Joshua Horn of Fox Rothschild

Joshua Horn, Fox Rothschild

Horn serves as co-chair of the cannabis law group at Fox Rothschild and has helped build what is now one of the nation's largest and most active cannabis law practices, with 64 attorneys coast to coast and strong presences in all of the important cannabis markets. He is a recognized leader in identifying and structuring services for the burgeoning cannabis industry, from corporate, banking and finance advice to litigation and regulatory matters and tax guidance. In spring 2018, Philadelphia City Council asked Horn to testify when it needed to understand the employment law implications of legalized medical marijuana. He is now consulting with the city council as issues arise regarding the intersection of cannabis and employment law.

Horn helps related businesses secure integral licenses and remain compliant with this still-developing area of law. He also leverages his experience with land use planning, regulatory compliance and community and government relations to help major cannabis companies penetrate highly coveted Pennsylvania medical marijuana markets and obtain nuanced licenses in the sector.

Beyond Pennsylvania, he has represented clients in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland and Ohio, helping them navigate compliance issues as well as obtain coveted licenses in their respective markets. Recently, Horn played leading roles on the Fox team that represented the seller in the U.S. cannabis industry's largest acquisition deal to date—an all-stock transaction valued at $682 million.

What career path would you have pursued if you weren't a lawyer?

That is hard to say because I always gravitated to the law. Nonetheless, I think that I would have leaned toward a career that involved the publicly traded markets; maybe investment banking or stock trading.

Name a mentor or someone you admire.

I have had two mentors and people that I admire greatly; both of whom I am proud to call my partners: Abe Reich and Scott Vernick.

What is the best advice you ever received?

Scott Vernick taught me two valuable work-life pieces of advice that help frame my mindset as a lawyer. First, you may not always win your cases, but never let your opponent outwork you. Second, you can always delegate a task, but you can never delegate a responsibility.

In 50 words or less, what does the legal profession need to do to prepare the next generation of lawyers?

I think that seasoned lawyers need to do a better job of educating the next generation that, to be successful in the law, you have to be committed to work more than nine to five, Monday through Friday. Plus, the next generation has to be taught to see the law as a career, not a job. Those who follow the latter mindset will not be as successful in the long-run.

What's the one piece of advice would you give someone when dealing with a crisis?

Stay calm, focus on the task at hand, and execute to the best of your ability.