EMERGING ISSUES TRACK: Navigating Cannabis Lending Legalities (CLE 1.5)

AVP, Government Housing Finance, Mortgage Bankers Association

Kelleher is the Associate Vice President of Housing Finance Policy at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), where he leads the execution of MBA’s residential government housing policy and regulatory advocacy priorities. In this role, Kelleher develops and strengthens important agency and industry relationships and is the lead staff representative for the Residential Board of Governors. Prior to this role, Kelleher served as Director of Loan Administration Policy, where he led MBA’s legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts related to residential loan administration - servicing - policy. In this capacity, Kelleher collaborated with federal housing regulators, investors, and guarantors to enhance, streamline, and align industry servicing standards. Prior to joining MBA, Kelleher served as Director of Public Policy at Rocket Companies, overseeing external relations and mortgage policy advocacy, with a particular emphasis on mortgage servicing.

Co-Founder & Managing Member, MadisonJay Solutions

A lawyer by training and Cofounder of MadisonJay Solutions, Cooper makes it MadisonJay’s mission to provide practical, actionable information and advice to its clients, leaders in the state-regulated cannabis and hemp cannabinoid industries. He draws on his prior regulatory and securities law practices, as well as his work in the beverage alcohol industry, to help MadisonJay’s clients navigate the regulatory thicket. Cooper publishes and speaks frequently on cannabis regulation, and is the Co-Chair of Policy for the National Cannabis Industry Association. Cooper previously Chaired the National Cannabis Industry Association’s State Regulations Committee. After graduating Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Cooper began his career serving as a law clerk to a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. After his clerkship, Cooper spent more than five years litigating at Cravath, Swaine and Moore LLP, frequently named one of the nation’s best law firms. At Cravath, Cooper counseled numerous Fortune 500 companies on their compliance programs and defended them before a myriad of regulatory agencies. He also frequently provided regulatory risk assessments for mergers and financing deals. Though his broad practice spanned the gamut of industries, Cooper advised companies that operate in a variety of highly regulated spaces including pharmaceuticals, banking, and gaming. After Cravath, Cooper joined MHW, Ltd., the leading provider of solutions for alcohol producers. As General Counsel of MHW, Cooper brought the same creative problem-solving ethos to bear.

Partner, Bradley

As co-chair of Bradley’s Cannabis Industry team, Whitt Steineker recognizes the critical need for legal counsel in the cannabis industry. Given the conflicting and evolving federal and state laws, businesses face numerous legal challenges, including those providing services to cannabis companies. Thus, legal guidance is essential to navigate this complex legal landscape. Whitt focuses on advising businesses regarding the shifting legal status of cannabis in the U.S. and internationally. He helps companies comply with complex state and federal laws in legalized jurisdictions. Whitt understands the unique legal and business issues impacting cannabis and hemp companies. He keeps abreast of industry trends and legislative developments, providing proactive and timely advice. With Bradley’s multidisciplinary Cannabis Industry team, he aids clients in identifying risks and opportunities for growth. His extensive experience covers banking, regulatory compliance, licensing, intellectual property, taxation, corporate transactions, and dispute resolution. Whitt is one of the leading voices in the cannabis bar. He has presented on cannabis issues at conferences around the country. His work has been featured in the National Law Journal, Law360, and the Westlaw Journal. And he has been quoted in an array of legal and mainstream publications, from Law360 and Super Lawyers to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Associated Press. Additionally, he is the founder and co-editor of Bradley’s Budding Trends blog, which features topics including major cannabis law developments in adult, medicinal, and agricultural use, as well as issues surrounding banking, insurance, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, taxation, and more. Prior to joining the firm, Whitt was an associate at Cravath, Swaine and Moore LLP in New York, where he gained experience in general commercial, antitrust, securities, professional liability, and labor and employment matters as a member of the litigation department.