Leah Heise

Leah Heise, Esq., serves as Of Counsel and brings over a decade of experience practicing law in regulatory compliance, enforcement, and cannabis business law. She began her career in the federal government, working for the United States Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of General Counsel for Enforcement. In those roles, Leah drafted federal regulations, analyzed legislation, and prosecuted administrative enforcement actions and asset forfeitures in commercial fisheries cases, building her expertise in compliance and government regulation.

Leah earned her J.D. from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, where she served as Vice Dean of Delta Theta Phi and received the American Jurisprudence Award in Bankruptcy. She also holds a B.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park. Licensed to practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia, she applies her legal acumen to help businesses navigate complex regulatory environments and industry standards.

In recent years, Leah’s work has focused on advising emerging cannabis companies, ancillary service providers, and professionals entering the cannabis industry. She assists clients with business formation, compliance, operational structure, and long-term growth strategy—offering the combined perspective of both a General Counsel and a Chief Executive Officer. Her counsel empowers entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses while ensuring adherence to evolving regulatory requirements.

Leah Heise is on a leave of absence while serving as Chief Experience Officer (CXO) at 4Front and Mission Partners, overseeing user experience across multiple brand platforms. Her commitment to education, innovation, and compliance excellence continues to influence both her clients and the broader business community.

Law Office Affiliations

• Of Counsel, Heise & Heise, LLP
• Member, Maryland State Bar Association
• Member, District of Columbia Bar Association

Licensed State

• Maryland
• District of Columbia

Education

• Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Maryland
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  

Awards & Badges