Rachel K. Gillette, Attorney

As Colorado continues to lead the nation in the evolving landscape of cannabis and hemp, businesses operating in this rapidly developing industry face a unique set of complex legal, regulatory, and tax challenges. Navigating this intricate environment requires specialized legal expertise from attorneys who are not only well-versed in general business law but also possess an in-depth understanding of the nuances specific to the cannabis sector. For many in Colorado's cannabis community, Rachel K. Gillette, a distinguished attorney and partner at Holland & Hart LLP in Denver, stands out as a preeminent legal authority. With over fifteen years of experience at the vanguard of the marijuana industry, Rachel is dedicated to helping clients proactively plan, implement strategies, and capitalize on strategic business opportunities in this dynamic field.

Rachel K. Gillette has established herself as a national leader in cannabis law, leveraging her extensive experience to guide clients through the establishment, expansion, and protection of their businesses. Her clientele ranges from individual entrepreneurs and investors to industry start-ups and publicly traded companies with operations in one or multiple states across cannabis, hemp, natural medicine, and ancillary businesses. She is known for her ability to distill complex and often overwhelming information into prioritized plans of action, offering pragmatic and industry-savvy counsel to domestic and international entities exploring cannabis business opportunities.

Beyond her advisory role, Rachel vigorously protects her clients' interests in various complex business matters, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, tax issues, and litigation support. She is particularly adept at counseling companies on IRC §280E strategies—a critical tax challenge for cannabis businesses—and negotiating tax controversies and collection matters with the IRS and other state and local tax authorities. For Coloradans in the cannabis and hemp industries, Rachel K. Gillette offers an unparalleled blend of legal acumen, strategic advice, and dedicated advocacy.

Rachel K. Gillette practices at Holland & Hart LLP, a prominent law firm with offices conveniently located in downtown Denver, Colorado. Her office is situated at 555 17th St UNIT 3200, Denver, CO 80202, USA. This central location in the city's financial and business district ensures excellent accessibility for clients throughout the Denver metropolitan area and the wider Colorado region, particularly those involved in the cannabis and hemp industries.

The 17th Street address benefits from Denver’s robust public transportation network. The 16th Street MallRide, a free shuttle service, operates just a short walk away, providing seamless connections to various RTD bus routes and light rail stations. This makes it convenient for clients traveling from different parts of Denver, as well as from surrounding communities and cultivation centers across Colorado. For those driving, numerous parking garages are available in the immediate vicinity, offering convenient options for your visit. The firm’s presence within a prestigious high-rise office building provides a professional and secure environment for discussing sensitive legal matters, reflecting Holland & Hart's commitment to serving their clients effectively and discreetly.

Rachel K. Gillette's practice at Holland & Hart LLP is highly specialized, focusing on the unique legal and regulatory landscape of the cannabis and hemp industries, combined with deep expertise in tax law. Her services are designed to address the comprehensive needs of businesses operating in this evolving sector.

Her primary service areas include:

• Cannabis and Hemp Business Law: Guiding clients through the establishment, expansion, and protection of their cannabis, hemp, CBD, and other novel cannabinoid businesses. This includes:

  • Business licensing and permitting at state and local levels.

  • Regulatory compliance advice and strategy development.

  • Corporate formation, governance, and general business law.

  • Contract drafting and review for industry-specific agreements.

  • Mergers, acquisitions, and other transactional matters within the cannabis space.

  • Guidance on scaling businesses into multiple jurisdictions.

  • Counsel for entrepreneurs, investors, start-ups, and publicly traded companies in the industry.

• Cannabis Tax Law and Controversy: Providing expert counsel on the complex tax issues facing the cannabis industry, including:

  • Strategies for navigating IRC §280E, which disallows ordinary business deductions for cannabis businesses.

  • Representation in tax audits, deficiency assessments, and collection matters with the IRS.

  • Negotiating state and local tax controversies.

  • U.S. Tax Court litigation experience for unique and complex cannabis tax matters.

  • Assisting with sales, use, and employment tax matters, trust fund tax penalty assessments, penalty abatements, and levy releases.

• Litigation Support and Expert Witness Services: Providing litigation support for cannabis-related disputes and serving as an expert witness on legal, tax, and regulatory issues involving hemp, marijuana, CBD, and other novel cannabinoids.

• Advocacy and Policy Influence: As a former Executive Director of Colorado NORML and a founding member of Women Grow and the National Cannabis Bar Association, Rachel is also an advocate committed to helping change laws and perceptions relating to cannabis, ensuring fair taxation and regulation for state-licensed businesses. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Cannabis Law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Rachel K. Gillette’s professional profile is distinguished by numerous features and highlights that firmly establish her as a leading attorney in the cannabis and tax law sectors, both in Colorado and nationally:

• Pioneering Cannabis Law Expert: She is among the first attorneys in the nation to dedicate her practice to the cannabis industry, beginning in 2010. This makes her one of the most experienced and knowledgeable lawyers in this niche.

