Messner Reeves acknowledges our 2023 Colorado Summer Associates for completing a successful 10-week immersive clerkship program.
The firm is committed to increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our offices and the general legal community. To this end, Messner Reeves offers paid summer internships to first and second-year law students, some of which are of diverse racial, gender, and ethnic backgrounds. This summer associate opportunity provides a unique opportunity for up-and-coming law students to gain real-world experience in their practice area of interest. The firm’s summer clerkship program weaves in the Colorado Pledge to Diversity offerings that look to increase the number of diverse 1L clerkships in the Denver Metro area.
At the close of another successful summer program, Messner Reeves would like to celebrate Summer Associates Jack Cronin, Niall Griffin, Dominic Montoya, Rachel Heumann, Ben Asser, and Jacob Morgan for their work. They showed commitment and interest in the firm’s business law practice by diving wholeheartedly into various projects.
Before they head off to another year of law school this Fall, we gathered some final takeaways from each Summer Associate about their experience at Messner Reeves:
“I can do it! My experience at Messner has given me a boost of confidence in the legal community.”
“Try everything. You never know when you’ll find a passion or something that you resonate with.”
Ben is gearing up for his third and final year at the University of Colorado School of Law this upcoming fall. His recent summer clerkship solidified his passion for the legal field and invigorated his interest in entrepreneurship, hospitality, business, real estate, and corporate law.
“The sense of community that is present in a field that I assumed would be ruthless and unwelcoming. Instead, I found an atmosphere of professionalism, pride, and warmth. I could not have asked for a better work environment.”
“The opportunity to learn. I knew I would have a chance to explore a variety of practice areas, but Messner Reeves really believes in the people they bring on. I was given the opportunity to try my hand at real and important legal work well beyond what I could have ever imagined.”
Niall is entering his 2L year at the University of Colorado School of Law this fall. Having completed his summer clerkship he is eager to pursue his career working with restaurants and breweries as legal counsel.
“Being a litigator is NOT the same thing as being a trial attorney.”
“Never pigeonhole yourself as a lawyer by saying you just do one type of law.”
Rachel is entering her final year as a 3L at the University of Colorado Law this fall. Her summer confirmed her love of litigation and she looks forward to a career as a trial attorney, hopefully including complex cases involving medical issues and licensed professionals.
“Don’t pigeonhole yourself in the profession, civility and credibility go hand in hand, treat everyone as if you are in the presence of a judge.”
“No two days are similar. Take advantage of every new experience and opportunity presented.”
Dom is entering his 2L year at Creighton University School of Law, with experience from his summer clerkship focusing on litigation. He is excited to showcase his newfound strategies in his studies this fall.
“Do not limit yourself to what you know or are comfortable with. Being open to new opportunities and engaging in those that are outside of your comfort zone is the fastest way to learn, grow, and improve.”
“Knowing who your audience is and what they care about is fundamental any time you are communicating. Whether you are communicating with a client, a partner at the firm, a jury, or a judge, you should keep your audience in mind.”
As he enters his third and final year at the University of Oklahoma College of Law this fall, Jacob’s prior experience at Messner Reeves, combined with his comprehensive legal education thus far, positions him with the necessary knowledge and experience to be an asset in tackling any legal matter.
Congratulations to Messner Reeves’ 2023 class of Summer Associates! We wish each of these talented law students continued success as they pursue their education and interests in the legal industry.
New fields of opportunity for growers, manufacturers and investors
Assists in the adaptation to changes in federal law, as well as the state-level laws applicable to the cultivation and production
Start up
Ongoing business concerns
Real Estate
Drafting lease agreements for Landlords or Tenants in the cannabis space
Review and provide advice regarding commercial leases
Amendments to commercial leases
Drafting purchase and sale agreements
Due diligence for real estate purchases and sales
Litigation
Litigation against cities in defense of your cannabis business
Administrative hearings regarding the denial or revocation of business licenses
Civil litigation regarding commercial leases and landlord disputes
Civil litigation of zoning compliance issues
IP litigation
Litigation of contract disputes
Litigation of trademark disputes
Licensing/Compliance
Prepare state and local license applications
Drafting and managing of business and operational plans to be submitted to state and local municipalities for operational licenses
Advise businesses on local and state permitting and licensing processes
Periodic legal compliance audits
Monitoring existing and evolving state and local regulations
Banking & Financial
Raising capital
Financing
Investment portfolios
Access to banking options and counseling on how to obtain financing for a cannabis business
Investor counseling
Advising on lending money to cannabis businesses
Drafting promissory notes and other financing instruments
Corporate Structuring
Mergers and Acquisitions
Joint Ventures
Entity selection and registration
Drafting corporate governance documents
Drafting commercial contracts
Advice on buying and selling cannabis businesses
Advising on impact of Section 280E of IRS Code on businesses
Intellectual Property
Draft underlying contracts and attend to due diligence matters to buy or sell cannabis business
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