ERIK HALVERSON

ERIK HALVERSON

Role: Managing Attorney

Admitted: Washington State (Active) and Colorado (Inactive)

Education: BA Economics from University of Washington; JD from Seattle University School of Law

Practice Areas: Litigation; Transactional; Cannabis Business Counsel; Small and Mid-Size Business Counsel; Personal Injury

Erik Halverson is the Managing Attorney at Halverson Law, PLLC. Clients value Erik for his sense of strategy, diplomacy and willingness to jump into the trenches with them to truly understand their actual legal needs.

He is heavily involved on the front lines of the cannabis industry, having been introduced to the industry during the legalization phase in Colorado and following this up with providing business counsel to the top retailers and producer/processors in Washington State. Through his various work with retailers, producer/processors and ancillary service companies, Erik has grown Halverson Law to occupy a major footprint in the Washington State cannabis 502 industry as a leading 502 cannabis business attorney.

Erik has a long track record of pro-bono public legal service, gaining him recognition in both Colorado and Washington states, including the 2014 Rebekah A. McBride Award as Pro Bono Attorney of the year award for the Northwest Colorado Legal Services Project.

Erik’s results also speak for themselves. Erik has represented injured victims and secured over a million dollars for various injury clients. In his role as a 502 cannabis business attorney in the marijuana law practice, Erik has assisted in rehabilitating numerous retail and producer operations, obtaining licenses for clients, and navigating the complex and often frustrating regulations that the industry is tied to. Often, these transactions and violation defense require out of the box thinking, a true understanding of the pressures on marijuana-related businesses, and a true commitment to the needs and goals of clients.

Erik has built this firm from the ground up, starting the firm in 2010 after selling his vehicle – in favor of an $800 Chevy Celebrity station wagon – to fund his few months of office rent. Since these humble beginnings, this firm has grown to include a specialized staff of experienced, high caliber attorneys and legal professionals who demonstrate an incredible commitment to the firm’s clients and embody the values of integrity and strong worth ethic. This firm’s commitment is not only to its current clients, but also to rolling its resources and expertise into growing its staff, expertise, and sophistication for current and future clients.

Notable Achievements:

• + Selected to 2020 Washington Rising Stars list, recognizing no more than 2.5% of attorneys in Washington.
• + Selected to 2019 Washington Rising Star list, recognizing no more than 2.5% of attorneys in Washington.
• + Recognition in Colorado for pro bono services to indigent clients for 2011, 2012, 2013.
• + Recipient of 2014 Rebekah A. McBride Award, “Pro Bono Attorney of the Year” by the Northwest Colorado Legal Services Project.
• + Recognized in Washington State for ongoing commitment to pro bono legal services.

Other Engagements:

• Adjunct Professor of Business Management at Green River College, Auburn WA.
• + Political Science 200: Intro to Law. Summer term 2019, Auburn Campus.
• + Political Science 200: Intro to Law. Fall term 2019, Kent Campus.

Speaking Engagements:

• Friday, January 10, 2020. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Cannabis Business Operations: The basics of what you absolutely need to know if you’re going to operate in this industry” for CannaCon Northwest. Location: Tacoma Convention Center.
• Friday, December 13, 2019. Speaker/Presenter at NBI on the topic of “Recreational Marijuana Business Law in Washington: The basics of what you absolutely need to know if you’re going to operate in this industry” for NBI – National Business Institute. Location: Hilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown.
• Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Critical Guidance for Landlords Considering Cannabis Tenants” for TRENDS. Location: Washington State Convention Center, Seattle.
• Thursday, May 30, 2019. Chair/Organizer of “Marijuana Law: A Comprehensive Overview for Beginners or Pros” a Continuing Legal Education event for King County Bar Association. Location: King County Bar Association, Seattle.
• Thursday, May 30, 2019. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Rules of the Road for Cannabis Operations” for King County Bar Association. Location: King County Bar Association, Seattle.
• Wednesday, February 20, 2019. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Marijuana Business Law in Washington State” for King County Bar Association: Business Law Section Continued Legal Education. Location: King County Bar Association, Seattle.
• Saturday, February 2, 2019. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “The Basic Dos and Don’ts of Operating in the Cannabis Industry” for CannaCon Northwest. Location: Washington State Convention Center, Seattle.
• Friday, December 14, 2018. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Pot Law: What You Need to Know” for TRENDS: Rental Housing Management and Trade Show. Location: Washington State Convention Center, Seattle.
• Friday, August 17, 2018. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Marijuana Business Law in Washington” for NBI – National Business Institute. Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Seattle Downtown.
• Friday, July 21, 2017. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Recreational Marijuana Business Law in Washington” for NBI – National Business Institute. Location: Washington State Convention Center, Seattle.
• Tuesday, July 18, 2017. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Recreational Marijuana Business Law in Washington” for NBI – National Business Institute. Location: Holiday Inn, Tacoma.
• Thursday, December 8, 2016. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Recreational Marijuana Business Law in Washington” for NBI – National Business Institute. Location: The Red Lion Hotel, Olympia.
• Wednesday, December 7, 2016. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Recreational Marijuana Business Law in Washington” for NBI – National Business Institute. Location: Springhill Suites, Portland Oregon.
• December, 2011. Speaker/Presenter on the topic of “Hanging Your Own Shingle” for Denver Bar Association, Young Lawyer Division. Location: Denver University Sturm School of Law. Denver, Colorado.