Industry Blazers: Laura Bianchi of Rose Law Group

Industry Blazers is a periodic Q&A that spotlights Arizona’s talented medical marijuana professionals who influence and grow the industry.  Brought to you by a collaboration between AZmarijuana.com and Proven Media. Do you know someone that is an Industry Blazer in Arizona? If so, email us their name and contact info.

Laura A. Bianchi | Partner and Director of Medical Marijuana and Director of Business/Corporate Transactions and Estate Planning Departments at Rose Law Group

Laura Bianchi’s practice concentrates on cannabis law. She provides legal advice, guidance and assistance in various realms of the legal cannabis industry and in all stages of the Arizona Department of Health Services Medical Marijuana Program. This includes strategic planning and development, structuring investment and lending relationships, business and financial structure, corporate and real estate transactions, agreements and contracts, compliance with state laws and local requirements, business consulting, preparation and drafting applications, site selection and procurement.

Bianchi is on the forefront of the legal cannabis movement. She is passionate about providing information, education, and facts about cannabis and the cannabis industry, as well as its economic benefits and investment potential. She is an active member of the National Cannabis Industry Association and the National Cannabis Bar Association, and previously served as Co-Chair for the Women Grow Phoenix Chapter.

As Director of Business and Corporate Transactions, Bianchi provides advice and assistance to clients in corporate formation and entity structure, charitable nonprofit organizations, financing, real estate transactions, corporate and residential leasing, acquisition and disposition of real property and businesses, employment/independent contractor, and negotiations.

Directing Rose Law Group’s Estate Planning department allows Bianchi to assist both individuals and businesses with asset protection, business succession, trusts and will creation.

Bianchi is often featured in publications such as Bloomberg, Marijuana Business Daily, Denver Post, Arizona Republic, and numerous other industry and traditional media sources. She was named a “Trendsetter” by Arizona Foothills Magazine, featured in Phoenix Business Journal’s Women & Cannabis and honored by Super Lawyers as a “Southwest Rising Star” and “Top Attorney” in 2016, 2017 and again 2018, an honor reserved for those lawyers who exhibit excellence in practice.

Bianchi earned her degree from Vermont Law School. She received a Bachelor of the Arts Degree in Political Science, with a language emphasis in American Sign Language from the University of Colorado at Boulder. In her free time, Laura enjoys training in mixed martial arts, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Website: RoseLawGroup.com

Q & A with Laura A. Bianchi

What about you or your company gets the most praise from customers?

Our extreme client service, our teamwork and our out of the box thinking. We truly believe it’s an honor to work with our clients, so we go above and beyond to exceed their expectations on every project, big or small.

As for me personally, the greatest compliment someone can give me is, “I don’t act like a lawyer.” Ha! Cannabis is my focus, but at the end of the day, I am a business person. I treat each client’s business as if it were my own. You would be amazed at how much your perspective changes when you first look at each situation from your client’s viewpoint and then use and apply your professional expertise, knowledge and skill set to address or resolve the situation on behalf of your client.

What is something most people don’t know about you or your business?

I am passionate about mixed martial arts. My sanity derives from my daily training and the amazing people I surround myself with. I rarely miss a UFC fight. I love anything Latin – from the music, the food, the beaches and also the men. LOL. I spent a year learning and working on a sailboat in Hawaii (50-foot catamaran).

While it’s true I am a type A personality, much of my discipline, drive and even what some might call OCD was self-taught in response to a restless spirit and incredibly short attention span.

What is your favorite cannabis event? Why?

MJBIZCon in Las Vegas. It’s one of the most structured, well-attended cannabis business events. It is my annual opportunity to spend 3 to 4 solid days networking, meeting with clients, potential clients, investors, industry professionals, executives and more. It is an exceptional opportunity for business development.

What is your favorite cannabis product, strain or flavor?

I work with a variety of clients, products and brands so I won’t select or name one. But I love assisting clients with the design, development, growth and marketing of high-quality products, brands, and concepts. It’s an opportunity for me, even as a lawyer, to be part of the creative process. I love being part of the development, growth and success of something and I take great pride in that process.

Tell us your favorite thing about being a part of the cannabis business community?

I love that we are all part of history in the making. I’m honored to have the opportunity to build, shape, design and develop this special industry from the ground floor because it is such a rarity.

My days are never the same as the cannabis industry brings together people from all over the world, from every profession, skill set, background, ethnicity, religion and gender. There is no other industry in the world like it and I find that fascinating. Plus, it ensures there is never a dull moment.

Who are your business idols and role models? Why?

My role models are the people who are determined, disciplined, and hard-working with a gut-wrenching desire to accomplish their goals. The people who overcome obstacles and adversities and turn them into building blocks for success and achievement. The people who aren’t “normal,” who don’t fit into anyone’s box, who aren’t afraid to stand alone and pave their own path in life. Those are the people I admire and look up to. Those are the people I choose to surround myself with.

What was the greatest obstacle you overcame to succeed?

I have faced numerous obstacles in my life, but from an academic perspective I have always had a short attention span and I’m terrible at taking tests. These shortcomings forced me to find alternative ways to learn, retain information and succeed in school. It often took me two to three times longer than others to prepare for an exam, but it always paid off. I credit my professional and personal success to the adversities and difficulties I had to overcome. Those challenges made me stronger, they drove me, taught me discipline, gave me greater attention to detail and most importantly taught me to never compare myself to anyone else. We all have our own process and journey.

What is in your playlist that would surprise people who know you?

Well, I LOVE many different music genres and hate silence, so I always have music playing. My favorite music and the music you will often hear me playing is Latin. There is a depth and a soulful passion to Latin music that simply moves me. I love it! However, I love and enjoy rap, hip-hop, classical and country music as well, so it just depends on my mood.

What was your last social media post?

A memory of my sister Catherine when she was promoted — yet again — in Muay Thai at her MMA gym in NYC, Class One MMA & Fitness. She is one beautiful bad ass, a brilliant doctor and most certainly my best friend in the world.

What superhero trait would you most like to have?

Ha, I would love to fly!

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