When my clients approach me with an issue, the first thing we discuss is what a victory would look like. I urge them to aim for something they can live with that lets them get on with their lives and back to the business at hand as soon as possible. Taking this practical approach, I give advice backed by solid analysis and recommendations that are sound but not too conservative. Because I believe in being entirely candid, I lay out all pros and cons of their options and point them in the optimal direction so they can make an informed and sensible decision.
Advising clients on cannabis law matters and advocating in financial services litigation, Alex handles a wide range of issues, including those relating to trade secrets, restrictive covenants, financial services regulation and enforcement, fiduciary disputes, business divorces, and the COVID-19 pandemic and fallout. He frequently litigates in such venues as the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and the Commercial Division in New York. Alex views litigation and counseling as different sides of the same coin; both work in tandem to drive smart, creative strategies that advance clients’ business goals.
In his Cannabis, Hemp & CBD law practice, Alex counsels U.S. and Canadian companies in connection with the state of the law and appropriate disclosures to potential investors, helps prospective distributors and processors of industrial hemp with logistical issues, and advises clients about the impact of the de-scheduling of hemp. In addition, he guides distributors of products containing CBD in connection with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and compliance issues.
Gratified to help pioneer the innovative cannabis law practice, Alex enjoys grappling with the novel issues that constantly crop up as the industry grows and matures. Clients must contend with a patchwork of state and local laws and a regulatory landscape that keeps shifting under their feet. He goes beyond answering their standard questions and provides a value-add by bringing up potential horizon scenarios and issues that are important for them to put on their radar. As an authority on this burgeoning legal area, Alex writes and speaks frequently on the subject.
In financial services conflicts, Alex represents foreign investors, trustees, hedge funds, brokerage firms, and others in connection in a range of litigation. He counsels institutions in connection with the obligations and enforcement of the restrictive covenants of employees and potential hires. In addition, Alex counsels companies in Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement actions and related civil litigation and defends clients in claims brought under the Commodity Exchange Act. Several of his cases have resulted in precedent-setting decisions. Having lived abroad, and fluent in both Russian and Hebrew, Alex brings an international perspective to his overseas matters.
Many closely held and medium-sized business owners and partners turn to Alex to help them through governance and ownership disputes. They often need help cleaning up messes arising out of standard boilerplate agreements or those that were hastily and carelessly drafted or even downloaded online. He always advises entities to evaluate their operating agreements early on because proactive correction is far preferable to revisiting these documents in the midst of a partnership split or other business divorce.
To bring clarity and avoid muddying the picture, Alex doesn’t inundate those he counsels with a lot of confusing qualifiers. This direct communication helps clients make expedient decisions that they feel good about. With a strong belief in honesty, Alex doesn’t hesitate to tell them when they are on the wrong path or making bad choices. He always informs them of the ramifications of embarking on litigation, and if they decide to enter into it, they do so with their eyes open and a clear exit strategy in place.