatory compliance to corporate transactions, real estate taxes and employment matters. By combining deep industry knowledge with practical legal strategy, we help clients minimize risk, stay ahead of regulatory shifts and seize new opportunities in a rapidly evolving market.

NCIA:  How is Fox Rothschild different from competitors in this space?

FR:  Ranked by Chambers USA as a Band 1 law firm for Cannabis Law, our attorneys advise cannabis clients across the country on how to navigate a complex web of state and federal laws involving corporate formation, financing, banking, compliance, intellectual property, tax, employment and real estate. But what really sets us apart is our approach: we invest the time to get to know our clients and understand their needs so we can better develop creative strategies that drive results. Bottomline, we find ways to help cannabis businesses navigate this fast-changing, highly regulated industry with confidence.

NCIA: Why did you join the movement with NCIA?

FR: We joined the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) almost a decade ago because we wanted to be at the center of the conversations shaping the industry’s future. Many of our clients and the companies we care about are active members in the NCIA and value the association’s role in advancing thoughtful policy, responsible growth and collaboration across the cannabis sector. By actively engaging with NCIA, our team gains valuable insights into the evolving regulatory and business landscape, allowing us to better anticipate challenges, identify opportunities and provide informed, strategic counsel. Being part of this community keeps us connected to real-world issues impacting operators and investors. It also reinforces our shared commitment to supporting a sustainable and equitable cannabis industry.

NCIA: Why is membership important to you?

FR: Our NCIA membership is invaluable. It allows us to stay connected to the people and issues driving this rapidly evolving industry. NCIA provides a unique forum where industry leaders, advocates and professionals can exchange ideas and address shared challenges. Through NCIA’s resources, network and events, we learn how to better support our clients and contribute to a more transparent, responsible and sustainable cannabis marketplace.

NCIA: Tell us about a relationship your membership has helped build?

FR: Fox Rothschild was proud to represent the NCIA pro-bono in December 2024 at a landmark hearing on the DEA’s proposal to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug. Our liaison, Michelle Rutter Friberg, NCIA’s Director of Government Relations, was our boots-on-the-ground resource during the (now adjourned) hearing. Her knowledge and track record proved invaluable for us, and we continue to appreciate her insights.

NCIA: How has Fox Rothschild evolved since it started?

FR: We were among the first national law firms to launch a dedicated Cannabis Law Practice, positioning our team as trailblazers in this rapidly evolving industry. Over time, the practice has grown to include other leading attorneys in the Cannabis Law space, including some who are now at the forefront of efforts to reschedule cannabis. Fox attorneys now serve clients in every jurisdiction that has legalized medical or recreational cannabis, including California, New York and Pennsylvania. Our evolution mirrors the growth of the industry – innovative, strategic, and results driven.

Longstanding members like Fox Rothschild are the heart of NCIA’s community.  A community grounded in the belief that the cannabis industry will become a robust and essential part of the national economy.  We envision an industry that is fairly taxed, responsibly regulated, and readily accessible to the patients who rely on it most.  Thank you, Fox Rothschild, for being truly Rooted in the Community!

Together with our members, NCIA is building a stronger cannabis industry – rooted in community and driven by shared purpose. Join the community, join NCIA.