Our Team

Profile

Adrienne Dean is a Partner at Cogent Law Group in the Cannabis Law practice group. She advises companies seeking to operate licensed cannabis businesses on state and local licensing and regulatory compliance matters. Adrienne has appeared before municipal authorities to seek local approvals for her clients’ marijuana businesses and to advocate for the unbiased application of local laws to those businesses. She has also represented a vertically integrated medical and adult-use marijuana business from initial application through the buy-out of the company’s founders. A committed advocate of social equity in the emerging cannabis industry, Adrienne devotes a part of her practice to policy work that supports the participation of smaller, locally owned businesses in the regulated cannabis industry. Adrienne has testified before the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission concerning changes to the adult-use and medical marijuana regulations that would improve conditions for small businesses.

In addition to her cannabis licensing and regulatory practice, Adrienne also advises start-ups and mid-size companies on corporate law matters. She is seasoned at forming corporations and LLCs, explaining formal corporate governance issues to clients and familiarizing them with various fundraising options, including traditional forms of debt and equity financing as well as newer ones such as convertible notes, SAFEs and crowdfunding. Adrienne also counsels businesses on planning for other significant corporate events, such as structuring equity awards to partners and early hires, the disposition and acquisition of assets, and real estate transactions.

Adrienne began her career at Credit Suisse Securities USA in New York City as a Compliance Specialist in the General Counsel’s Office. Prior to joining Cogent Law, Adrienne served as a partner at a Boston-based boutique corporate and securities law firm.

Education:

B.A. in English, Wesleyan University

J.D., Brooklyn Law School

Bar Admissions

Massachusetts

Affiliations

International Cannabis Bar Association

Women’s Bar Association (Massachusetts)

Boston Bar Association

Massachusetts Bar Association