Cannabis Staff Attorney

City University of New York School of Law and the job listing Expires on June 5, 2026 The Community & Economic Development Clinic (CEDC) at CUNY School of Law seeks applicants for the position of Staff Attorney. The CEDC Cannabis Staff Attorney will work to advance the CEDC’s mission of advocating for racial, economic, and social justice by providing legal advice, educational services, and other assistance to social & economic equity & CAURD cannabis licensees and applicants in a variety of areas, including incorporation, governance, application support, compliance (with corporate, employment, tax, cannabis and other laws), and real estate, zoning/land use, and lease issues. The Staff Attorney will also provide educational opportunities via workshops, trainings, and materials development. The Staff Attorney will also participate in relevant coalition work, including policy development, and support relevant grant-related responsibilities. The position offers a unique opportunity to provide pro bono legal services to the emerging cannabis industry in New York State.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide comprehensive legal advice to social & economic equity and CAURD cannabis licensees and applicants in New York State on transactional matters, including incorporation, governance, application support, compliance (with corporate, employment, tax, cannabis and other laws). Provide comprehensive legal advice to social & economic equity and CAURD cannabis licensees and applicants in New York State on property matters, including real estate transactions, zoning/land use, and lease issues. Provide educational opportunities via workshops, trainings, and materials development to support current and prospective social & economic equity and CAURD cannabis licensees and applicants in New York State and related social & economic equity initiatives. Participate in relevant coalition work and advocacy, including policy development, alliance building, and collaboration with CEDC’s partners. Engage in effective client intake and screening in compliance with laws and regulations in preparation for legal counseling. Conduct legal research, counseling, and drafting to advance transactional matters from inception through closing, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and legal ethics. Collaborate with staff on administrative compliance through quality control, program evaluation, outcomes measurement, strategic planning, and technical assistance grants. Support tracking, use of data, special projects and other duties and responsibilities relevant to grant compliance and fundraising.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Applicant should be admitted to the New York State Bar, or pending admission within 3 months of start date, or able to be admitted on motion. Applicant should have at least 2 years’ relevant post-law school experience. Strong research, writing and analytical skills. Excellent organizational skills. Excellent interpersonal/communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations. Ability to work independently and collaboratively. Strongly preferred familiarity with the New York State cannabis law and regulations. Strongly preferred experience in community organizing and working with grassroots groups fostering social justice in the city and a demonstrated commitment to social justice and engagement in racial, economic, and social justice initiatives. Strongly preferred experience engaging with clients and communities through accessible information and popular education, and developing creative movement lawyering strategies to support grassroots and community-based organizing. Strongly preferred personal experience in navigating systems affecting communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, working and immigrant communities of color, and/or historically marginalized communities.

SALARY AND COMPENSATION

Salary and benefits in this position is facilitated by the CUNY Research Foundation (RFCUNY). This is a full‑time position in New York City with excellent benefits, including: Paid vacation and personal days Paid sick leave Pre‑tax benefits for transit and healthcare costs Family/parental leave Life insurance CEDC‑RFCUNY staff also benefit from: A positive work/life balance. Opportunities for advancement within the organization. Engagement with the broader CUNY network. Working with organizational leadership who have years of significant public sector and policymaking expertise.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY is an equal opportunity employer. CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans, women, people of color, immigrants, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming people, and people from poor and working‑class backgrounds to apply. We have a strict policy against discrimination, harassment and retaliation of any type and our goal is to provide a work environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation as well as other disrespectful or other unprofessional conduct based on any protected class: race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin (at CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups), age (40 and over), medical condition, physical or mental disability, marital status, registered domestic partner status, sex (including sexual harassment, sex stereotypes and pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, ancestry, genetic information/characteristics, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender identity or expression), reproductive decision making, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic or activity protected by law. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer. NYC Pay Transparency Act In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the compensation for this position is $85,000 – $100,000 per year. CUNY CEDC considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. NYC Fair Chance Act In accordance with New York law, we consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law and the NYC Fair Chance Act. #J-18808-Ljbffr Nichols College