Big Law Life #33: From Associate to Practice Group Leader: Lessons from Cannabis Law Trailblazer Sarah Blitz
Aug 14, 2024
Sarah Blitz, a senior associate and co-founder of the Cannabis Industry Team at Sheppard Mullin, shares her fascinating journey from law school to becoming a cannabis law leader. She discusses the challenges of building a nontraditional practice and emphasizes the importance of aligning personal passions with professional goals. Sarah offers insights into navigating market trends, client needs, and the ethical considerations of cannabis law. Her story showcases how entrepreneurial thinking can redefine a career in Big Law, providing guidance for associates eager to carve out their own path.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
From DA Clerkship To Litigator
- Sarah describes moving from UC Hastings and a DA clerkship into Sheppard Mullin and leaning into litigation training.
- She recounts discovering her interests (food, counterculture, concerts) and joining the firm's food & beverage team as lead associate.
Spot Trends, Build Internal Bridges
- Sarah noticed legalization trends and collected internal firm data to build a business case for a cannabis team.
- She connected corporate, IP, and regulatory work to show cross-practice client opportunities.
Personal Care Sparked Professional Work
- Sarah recounts helping a family friend with cancer obtain cannabis for nausea, linking personal compassion to professional motivation.
- That experience reinforced the human and medical value driving her work in cannabis law.