Biography
Mr. Brandeis is Senior Counsel with the firm. His practice focuses on advising businesses and government entities on regulation of the marijuana industry. Mr. Brandeis has extensive experience with Alaska marijuana law and policy. He has litigated cases involving the legality of marijuana in Alaska and has published several articles on this topic, including the only comprehensive history of the development of Alaska’s unique marijuana laws. His marijuana law and policy research has been cited in national and local publications and has been presented at international academic conferences. He has been recognized as “a leading scholar on the subject of marijuana laws in Alaska” by the Alaska Law Review.
Mr. Brandeis has represented clients at all levels of the state and federal court systems, including the United States Supreme Court, where he was co-counsel in Morse v. Frederick, a prominent student free speech case. He has experience with civil litigation, appellate advocacy, business development, legislative policy analysis, and compliance with political campaign finance and disclosure laws.
Prior to joining the firm on a full-time basis, Mr. Brandeis was a tenured associate professor of justice and legal studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He taught courses on the American legal system, constitutional law, and civil liberties.
Education
- Vermont Law School, South Royalton, Vermont
- J.D. - 2001
- Ohio University
- B.S.S. - 1997
Admitted to Practice
- Alaska
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
- U.S. District Court District of Alaska
Practice Areas
Professional Associations
- Alaska Bar Association Law Related Education Committee
- International Cannabis Bar Association
Past Positions
- Alaska Public Offices Commision, Associate Attorney
- University of Alaska Anchorage, Associate Professor of Justice and Legal Studies
- American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, Staff Attorney
Reported Decisions
- Morse v. Frederick, 551 US 393, United States Supreme Court
- State of Alaska v. American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, 204 P.3d 364
- State of Alaska, Dept. of Corrections v. Lundy, 188 P.3d 692 (amicus)
- Anchorage Baptist Temple v. Coonrod, 166 P.3d 29
- Green Party of Alaska v. State of Alaska, Divisions of Elections, 147 P.3d 728 (amicus)
Published Works
- Author, “Marijuana legalization: Read before you grow, sell, toke,” Alaska Bar Rag, Vol. 40, No. 1 (Jan-March, 2016)
- Author, “Ravin Revisited: Alaska’s Historic Common Law Marijuana Rule at the Dawn of Legalization,” Alaska Law Review, Vol. 32, Issue 2 (2015)
- Author, “Marijuana Legalization: Where the process stands now,” Alaska Bar Rag, Vol. 39, No. 3 (July-September, 2015)
- Author, “Ravin Reviewed: A Brief Recap of Alaska’s Unique Marijuana Law,” Alaska Bar Rag, Vol. 38, No. 3 (July-September, 2014)
- Author, “Shifting Marijuana Laws and Policies: Implications for Alaska,” Alaska Justice Forum, Vol. 31, No. 1-2 (Spring/Summer 2014)
- Author, “The Continuing Vitality of Ravin v. State: Alaskans Still Have a Constitutional Right to Possess Marijuana in the Privacy of Their Homes,” Alaska Law Review, Vol. 29, Issue 2 (2012)
- Author, “Status of Marijuana Law Confused by Election,” Alaska Bar Rag, Vol. 41, No. 1 (Jan-March, 2017)
- Author, “Marijuana legalization in Alaska: It’s about to get real,” Alaska Bar Rag, Vol. 40, No. 3 (July-Sept., 2016)
- Author, “Federal rules complicate growing Alaska marijuana business,” Alaska Bar Rag, Vol. 42, No. 3 (July-September 2017)
- Author, “Marijuana legalization: can you bank on it?” Alaska Bar Rag, Vol. 42, No. 1 (Jan-March, 2018)
- Author, “Marijuana industry landlords, tenants face complicated rules,” Alaska Bar Rag Vol. 43, No. 3 (July-September 2019)
Honors
- Anchorage Daily News ‘Achievement in Business’ Award Recipient, 2020