Cole focuses his practice on licensing, regulatory, and transactional matters for businesses operating in cannabis, hospitality, liquor, and other highly regulated industries. Known for his practical, business-minded approach, he helps clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks with clarity and confidence.
In the cannabis sector, Cole has advised companies of all sizes, with a particular focus on guiding operators from licensure to operations. Over the course of his career, he has played a key role in securing more than 66 cannabis licenses in limited-license states, including most recently, one of just 22 issued in Florida.
From 2022 to 2024, Cole served as a founding member and counsel to Dynamic Jack, a licensed cannabis cultivation and manufacturing company in New Mexico. That venture has since evolved into Dynamic Jane, a brand developing hemp-infused products, particularly beverages. He is also a part-owner of a craft grow license in Illinois and continues to advise the company on legal, regulatory, and strategic matters—giving him firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities cannabis businesses face at every stage.
In addition to his cannabis work, Cole has substantial experience navigating licensing and compliance requirements for food, alcohol, and hospitality businesses. As part owner of a jazz bar in Chicago, Dorian’s Through The Record Shop, Cole has a real-world understanding of the regulatory hurdles businesses in the hospitality industry face. He regularly advises clients on securing retail licenses and meeting local, state, and federal regulatory obligations.
Cole’s legal practice is informed by a strong public policy background. He served on Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s 2015 Transition Committee and later as Assistant Counsel to the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives during the 2018 legislative session, where he worked on issues involving business law, civil and municipal affairs, and state governance.
Progressive, agile, and business-minded, Cole is deeply attuned to the legal complexities of highly regulated and rapidly evolving industries—and committed to helping clients succeed within them.