Lloyd Pierre-Louis

Member
Columbus

Lloyd Pierre-Louis is a member at Dickinson Wright and previously served as deputy chair of the firm's corporate/MA practice. His focuses on administrative and cannabis law, and with particularity in licensing, regulatory compliance and legislative advocacy in the legal cannabis and more traditional highly-regulated industries. Along with the process of legislation and rulemaking, he assists entities and individuals through every aspect of licensure, regulatory compliance, business operations, employment, and business transactions. His clients include producers, manufacturers, retailers, service providers, testing laboratories, equity and debt investors, nonprofits, and trade associations.

Lloyd's efforts have resulted in his clients’ acquisitions of dozens of valuable licenses, rule changes, and numerous Ohio enactments, including Ohio’s cannabis acts, state operating and capital budget amendments securing funds for vulnerable populations and nonprofit organizations, and expanding market options for treating opioid use disorder. He has authored articles appearing in Law360, Bezinga, and Smart Business Magazine, presented to trade groups, been interviewed by news organizations on several medium platforms regarding ongoing issues concerning the legal cannabis industry, and been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for administrative law and cannabis law each of the last 4 years. His prior experience includes over a decade as a civil litigator in both state and federal courts, work on all phases of administrative appeals for licensees facing state action, service as an Ohio Court of Claims Commissioner, and service as chief counsel to the Ohio House of Representatives.

 

Education & Credentials

Education

The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law

J.D., 1997

Clark University

B.A., 1994

Bar Admission

  • Ohio

Areas Of Practice

Cannabis Corporate Administrative & Regulatory
Civil Litigation

Acknowledgements

  • The Legal 500 United States
    •   Cannabis, 2021, 2024-2025
  • Best Lawyers in America®
    • Administrative Law, 2021, 2023-2026
    • Cannabis Law, 2023-2026
    • Government Relations Practice, 2024-2026

Prominent Assignments

  • Secured dozens of state-legalized medical and adult recreational use cannabis licenses for clients in Ohio, Michigan, New York, West Virginia, California, and New Jersey
  • Regulatory compliance for debt and equity transaction exceeding $50 million
  • Regulatory compliance for equity transactions exceeding $400 million
  • Secured millions in capital and operating funding commitments from state and local government sources for nonprofit entities
  • Obtained federal and state certifications for small minority and woman-owned businesses to access significant federal and state contracts
  • Secured change in law permitting for-profit entities to participate in opioid treatment and Medicaid funding

Professional Involvement

  • Ohio State Bar Association 
  • National Bar Association 
  • Columbus Bar Association
  • John Mercer Langston Bar Association
  • Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education, Former Commissioner
  • Ohio Court of Claims Commission, Former Commissioner
  • Legislative Task Force on Redistricting, Reapportionment, and Demographic Research, Former Member

Community Involvement

  • The Columbus Academy, Trustee
  • Columbus (OH) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Member
  • The Wellington School, Former Board Member, 2 terms
  • Capitol Square Foundation, Past Board Member
  • Walk with a Doc, Inc., Past Board Member
  • Leadership Columbus, Former Fellow 
  • African-American Leadership Academy, Past Advisory Board Member

Court Admissions

  • The Supreme Court of Ohio 
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio 
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio 
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit 
  • U.S. Supreme Court of United States

Publications/Presentations

Insights

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