Sahar Ayinehsazian

Partner

Los Angeles

sahar@vicentesederberg.com

310-684-2016

3415 S. Sepulveda Blvd.
11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90034

Banking & Financial Services Access
Commercial Transactions
Corporate & Business
Food, Beverages & Consumer Packaged Goods
Intellectual Property
International Transactions
Licensing
Regulatory Compliance
Technology

California

J.D., Loyola Law School
B.A., University of California San Diego

Overview

Sahar Ayinehsazian is a partner in Vicente Sederberg's Los Angeles office. As a leading member of the firm's Corporate Department, she guides multi-state operators in the cannabis industry in their expansion into new markets across the U.S. and advises businesses, investors, and other law firms on the nuances of executing corporate transactions involving licensed and ancillary cannabis companies.

In 2023, Sahar was recognized by her peers in the "Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch" list for her work in corporate law.

Prior to joining VS, Sahar served as the director of regulatory and governmental affairs at a multi-state money transmitter servicing the cannabis industry, where she developed a comprehensive understanding of credit card flow, banking and cannabis compliance. Using her specialized knowledge, Sahar helped establish and currently co-leads VS's Banking and Financial Services Access practice. In addition to helping cannabis and cannabis-related businesses establish traditional banking relationships, she assists third-party payment providers with compliance related to state and federal cannabis banking guidelines.  

As a member of the National Cannabis Industry Association’s Banking & Financial Services Committee, Sahar works on strategy and educational advocacy to enable state-licensed businesses to obtain accounts at depository institutions. She is a go-to source for businesses, industry groups, and reporters seeking opinions, analysis, and guidance on cannabis and hemp corporate, banking and financial services matters. 

Sahar holds a Bachelor of Arts, with honors, from the University of California, San Diego, and a law degree from Loyola Law School, where she was a Loyola Scholar. 

Experience

Leadership & Community Involvement

  • Member, Banking & Financial Services Committee, National Cannabis Industry Association, 2019-2020
  • Member, Banking Access Committee, National Cannabis Industry Association, 2018-2019
  • Chief Advisor for Banking Policy, California Growers Association, 2018-2019

 

Sample Representations & Transactions

  • Acted as cannabis regulatory and corporate counsel to Cookies, one of the largest multi-state operators in the United States, in connection with various intellectual property licensing and joint venture transactions.

  • Acted as cannabis regulatory counsel to Harvest Health & Recreation, Inc., one of the largest multi-state operators in the United States, in connection with their signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Verano Holdings, LLC, one of the largest privately held multi-state, vertically integrated licensed operators of cannabis facilities with an extensive portfolio of premium branded products, in an $850 million all-stock deal.

  • Acted as cannabis regulatory counsel to TILT Holdings Inc. in connection with its acquisition of Standard Farms., a vertically integrated cannabis operator, with the majority of its operations in Pennsylvania, for US$5M cash and US$45M in securities.

  • Acted as cannabis regulatory counsel to TILT Holdings Inc. in connection with its acquisition of Blackbird Holdings Corp., a distribution company providing logistics operations and software solutions for each touchpoint in the cannabis supply chain, for approximately US$40 million, consisting of US$12M cash and 11,090,453 shares of TILT.

  • Acted as cannabis regulatory counsel to Canaccord Genuity, LLC on numerous transactions.

  • Acted as cannabis regulatory counsel to LeafLink.

  • Represented a device manufacturer on plans to enter the cannabis market and national expansion, including advertising parameters, banking matters, and the status of state legislation.

  • Represented an entertainment company on a potential expansion into the cannabis industry.

  • Represented a leading e-commerce company on its plans to expand into the cannabis sector.

  • Represented numerous cannabis brands and manufacturers in intellectual property licensing and contract manufacturing agreements.

  • Represented numerous cannabis and ancillary operators in obtaining depository accounts with financial institutions.

  • Acted as cannabis regulatory counsel to numerous California cannabis businesses seeking to obtain state licensing.

Recognition

Publications

VS Insights

External Publications

Events

In the Media