Portland, OR – Emerge Law Group (“Emerge”) a full-service business law firm well known for its leading cannabis and psychedelics practices, announced three new additions. These new attorneys deepen the firm’s expertise and client base, including in the dynamic craft beverage industry.
RUSS ROTONDI is a business lawyer who specializes in advising craft beverage, cannabis, and other creative companies and entrepreneurs to start, manage, and grow their businesses, often in regulated industries. His practice primarily focuses on business structuring, corporate finance, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and real estate transactions. Russ has served niche private and public companies for over a decade.
“After years of working across the table from Russ on a number of complex business transactions, we are thrilled to have him join the firm as a shareholder,” said Marco Materazzi, Emerge’s Co-Managing Shareholder. “Russ’s sharp skills, poise under pressure, and diverse set of clients are wonderful additions to Emerge.”
Prior to joining Emerge Law Group, Russ was the solo practitioner at Craft Lawyer, in-house counsel with a public cannabis multi-state operator (MSO), and an associate at Cosgrave Vergeer Kester LLP. Prior to his law career, he was an industrial designer in Seattle and San Francisco.
JAKE CORMIER focuses his practice on general business law. He works with business clients on all aspects of their operations and growth including entity formation and structure, contractual relations, governance, mergers and acquisitions, and other legal matters that impact their business.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jake for several years as a business partner and attorney colleague. Jake’s significant business and legal experience, combined with his instincts, humility, and rapport with clients, are invaluable assets to Emerge. I’m delighted to continue working together and serve the firm’s broad client base,” said the firm’s newest shareholder, Russ Rotondi.
Prior to joining Emerge Law Group Jake was Senior Counsel at Portland-based Cosgrave Vergeer Kester LLP where he was a member of their Business Practice Group. Jake represents large corporate clients in the regulated markets as well as smaller start-ups. Jake previously practiced law in Illinois and Vermont.
BLAKE MARVIS primarily specializes in business litigation. Coming from an insurance defense background, Blake is familiar with a wide range of different types of complex litigation. Blake brings this versatile experience to Emerge’s litigation group, to help clients navigate the unique challenges of cannabis business litigation.
Tim Alger, shareholder, and head of the firm’s litigation practice said, “Blake has hit the ground running at Emerge and is already an indispensable member of our strong litigation team. He is a strategic, zealous litigator who thrives in the often complex civil actions that we handle in emerging industries and changing, unsettled areas of law.”
Blake is a graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School, where he was an associate editor on the Lewis & Clark Law Review and an active participant of the Small Business Legal Clinic. While earning his law degree, Blake worked at a plaintiff’s side personal injury firm, where he further developed his litigation experience. Blake also interned for the Honorable Senior Judge Anna J. Brown in the United States District Court of Oregon
About Emerge Law Group
Emerge is a full-service business law firm that represents a wide range of clients, from publicly-traded companies to small family businesses and start-ups. Emerge provides counsel to clients in the areas of technology, manufacturing, real estate development, hospitality, and entertainment. Emerge is most well known for handling high profile matters that have shaped the law in the cutting edge industries of cannabis and psychedelics. While many firms claim expertise in these areas, few have Emerge’s depth and experience in shaping the laws and successfully representing clients through the dynamic and uncertain stages of new industry. Emerge is also committed to advocacy for equity, diversity, and inclusion in the communities it serves, through actively engaging in impact litigation and pro bono services.
