About
Each lawyer at Cultiva Law has followed a calling to step away from the long-established areas of business law to help lay the legal foundation of the cannabis industry.
We provided strategic legal counsel that contributed to the legalization of medical cannabis and protections for those who provide and use it. We were active participants in developing the policies and legal structures that created the thriving adult-use cannabis markets across the country. As advocates for the industry and culture of cannabis, we understand why our clients choose the bigger risks and less certain rewards of the cannabis industry. Because we were among the architects of cannabis law, we have the insights and professional depth to make the risks much more manageable and the rewards far more likely. Our clients, former and current, will attest to our comprehensive knowledge of cannabis law and our sincere commitment to their success and the success of this industry we are building together. All entrepreneurs launch businesses. Our clients are entrepreneurs determined to help launch an entirely new industry. We understand this well.
Who We Are
Cultiva Law is the Country’s premiere full-service cannabis business law firm, offering a multitalented team comprised of well-versed and versatile strategic legal counsel, uniquely talented in all aspects of transactional law, compliance, and litigation.
Our marijuana lawyers are experienced, connected, and influential in the cannabis industry. We not only produce unparalleled professional results for clients, but our strategic legal counsel also lead the way in helping develop new laws and policies applicable to marijuana businesses. We are well known in the legal community, connecting with influential industry leaders through a variety of professional associations and teaching Continuing Legal Education seminars educating other attorneys about the important nuances in practicing in this unique and burgeoning marijuana industry.
What We Do
Our extensive trial experience informs our transactional practice, helping you effectively weigh and manage risks, and drafting a wide variety of contracts and agreements that protect and empower your business, from entity formation through successful operation and growth. We are here to help you build a legacy.
Clients count on us to ensure they are fully informed and protected by an aggressive and thoughtful line of defense when making all marijuana business decisions. We have the depth of experience specifically in cannabis to properly guide you.
Our ability to integrate outstanding litigation strategies into insightful and resourceful business solutions – and to back it up with proven trial skills – can make all the difference when protecting your business in this competitive and rapidly evolving industry.
Where We Do It
Not too big, not too small; our firm is the perfect size, allowing our cannabis-centric lawyers to efficiently develop and execute complex business and legal solutions under rapidly evolving cannabis laws.
Our firm spans across through the legal markets with multiple attorneys that practice in States across the country. We embody integrity and reliability, and offer our full commitment to each individual client of every size and ambition. Our skillful set of attorneys are sophisticated, agile, and effective.
Contact us to find out how Cultiva Law’s team of tenacious strategic legal counsel can serve you.
Aaron Pelley
Founder
Aaron Pelley is a veritable celebrity in both his achievements as a lawyer, and advocate of cannabis business for over a decade. Having made sizable contributions to the foundation of legal protections surrounding medicinal cannabis law, his passion in this new realm of law drove him forward. This saw the creation of Cultiva and the subsequent creation of a boutique law firm that lies on the pulse of current cannabis law. Aaron is unafraid of change and willing to live on the tip of the spear his entire career. He’ll greet any challenge you present to him with open arms.
The Team
Aaron Pelley
Attorney
Aaron Pelley has played an active role in Cannabis Law for over a decade. He helped build the foundation for legal protections in medical cannabis law and is a leading advocate for the cannabis business. His passion for this new realm of practice led to the launch of Cultiva and the formation of a boutique law firm unsurpassed in cannabis law. In addition to representing cannabis clients…
Autumn Stensen
Chief Operations Officer
As the Operations Manager at Cultiva Law, Autumn prides herself on client service and also fostering a team-oriented work culture. She helps manage a diverse and community minded team that are highly organized and client focused. In addition, Autumn created and maintains organizational policies, practices, and procedures and each day brings her exceptional professional interpersonal…
Dylan McMerrick
IT Director
Dylan McMerrick is the Technology specialist for all of Cultiva law. His work keeps us all up, running, leading the way with innovative solutions and technology for all of our needs. A Pacific Northwest native, Dylan has lived in Portland his entire life. He has worked in customer service as well as working for one of the worlds largest internet providers. As our Technology specialist he has been instrumental in keeping…
Matthew Cleary
Managing Partner
Mat Cleary has been a cannabis attorney and executive since 2015, beginning his career in the brand new Washington cannabis industry. Mat carved a niche for himself specializing in license transfers, helping dozens of clients either apply for new licenses or manage the purchase and sale of existing licenses…
Shay Mayson
Administrative Coordinator
Ms. Mayson is a perfect representation of her upbringing, growing up between rural and urban, she is an innate “people person” who thrives in environments where she can interact with and help people, from all walks of life, daily. Shay’s path initially began with a multi-national coffee company where she expanded her base knowledge…
Thomas Butcher
Attorney
Thomas Butcher combines a strong passion for litigation and hard work to reach the best outcome for his clients on a daily basis. In his legal practice, Thomas’ focus is in the representation of clients, ranging from farmers, processors and retail owners, in disputes concerning administrative violation notices, while providing…
Karen Albence
Managing Partner
Karen Albence practices in the State of California for Cultiva Law and has cases and vast experience in numerous counties all over California. She also has litigated and is licensed to practice in Hawaii. Karen concentrates in litigation, and is experienced in all phases of civil and commercial litigation. However, she also has many years of experience in other litigation areas that relate to the unique area of cannabis law…
Kristin Westphal
Attorney
Kristin is a versatile litigator with a breadth and depth of legal experience that can only be gained by getting down in the trenches. Always up for a challenge, Kristin has practiced as far south as Alabama, and as far west as Hawaii. She has currently made California her home base. Having represented both plaintiffs and defendants in corporate, business, construction, intellectual property and trademark litigation…
Aaron John
Attorney
Aaron’s practice centers around zealously representing clients through the litigation and regulatory landscape all the way from inception through post-litigation and everywhere in between. Prior to joining Cultiva Law, PLLC, Mr. John’s practice focused on litigation and regulatory compliance including the areas of both first and third party insurance defense, real estate, creditor rights, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and…
Chris Girard
Strategic Development
Chris Girard aims to bring legitimacy to a once prohibited industry. Mr. Girard hails from the State of Washington, where he was a principle part of the legal support team for several years at the premier Cannabis law firm Pelley Law Group, which is now Cultiva Law, PLLC. During this time Chris was exposed to the unique observations and solution-seeking to every possible challenge that comes with newly legal, highly regulated industries and has worked on…
Elijah Hartman
Attorney
Elijah is dedicated to crafting meaningful and lasting legal solutions for his clients. Effective legal assistance requires an understanding of each client’s unique business and personal realities. As an attorney, Elijah understands the uniqueness of each client, and has provided a wide range of legal services to a wide range of clients for nearly a decade. His practice areas have included intellectual property innovation, trademark, copyright, and…
Tara Griner
Paralegal
Tara Griner is a seasoned litigation, transactional and securities paralegal, with a legal career spanning over a decade. Spending her early years working in a high-volume litigation defense firm, she learned quickly how to manage the legal landscape. She began her post-college career as an editor for a major comic book publishing house and since that time has worn many hats. Through her undergraduate education…