• Deep Tax Controversy Expertise: Rachel is highly proficient in navigating IRC §280E challenges and has successfully represented clients before various IRS divisions (Examinations, Appeals, and Collections) and in U.S. Tax Court litigation, preventing hundreds of thousands of dollars in incorrectly assessed taxes, interest, and penalties.

• Nationally Recognized: Consistently recognized by Chambers USA for Cannabis Law: Western United States (Band 1, 7 Years Ranked as of 2025) and listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Tax Law (2022-2025). Her expertise is frequently cited in publications and at industry conferences.

• Strategic Advisor and Pragmatic Counsel: Clients value her ability to distill complex, often overwhelming information into a prioritized plan of action and provide pragmatic, industry-savvy counsel for evaluating business opportunities.

• Holistic Industry Support: She advises clients across the entire cannabis supply chain, from entrepreneurs and investors to start-ups and publicly traded companies, covering cannabis, hemp, natural medicine, and ancillary businesses.

• Advocate and Educator: Beyond her legal practice, Rachel has been actively involved in shaping cannabis policy as a former Executive Director of Colorado NORML and an adjunct professor of cannabis law, demonstrating her commitment to the industry's responsible development.

• Expert Witness: Her expertise extends to serving as an expert witness on legal, tax, and regulatory issues involving hemp, marijuana, CBD, and other novel cannabinoids.

• Strong Ethical Stance: As a speaker, she addresses critical ethical issues confronting cannabis practitioners, demonstrating a commitment to professional integrity in a complex and evolving field.

In the highly specialized and regulated legal field of cannabis and tax law, law firms and attorneys of Rachel K. Gillette’s caliber typically do not offer traditional "promotions" in the consumer retail sense. Their value lies in their unparalleled expertise, strategic guidance, and proven results for complex business and tax matters. However, they do provide a crucial "offer" that is invaluable to prospective clients in Colorado: a professional consultation.

While explicitly advertised "free consultations" may not be the standard for an attorney of her prominence, it is common practice for interested businesses and individuals to schedule an initial meeting or call to discuss their specific needs. During this consultation, you can expect to:

• Confidently discuss your cannabis or hemp business's legal or tax challenges with a leading expert in the field.

• Receive an initial assessment of your situation and potential legal pathways.

• Gain clarity on the complex regulatory and tax landscape impacting your operations.

• Understand the firm's approach, fee structures, and how they would tailor their services to your unique business needs.

This initial engagement is a vital step for any Colorado cannabis or hemp business to explore how Rachel K. Gillette and Holland & Hart LLP can provide the sophisticated legal and strategic advice necessary to navigate the industry successfully. It is recommended to contact her office directly to inquire about scheduling such a consultation.

For businesses and individuals in Colorado's cannabis and hemp industries seeking specialized legal and tax counsel, Rachel K. Gillette can be reached at Holland & Hart LLP's Denver office.

• Address: 555 17th St UNIT 3200, Denver, CO 80202, USA

• Phone: (303) 295-8241

• Mobile Phone: +1 303-295-8241 (This appears to be her direct contact number at the firm.)

• Website: For comprehensive information about Rachel K. Gillette, her practice areas, publications, speaking engagements, and Holland & Hart LLP's full range of services, you can visit the firm's official website, typically hollandhart.com, and navigate to her individual attorney profile (hollandhart.com/rkgillette).

For Colorado businesses and entrepreneurs operating within the rapidly expanding and complex cannabis and hemp industries, Rachel K. Gillette stands as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended legal resource. Her strategic location in downtown Denver at 555 17th St UNIT 3200 ensures convenient access for clients across the state, providing essential expertise right in our backyard.

What truly makes Rachel K. Gillette ideal for Colorado locals is her unparalleled specialization and extensive experience in cannabis and tax law. As a pioneer in this niche legal field with over 15 years of dedicated practice, she offers comprehensive guidance on everything from licensing and regulatory compliance to intricate IRC §280E tax strategies and M&A. Her deep understanding of both state and federal regulations, coupled with her active role as an advocate and educator within the industry, ensures that Colorado businesses receive not just legal advice, but strategic foresight. For any local cannabis or hemp entity seeking a top-tier attorney who understands their unique challenges and can effectively navigate this evolving legal landscape to protect and grow their business, Rachel K. Gillette offers the invaluable expertise and unwavering commitment needed for success.