Vicente PacNW emerges from Emerge Merge , “After serving clients for over 12 years, Emerge Law Group is closing its doors.”

That’s a bit of a tongue twister.

On the wires today

 

Kaci Hoffman writes on Linked In

After 8 amazing years at Emerge Law Group, I am excited to announce that my Emerge colleagues and I have joined Vicente LLP, where we will continue our practices. This transition ensures continuity for client matters while expanding our work through Vicente’s national platform. Looking forward to continuing my work with an incredible team at Vicente!

Vicente say on Linked In

Vicente LLP is expanding its presence in the Pacific Northwest with the launch of a new office in Portland, Oregon and we are proud to welcome five outstanding Oregon-based attorneys to the firm.

Join us in welcoming Dave Kopilak, Sean Clancy, Alex J Berger, Kaci Hohmann, and Adam S. Gamboa, who join Vicente LLP from Emerge Law Group!

The firm’s regional growth and collaboration with Emerge’s seasoned attorneys allow Vicente LLP to support clients operating in regulated markets across both Oregon and Washington with cannabis licensing, psilocybin services regulation, hemp-derived cannabinoid oversight, corporate and commercial transactions, land-use and zoning matters and beyond.

 

Vicente LLP Expands in Oregon, Hires Five Leading Cannabis and Psychedelic Attorneys

PORTLAND — Vicente LLP, a national leader in cannabis, hemp, and psychedelics law and policy, formally announces the opening of its new Oregon office and the addition of five seasoned attorneys from Emerge Law Group: Dave Kopilak, Alex J. Berger, Sean Clancy, Kaci Hohmann, and Adam Gamboa. 

This expansion extends Vicente LLP’s presence throughout the Pacific Northwest, including support for businesses operating in both Oregon and Washington.

Oregon remains a central jurisdiction for cannabis, hemp-derived cannabinoids, and psilocybin regulation. Establishing a Portland office enables Vicente LLP to more effectively support clients navigating licensing, compliance, business operations, and regulatory developments tied to the state’s  cannabis system and its pioneering regulated psilocybin services program.

“We are thrilled to expand our team and services with the addition of five remarkable Oregon-based attorneys. This strategic expansion will allow Vicente LLP to provide outstanding legal services to clients in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.  It is rare to find seasoned attorneys that share Vicente LLP’s history and longstanding commitment to excellent legal representation for cannabis and psychedelic companies. We are thrilled to bring on attorneys from Emerge Law Group.” – Brian Vicente, Founding Partner 

The five attorneys joining Vicente LLP have extensive experience advising operators, investors, and ancillary businesses in regulated markets:

  • Dave Kopilak, the primary drafter of Oregon’s adult-use cannabis law and the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act, brings significant legislative insight and decades of experience in corporate transactions, securities, and business structuring.
  • Alex J. Berger focuses on regulatory compliance, licensing, investigations, food and drug matters, and land use. He has advised cannabis, hemp-derived THC/CBD, and psilocybin businesses across the supply chain and has served on numerous state rules advisory committees.
  • Sean Clancy is a business and intellectual property specialist with deep experience handling innovative, highly regulated industries. He was part of the drafting team for Oregon’s Psilocybin Services Act and his legal background includes representing clients in cannabis, psychedelics, consumer products, professional services, media, and technology.
  • Kaci Hohmann is licensed in Oregon, Colorado, and New Jersey and joins the firm with experience in corporate and transactional law, advising clients on entity formation, governance, financing, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial contracts. She previously chaired the Oregon State Bar’s Cannabis and Psychedelics Law Section and was a member of the drafting team for the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act.
  • Adam Gamboa is a litigator representing individuals and businesses in commercial disputes, injury matters, and professional malpractice cases. Practicing in Oregon since 2005, he brings extensive trial and negotiation experience, advising clients on strategic and cost-effective approaches to litigation.

Emerge Law Group has long been recognized as a leading firm in cannabis, psychedelics, and business law. The integration of its attorneys into Vicente LLP expands the firm’s regional depth and supports continued growth in Oregon’s maturing regulated markets.

With the launch of its Oregon office, Vicente LLP is expanding the resources available to clients, from licensing and compliance guidance to transactional and strategic counsel, while enhancing support for companies growing within or entering the Pacific Northwest.

About Vicente LLP  

Vicente LLP is the premier cannabis and psychedelics law firm. Since 2010, the firm has helped clients navigate laws and regulations, build and grow businesses, and shape public policy to advance the legal marijuana, hemp, and psychedelics sectors across the globe. Vicente LLP has been ranked a Nationwide Band 1 law firm by Chambers and Partners since 2019. Learn more at VicenteLLP.com.

 

and here’s the official death of Emerge release

Emerge Law Group joins Vicente LLP

After serving clients for over 12 years, Emerge Law Group is closing its doors.  The majority of our attorneys, including Dave Kopilak, Sean Clancy, Alex Berger, Kaci Hohmann, and Adam Gamboa, joined Vicente LLP, effective December 15, 2025.   We have worked with many Vicente attorneys over the years and those of us joining Vicente are excited to continue our work at our new home.  Our amazing long-time land use colleague Corinne Celko will be moving on to a new non-legal career, and we wish her the best of luck.  Our tax colleague Bernard Chamberlain, who was one of Emerge’s original shareholders, will continue practicing at his own law firm.

We want to thank all the clients (more than 1,000!) that we’ve had the privilege of serving as well as the 50 attorneys and dozens of staff who, at one time or another, were part of the Emerge family.  Together, we all played a role in drafting, campaigning for, and implementing Oregon Ballot Measure 91 (2014) and Oregon Ballot Measure 109 (2020), and all of us are proud and grateful to have played a small part in Oregon history.  There is always more work to be done and more progress to make.  We are energized for the future and excited to keep going.

As we turn the page, here’s everyone’s new contact information:

For any and all legacy Emerge Law Group matters, please email:  adminstaff@emergelawgroup.com

Thank you, everyone, for everything.  Here’s to new beginnings and the road ahead!

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