Manatt cannabis and CBD practice Leader Anita Famili has been named a 2021 Cannabis MVP by Law360. The publication recognized Famili for her work helping guide some of the largest deals in the cannabis space across several different sectors, including helping a major corporate acquisition navigate complicated state regulatory rules.
In the MVP profile, Famili noted that her biggest accomplishment in the past year was advising Ceres Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition corporation, in its $1.88 billion combination with operator Parallel Inc. The publication noted that the parties were still negotiating the transaction in August. Law360 also noted that Famili represented hip-hop artist and record producer Travis Scott in implementing a partnership with Connected Cannabis Co.
The firm’s diverse portfolio of work in the cannabis space is partially a reflection of how the industry has matured, Famili told Law360. “With more than a decade of cannabis-focused work to its name, the firm is well positioned to leverage its expertise to help clients from all over the industry.”
As for why the cannabis space motivates her, Famili credited both the novelty of the work and being able to put together a strong, diverse team that can both benefit clients and help stabilize the industry as a whole, including a willingness to move into more normative standards of how you do deals. “That motivates me, to be a part of that group that is creating the standard, creating these structures that the industry will model itself around and utilize for decades to come,” she added.
Law360 subscribers can read his full profile here.