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Claire Wells Hanson

Member

Claire Wells Hanson is a complex commercial litigator focusing on contractual and real estate disputes, class action defense, and business torts. As the leader of the firm’s Cannabis Litigation Team, she stands out among industry practitioners due to her unique background and skill set. Claire spent more than a decade practicing in the most sophisticated legal markets in the country before she started tackling disputes for hemp and marijuana clients. Thus, she is well equipped to handle litigation or arbitration for any business or owners, of any contract or claims.

Claire has vast experience helping clients navigate disputes in nearly every area of the law, including securities fraud, landlord/tenant, environment and natural resources, intellectual property and licensing, trade secrets, product liability, and property owner/manager disputes. She has defended class actions in many different industries and venues. Most of her cases involve claims for breach of contract, fraud, business torts, and/or violations of real estate, securities, or cannabis statutes.

Claire’s litigation record exemplifies her practical, nimble, and strategic approach to resolving disputes. She has tried cases—and won—in federal and state court. She has argued successfully in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. She’s won many cases and claims on summary judgment and other dispositive motions, avoiding the stress and expense of trial for her clients. And she has a long history of success with alternative dispute resolution measures, including mediation and arbitration.

Claire serves as the Member in Charge of the firm’s Denver office, a newly built-out space just around the corner from Union Station.

Industries

Education

J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School, Nashville, Tennessee
B.S., magna cum laude, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, Psychology

Recognitions

Selected by the Denver Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 winner (2024)

National Law Journal Cannabis Trailblazer 2022

Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch, Environmental Law (2022), Commercial Litigation (2021-2022)

State Bar Licenses

Colorado, New York

Court Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
U.S. District Ct, District of Colorado
U.S. District Ct., E.D. of Michigan
U.S. District Ct., S.D. of New York
U.S. District Ct., E.D. of New York
  • Succeeded in defending vertically integrated marijuana business in ownership and license dispute, including first-chairing the 8 day trial. Our successful defense strategy required showing that the plaintiff’s investment scheme was illegal under the marijuana regulations in place at the time, which required cross-examining two cannabis attorneys.
  • Successfully defended state-regulated marijuana business from landlord’s forcible entry and detainer (eviction) action.
  • Represented marijuana licensee in license revocation proceedings in Pueblo, Colorado. Succeeded in preventing the license revocation.
  • Represented hemp licensee producing hemp derived delta-8 THC in MED investigation.
  • Defended against securities fraud claims brought by investors in a CBD hemp venture.
  • Represented a large group of investors in a Ponzi scheme. Represented them in various court actions, SEC investigation and Colorado Division of Securities investigation.
  • Prosecuted securities fraud and other claims on behalf of investor in a marijuana technology business.
  • Assisted cannabis consultant in enforcing his intellectual property rights, both through litigation and protections in consulting agreement.
  • Corporate counsel to marijuana dispensary and consumption lounge in West Hollywood, California.

Speaking Engagements

  • “Cannabis Cash Flow: The Fed’s Impact on Opportunities and Challenges in Macro-Economic Trends,” Panel Moderator, Benzinga Capital Conference, October 2024
  • “Avoiding and Preventing Securities Fraud Claims,” Speaker at the Women in Cannabis Expo, June 2022
  • “Securities Fraud in the Cannabis Industry,” Lecturer at University of Denver Sturm College of Law, March 2022
  • “Practical Tips for Defending Depositions: Speaking Objections and Preserving Objections for Trial,” PEAK Training, April 2019

The Clark Hill approach is equally pragmatic and growth-minded, which is why we understand our clients’ toughest business challenges. Our multidisciplinary, global team of advisors focuses on smart legal solutions, delivered simply.

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