Dean Rocco

Dean serves as the chair of the firm’s national Cannabis Law Practice. Dean works with clients inside and outside the cannabis industry to navigate the complex and quickly evolving framework of adult-use and medical marijuana laws impacting their businesses.

In the cannabis industry, Dean assists with cannabis business formations and corporate governance, supports licensing applications and modifications, advises on commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and fundraising, develops sound SOPs and personnel policies, and guides regulatory compliance in the growth, transportation, processing, production, and distribution of cannabis products. Dean also supports ancillary businesses, financial institutions, and insurance companies working with cannabis companies by guiding regulatory compliance, risk management principles, underwriting practices, and policy forms.

For employers of all types, Dean provides guidance on legalization’s impact on employment law issues such as job applications, drug testing, accommodating employees’ use of cannabis for medical purposes, and cannabis as a cause or treatment for workplace injuries.

Child Care Resource Center, Board Member, 2018‒present

International Cannabis Bar Association, Member, 2018‒present

National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), Member, 2017‒present; Human Resources Committee, Member

California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA), Member 2017‒present; Former Chair and Member, Risk Management and Human Resources Committees

Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), EPL Committee Chair, 2016, Member Cyber, Management & Professional Liability Committee, 2018‒present

National Human Resources Association ‒ Los Angeles, Board Member, 2011–present

Society for Human Resources Management, Member, 2014‒present

Pepperdine University School of Law Alumni Association, 2000–present

University of Michigan Alumni Association, 1997–present