This program, Ethical Concerns for Cannabis Attorneys, will cover conflicts with federal law, the interplay between MRPC 1.2, 1.4, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.13, 1.18, 2.1, 5.1, 5.5, and 8.4 and cannabis, state variation on ethical rules, criminal law considerations, ethical considerations with owning cannabis businesses, and securing licenses vs. enforcing rights of licenses.
The program will take a special look at how Maine’s Ethics Commission has addressed two main ethical concerns cannabis attorneys face: whether attorneys are permitted to advise clients on behavior dealing with marijuana and whether attorneys are permitted to provide services beyond giving legal advice to clients. Maine’s approach acts as a case study examining the development of the Ethics Commission’s approach to, and rules on practicing law in the cannabis industry.
BIO
Jeffrey S. Gard is a lawyer focusing on criminal defense, civil litigation and business matters. He has litigated hundreds of cases, many through trial, in both state and federal courts. Jeff also successfully litigated and argued cases before the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court.
Since 2015, Jeff has been voted by his peers as one of the top lawyers in Colorado as published in 5280 Magazine. Jeff is recognized as one of the Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers and one of the Ten Best Colorado Criminal Law Attorneys by American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys. Gard Law Firm has repeatedly been voted the Best Law Firm in Boulder, Colorado in both the Boulder Weekly and Colorado Daily newspapers.
Jeff is a hard-nosed litigator whose tenacity earns him the respect of his colleagues, judges and clients. Based on his reputation for meticulous preparation and well-honed trial skills, Jeff is often hired by fellow attorneys to help with cases where settlement has failed and the case must be taken to trial.
By way of background, Jeff is a Colorado native and a Cum Laude Philosophy graduate from the University of Colorado, where he also was elected Phi Beta Kappa, the country’s oldest honor society. While attending the law school, Jeff won the William De Souchet Award for best individual performance in trial advocacy and won a multi-state moot court competition during his first year of law school. After graduation, Jeff accepted a position with Sanderson & Associates (later Sanderson & Gard), a respected litigation firm in Boulder, Colorado. Jeff later formed his own firm and moved the office to downtown Boulder.
Among other things, Jeff is a nationally recognized lawyer and lecturer on the subject of litigating carbon monoxide induced brain injury cases. In recognition for his efforts to help victims of carbon monoxide poisoning, Jeff was asked to join forces with prominent carbon monoxide researcher, professor and author, Dr. David Penney, and respected neuropsychologist, Dr. Dennis Helffenstein, to teach lawyers and medical professionals how to help carbon monoxide injured victims navigate the legal system.
Jeff’s vast experience allows him to teach other attorneys across the country and has also given lectures at his alma mater, the University of Colorado School of Law. Jeff is an adviser to local, state and federal government to develop legal policy and to enact various statutes and regulations.
Jeff served two terms as the chair of the Civil Litigation Section of the Boulder County Bar Association, where he received special recognition for conscientious performance. Jeff is a member of the Faculty of Federal Advocates, a small group of lawyers and judges working to improve the federal court system.
Finally, Jeff is one of only a handful of attorneys in the state of Colorado to become a Life Member of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar. The Colorado Criminal Defense Bar is dedicated to protecting the rights of people accused of crimes.
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