Our Team
We are licensing and regulatory experts. Real estate and transactional experts. Municipal ordinance, zoning, employment law, criminal defense, litigation, trial law and intellectual property experts. All specializing in, and dedicated to, the Michigan medical marihuana industry. Cannabis Attorneys of Michigan is a team of dedicated lawyers committed to your growth, to your success, and to your needs, not because you are a marihuana business, but because you are first a business.
Our clients are the definition of the entrepreneurial spirit, pioneers in bringing a centuries old medicine into the highly-regulated market of present day. And Cannabis Attorneys of Michigan is there with you every step of the way. From business planning and real estate development, to licensing and trademark protection, to litigation and criminal defense; we support our clients and keep them risk averse, so that they can navigate the fluid and sometimes hostile legal climate facing the marihuana industry. We are the starting point for every successful canna-business.
Denise A. Pollicella, Esq., Founder & Managing Partner, Cannabis Attorneys of Michigan
A graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Wayne State Law, Denise Pollicella’s 21 years of private and corporate practice have focused on Business Transactions, Mergers & Acquisitions, Labor & Employment, Regulatory & Licensing, and Corporate Law. Managing Partner of Pollicella & Associates, PLLC, she founded Cannabis Attorneys of Michigan in 2009 to advance marihuana law in Michigan.
Ms. Pollicella was involved in the crafting of the legislation that is now PA 281 of 2016, the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act, and has been a strong advocate for patients, caregivers and emerging canna-businesses for nearly a decade. In addition to regularly writing, speaking and educating on the Michigan’s rapidly developing marihuana laws, she continues to be at the forefront of developing cannabis policy and regulation at both the state and municipal levels.
Ms. Pollicella is an inaugural member of the Michigan State Bar Marihuana Law Section, and is a member of the Business Law and Labor & Employment Law Sections. She serves on the Small Business Administration’s Marihuana Task Force, as well as the on the Legal Advisory Board of MiCompassion, a charitable organization focused on medical cannabis education and research. She has been a Legal Corner contributor to Culture Magazine since January 2013, and currently serves as legal counsel to the Michigan Cannabis Development Association, which she helped found in 2014.
Ms. Pollicella was recently honored to be named one of Michigan Lawyers Weekly’s 2017 Women in the Law, and has been named one of American’s Top Lawyers by the American Law Society.
Ms. Pollicella holds Bachelors of Arts degrees in Political Science and French, and worked in the US Senate prior to attending law school. She then served as Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel for Childtime Learning Centers before departing for her most important job, mom to two beautiful children. She started her own Livingston County practice in 2003, where she resides with her family.
Jackie Langwith, Partner, Cannabis Attorneys of Michigan
Ms. Langwith joined the Firm in May 2017 and was named a Partner a year later. She currently heads up the MMFLA state licensing division for the Firm.
Ms. Langwith brings a diverse legal background to the Firm. Not only was she a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve, she was a research analyst for the Michigan Legislative Service Bureau for fourteen years. While at LSB, Ms. Langwith advised individual state legislators on policy issues, many involving controlled substance and marijuana topics. With experience in the areas of Criminal Defense, Family Law, and Intellectual Property, she is also a court-appointed appellate attorney. She was published in the August 2018 issue of the Michigan Bar Journal.
Ms. Langwith received her Juris Doctor in 2015, Magna Cum Laude from Cooley Law School in Michigan and is admitted to the State Bar of Michigan. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Northern Michigan University and a Master of Science from Michigan Technological University. Ms. Langwith lives in Howell, Michigan with her husband and rescue dogs.
Nathan Shevick, Associate Attorney
Nathan Shevick joined the firm in August 2018 as an Associate Attorney. He is responsible for MMFLA Compliance, municipal applications, and Client Field Operations, and serves as the Firm’s MMFLA state and municipal liaison. Mr. Shevick’s experience includes criminal defense and marihuana law in Lansing, as well as serving the Granholm Administration in the Office of the First Gentleman. Mr. Shevick’s diverse credentials bring valuable talent to the Firm and its clientele.
Mr. Shevick received his Juris Doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he consistently made the Dean’s List. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Michigan State University. He is a Sigma Alpha Epsilon and a diehard football fan. Mr. Shevick enjoys tailgating, going to Michigan State football and basketball games, caring for his Pitbull, Maddux, talking politics, and spending time with family and friends.
Kyle Debruycker, Associate Attorney
Mr. Debruycker is the Firm’s Litigation attorney. He is a member of both the Marihuana Law and Litigation Sections of the State Bar of Michigan, and has worked previously in matters related to Criminal Prosecution, Elder Law and Estate Planning.
Mr. Debruycker earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University in 2013 and in 2017, earned a Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School with a concentration in Litigation. He was sworn in to the State Bar of Michigan in May of 2018.
Born and raised in Michigan, Mr. Debruycker currently resides in Northville with his cat Calvin, who he rescued from a dump during his first year of law school. He is engaged to be married in 2019.
Nicholas Castro, Associate Attorney
Nick Castro joined the Firm in August 2018 as a legal intern and became an Associate Attorney in November 2018. Mr. Castro serves as a Municipal Ordinance and State MMFLA Liaison at the Firm, and he oversees the monitoring of state and federal marihuana legislation. Additionally, he focuses on business creation and transactions. He has previously worked on matters related to Business Law, Municipal Law, Environmental Law, and Estate Planning.
Mr. Castro earned his Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in November 2018. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Illinois State University in 2015. Originally from the Southside of Chicago, Mr. Castro relocated to Michigan to attend law school. He currently lives in Northville, and enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, and going on adventures with his German Shepherd.
Laurie Stiers, Paralegal
Laurie Stiers joined the firm in June, 2018, and specializes in Medical Marihuana Facilities License Applications, as well as litigation support and legal research.
Ms. Stiers received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and went on to obtain her Paralegal Certificate from Oakland Community College, where she graduated with honors.
In 2012, Ms. Stiers worked as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, (CASA) through the Livingston County Juvenile Court. During that time, she assisted in neglect/abuse cases, interviewing and meeting with the child involved, attending court meetings, and documenting her findings to the Juvenile Court Judge.
Laurie enjoys spending her free time with her husband and children at their cottage on Lake Huron, singing at open mic nights, gardening, and raising cage free chickens.