Manatt, Phelps & Phillips has become the latest Big Law firm to publicly join the green rush, announcing Monday that it has formally launched a cannabis-focused practice team.

The 45-member group, spanning a dozen practice areas, will be led by Los Angeles-based real estate partner Anita Sabine.

Sabine said the firm has represented clients in the cannabis space for nearly a decade, but the recent hire of former financial regulator Jan Owen helped spur the announcement of the group's formation. Owen, who will serve as senior adviser to the firm's financial services group, worked on cannabis banking issues as the former commissioner of the California Department of Business Oversight.