Sativa Rasmussen
PEOPLE

Sativa Rasmussen

Of Counsel
rasmussen.sativa@dorsey.com

Overview

SATIVA ADVISES CLIENTS FROM STARTUPS TO ESTABLISHED MARKET LEADERS ON CORPORATE AND TRANSACTIONAL MATTERS, INTERNATIONALLY AND DOMESTICALLY.

Sativa’s practice involves advising clients on corporate transactions including entity formation, startup funding (debt and equity issuances), general contractual and governance matters, secured debt facilities, internal restructurings/rollups and mergers and acquisitions.

Sativa practice focuses on counseling businesses on a wide range of corporate and regulatory needs. She has extensive experience tracking and navigating the complex and constantly evolving matrix of federal, state and local regulations related to both marijuana and hemp, and frequently speaks on these topics both domestically and internationally.

She regularly assists cannabis businesses at every level of the supply chain identify, understand, and comply with applicable regulatory requirements related to the cultivation, processing, manufacturing, and distribution of cannabis. This includes analyzing risks associated with transporting hemp and its derivatives interstate and internationally, understanding best practices for the manufacture, labeling, and distribution of hemp products, and counseling clients on the developing policies and regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Sativa currently serves as the Immediate Past Chair for the Cannabis Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association, which she founded in 2017.

Education & Admissions

Seattle University School of Law (J.D., 2016), cum laude

Georgetown University Law Center (London Study Abroad Program, 2014)

Washington State University (B.A., Political Science; B.A., Criminal Justice, 2012), magna cum laude

Admissions

  • Washington

News & Resources

News & Press Mentions

Super Lawyers Recognizes 11 Dorsey Seattle Attorneys
Chambers USA 2023 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Super Lawyers Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
Chambers USA 2022 Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers and Practices
Cannabis Group Of The Year: Dorsey & Whitney
Sativa Rasmussen's Volunteer Story with Northwest Justice Project
Dorsey Attorney Sativa Rasmussen's Remarks on Growing Cannabis Practices
Sativa Rasmussen Comments on New Legal Practice Area: Cannabis
Super Lawyers Recognizes Dorsey Lawyers in Seattle
Washington State Passes Bill for Hemp Processor Registration
Dorsey Attorney Sativa Rasmussen Discusses Washington's Hemp Licensing Law
Dorsey Attorney Sativa Rasmussen Discusses Cannabis Regulation
Dorsey Attorney Sativa Rasmussen Comments on Oregon Fires Damage to Cannabis
Dorsey Attorney Sativa Rasmussen Comments on Cannabis Regulatory Evolution
Dorsey Attorney Sativa Rasmussen Elected Chair of WSBA Cannabis Law Section
Dorsey & Whitney Picks Up Cannabis Atty Sativa Rasmussen
Cannabis Career Watch | New Hires and Promotions February 14, 2020
Leading law firm hires veteran cannabis lawyer Sativa Rasmussen
Dorsey Adds Industry Leader Sativa Rasmussen to Its Cannabis Team

Legal Writings

  • New CFIUS Rules Could Have More Effect on Transportation Industry (September 24, 2019)

Select Presentations

  • 4th-6th Annual Northwest Marijuana Law Conference (2016-Present)
  • Washington State Bar Association CLE – Changing Tides: Strides Towards Legalization (12/3/21)
  • Association of Corporate Counsel – Nutrition Law Symposium 2021 - State CBD Rules and Regulations (10/10/21)
  • 33rd Annual ROTH Capital Conference – State of the Cannabis Industry (3/16/21)
  • Washington State Bar Association Food, Beverage, and Hospitality Industry CLE – Cannabis in the Food and Beverage Industry (2/18/21)
  • The Lucrative Business of Marijuana in Washington State – CBD In-Depth Update (12/11/20)
  • AICPA & CIMA Cannabis Industry Online Conference – Commercializing Cannabis (12/8/20)
  • Hemp-Derived CBD in Washington State and Across the Country (6/19/19)
  • Intellectual Property (IP) for the Non-IP Specialist (IP Issues Facing the Cannabis Industry) (9/11/19)
  • Introduction to Transportation Law—Transportation of Hemp Across State Lines (7/9/19)
  • The Business of Marijuana in Washington State (11/29/18)
  • US Border After Cannabis Legalization in Canada (11/20/18)

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Lane Powell PC, Associate (2018-2020)
  • Ashby Law Group PLLC, Associate (2015-2018)
  • Seattle Sounders FC, Legal Extern (2016)
  • Washington State University Student Legal Services, Intern (2010-2012)

Community Involvement

  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity—2019 Pathfinder
  • Washington State Bar Association Cannabis Law Section—Founder and Chair
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity—Mentor (2019-Present)
  • Annual Northwest Marijuana Law Conference--Chair (2016-Present)
     

Accolades

  Chambers USA 2023Chambers 2022Chambers USA 2021 Ranked in Chambers USA 2020

  • Named one of “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” by Chambers USA (Cannabis Law: Western U.S.), 2020-2023
  • Named "Seattle Ones to Watch" in Corporate Governance and Compliance, and Corporate Law by Best Lawyers®, 2024
  • Listed as a "Rising Star" by Washington Super Lawyers, 2021-2023

Contributed 50+ Pro Bono Hours in 2021

  • Contributed more than 50 Challenge pro bono hours, 2021

Diversity & Inclusion 50+ Hours 2020

  • Contributed more than 50+ Diversity hours, 2020
Sativa Rasmussen