News Release
Prominent Cannabis Attorney Heidi Urness Joins McGlinchey
Read Time: 2 minsSEATTLE (May 2022) — McGlinchey is pleased to announce that nationally-recognized cannabis attorney, Heidi Urness, has joined the firm as a Member. She will be the Chair of the Cannabis Practice Group and located in Seattle. Heidi will focus her practice on representing participants from the broad range of the cannabis industry spanning hemp, CBD, and THC-related businesses, including business owners and operators, investors, banks and financial institutions, insurers, and industry and trade organizations.
“We have been very strategic in our search for a partner to lead and grow our cannabis practice and are excited to bring Heidi on board. She is the perfect fit for our firm culture and our clients’ needs,” said Michael Ferachi, Firm Managing Member. “Heidi has a remarkable amount of experience in cannabis law, and her considerable expertise in this sector will yield tremendous value for our clients throughout our national footprint.”
With a nationally-recognized reputation in financial services and a footprint spanning the United States, McGlinchey’s cannabis practice stands poised as the regulatory framework evolves to help any business enter, navigate, and grow within the emerging cannabis industry. McGlinchey lawyers understand the ins and outs of the complex state and federal regulatory frameworks and can counsel cannabis industry participants in matters ranging from products liability, insurance, and IP, financial distress/creditors’ rights, state licensing, tax, business formation, and transactional issues. The Cannabis Practice Group understands the challenges and opportunities the laws present for the industry and those servicing the industry.
“Our client base is getting more involved in the cannabis industry,” Michael said. “As the laws continue to evolve, cannabis regulations keep our clients, especially those in financial services, up at night. A forward-thinking cannabis attorney like Heidi will help us ensure that our clients are navigating the current landscape effectively.”
Heidi has successfully represented a wide range of companies, individuals, entrepreneurs, investors, and licensees. She has served as the owner and Managing Attorney of Heidi Urness, PLLC and as Strategic Legal Counsel at Cultiva Law, where she leveraged her skills and insights to cultivate effective legal solutions across all stages of corporate development, operation, and litigation in the cannabis industry. Heidi was appointed to the Editorial Advisory Committee of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) in 2018. She is a member of the WSBA Cannabis Law Section, a leading author on CBD, hemp, and marijuana law, and a regular contributor to many of the nation’s premier cannabis publications including Marijuana Venture, CannaBiz Journal, and the Cannabis Law Journal.
“I am thrilled to join McGlinchey to offer direct legal advice to the firm’s established client base and to provide my cannabis industry clients with hands-on solutions and strategies through the firm’s full-service platform,” said Heidi. “I often help people and companies trying to enter the cannabis industry or grow their businesses. With McGlinchey’s impressive corporate and financial services capabilities and me in their corner, our combined client base will be equipped to succeed in this evolving industry.”
Heidi was named one of the 30 Powerful Cannabis Litigators You Should Know by mgMagazine and one of the Global Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers by Cannabis Law Report & Cannabis Law Journal. She speaks nationwide on the topics of marijuana, hemp, and cannabinoid (such as CBD, Delta-8) laws, including most recently the CBD Expo and Women Grow Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. Heidi also educates other attorneys regarding cannabis law issues during CLEs held throughout the year.
Heidi received her J.D. from University of San Francisco School of Law in 2011. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology and journalism from Wake Forest University in 2008.