Perkins Coie Adds NCIA Director of Public Policy Andrew J. Kline as Senior Counsel

DENVER (January 12, 2021)—Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Andrew J. Kline has joined the firm in Denver as senior counsel in the firm's Business Litigation practice and Cannabis Law industry group.

Andrew brings a rare combination of public policy, cannabis law, coalition building, and prosecutorial skill to the firm, following decades of service in the highest levels of government and in the private and nonprofit sectors. Drawing on his 14 years of experience as a federal prosecutor and his public service as policy advisor and counsel during Joe Biden's vice presidency and Senate career, Andrew will represent clients in some of the most sensitive areas of law and policy.

"The cannabis industry continues to rapidly evolve and is now a $15 billion industry that includes startups, emerging private companies, and publicly traded corporations, and we're truly excited to welcome Andrew to our growing team," said Barak Cohen, firmwide chair of Perkins Coie's Cannabis industry group. "Andrew has a deep understanding of the cannabis marketplace—legally, politically, scientifically, and business-wise—which we know will greatly benefit our industry practice for clients across the country."

Most recently, Andrew had been leading public policy for the cannabis industry at the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), the industry's preeminent trade organization for the state-legal cannabis industry, and was previously president of the National Association of Cannabis Businesses. Prior to joining the cannabis industry, Andrew held a variety of high-profile positions in government and the private sector. Andrew's experience as a federal prosecutor includes six years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Columbia. He also served as a federal prosecutor for six years in the Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section, with the DOJ's Criminal Division, and in the Enforcement Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission. Andrew has first-chaired over 40 criminal jury trials, 12 bench trials, and argued numerous criminal appeals.

"We're pleased to welcome an attorney of Andrew's experience to the firm and our Denver office as we continue to invest in Denver and the wider region," said Sonny Allison, managing partner of Perkins Coie's Denver office. "Andrew's depth of experience serving the cannabis industry will be a great resource and asset for clients looking to further grow and develop their businesses or who are facing legal and regulatory challenges."

At NCIA, Andrew led public policy development and created and led its Policy Council—the "think tank" for the cannabis industry. Under Andrew's leadership, the Council developed public policies to promote, grow, and protect state-legal cannabis businesses. The Council's work served to inform and influence members of Congress, Executive Branch officials, state legislators and regulators, the media, and industry stakeholders on matters critical to the future of the burgeoning industry.

Andrew earned his J.D. from the Pepperdine University School of Law and his B.S. from Emerson College. He also has an M.P.A. from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Andrew is admitted to the bar in Colorado, California, and Washington, D.C.