
Bio
Mr. Schafer, an attorney with Lippes Mathias’ Corporate Practice Team, assists clients with mergers & acquisitions, business formation and structuring, licensing, contract review and other general matters. With prior experience as a legal intern with the United States Tennis Association and as a former NCAA Division I athlete, coach, and administrator, he is also a member of the firm’s Sports, Entertainment & Hospitality Team. Prior to joining Lippes Mathias, Mr. Schafer gained extensive experience in commercial litigation, including breach of contract, antitrust, business disputes, cannabis, class action defense, and employment disputes.
As a member of the firm’s Cannabis Practice Team, Mr. Schafer advises clients on the full spectrum of New York State's cannabis program (medical, cannabinoid hemp, and adult-use) and has prepared adult-use applications for conditional cultivation, processing, and retail dispensary applicants. He also negotiates and drafts agreements for both plant-touching and non-plant-touching businesses and regularly consults on the ever-changing regulatory landscape facing cannabis entrepreneurs in New York and across the country.
Articles & Publications
- Author, "Empire State Cannabis Update: Roadmap for Navigating the Rules of the Adult-Use Market," CannaBuff, October 2022
- Author, "3 Conditional Market Lessons for Future Applicants," CannaBuff, July 2022
- Author, "Licensing Prep: 4(20) Steps Prospective Applicants Can Take Right Now," CannaBuff, March 2022
- Author, "The Blunt Reality of Trademark Registration for Cannabis Marks," CannaBuff. January 2022
- Author, NCAA Division I Transfers “are now basically screwed”: The Battle Against the NCAA’s Year in Residence Rule in the Seventh Circuit, 66 Buff. L. R. 481, 2018
- Author, Hey, NCAA Series, UB Law Sports Forum
Related Content
View All
In The news
Joseph W. Schafer Appears on WGRZ Discussing The Complicated NYS Recreational Cannabis Market
March 22, 2023

Client Alerts
FDA Regulation of CBD is TBD
March 17, 2023

Events
NYS Adult-Use Cannabis Licensing Series: Emerging Market Trends and the Importance of Marketing for Retailers | Tuesday, March 14, 2023
February 28, 2023

Press Releases
Joseph W. Schafer Speaks on Cannabis Industry Panel at Buffalo Startup Weekend
February 10, 2023

In The news
Joseph W. Schafer Featured in RBJ Article "Robust Compliance, Security Planning Nonnegotiable for Licensed Cannabis Businesses"
January 20, 2023

In The news
Joseph W. Schafer Featured on Podcast Episode "The New York Cannabis Clock Is Ticking"
January 11, 2023

Corporate Blog
Empire State Cannabis Update: NYS Fights to Modify Injunction Blocking Conditional Dispensary Licensing
January 9, 2023

In The news
Joseph W. Schafer Appears on WGRZ Town Hall Discussing Marijuana Retail Licenses
November 22, 2022