Mandelbaum Barrett adds Bauchner to its expanded Cannabis & Psychedelics Practice Group

Mandelbaum Barrett P.C. in Roseland announced it recently welcomed Joshua Bauchner as chair of its expanded Cannabis & Psychedelics Practice Group and a partner in its Litigation Practice Group. The firm also announced that it has renamed its Cannabis Practice as the Cannabis & Psychedelics Practice Group to reflect this growing, multifaceted and complex area of law that includes cannabis and psychedelics.

As chair, Bauchner will counsel investors, entrepreneurs, growers, distributors and retailers on the growing body of legal, regulatory and business issues impacting the production, sale and use of controlled substances such as cannabis and psychedelics.

Bauchner will be based in the firm’s Roseland office and also will maintain an office in its New York City offices.

Cannabis is now legal in 38 states, and psychedelics are already starting to be legalized in several states, ideally positioning Mandelbaum Barrett to help guide its clients who are part of this development.

Bauchner established an industry-leading reputation for being on the vanguard of controlled substances law. He was instrumental in co-hosting the first-ever and highly successful Cannabis Symposium in New Jersey and currently serves on the New Jersey State Bar Association Cannabis Law Committee, where he is the immediate past co-chair, the New York State Bar Association Cannabis Law Committee and on the NORML Legal and Amicus committees.

He also brings extensive complex commercial and securities litigation, class actions and bankruptcy experience to Mandelbaum Barrett, having handled matters ranging from construction and design defect claims to defending corporate clients against securities fraud claims presented by the Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice.

On joining the firm, Bauchner said, “Mandelbaum Barrett P.C.’s full-service practice allows me to bring a greater range of resources to bear on behalf of my large institutional clients, including banking, corporate transaction support, litigation support, land use, health care regulatory and litigation support.”

Bauchner represents a diverse client base from startups to Fortune 500 companies, as well as cannabis operators and applicants.

Bauchner previously co-chaired the Litigation Department, headed up the Controlled Substances and Regulatory Law Department, and was a member of the Community Association and Bankruptcy departments at Ansell Grimm & Aaron P.C.

A licensed real estate instructor in New York state, Bauchner also has extensive real estate industry experience, having represented condominium and cooperative boards of management.

He is admitted to practice in both New York and New Jersey, as well as in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of New York, as well as the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second and Third Circuit.

“Josh brings a wealth of experience and a genuine commitment to supporting and advancing the complex controlled substance industry, which is quickly evolving and promises tremendous business growth,” William Barrett, CEO of Mandelbaum Barrett, said. “His reputation in this space precedes him, and I know our clients will be well represented with his addition to the practice.”