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Douglas R. Sargent

Partner
Overview

Douglas R. Sargent is a partner in the Cannabis Law practice group at Greenspoon Marder. Mr. Sargent has a comprehensive understanding of cannabis laws across the U.S. He thoughtfully advises clients on legal and regulatory issues associated with operating within the cannabis industry, including licensing, compliance, regulatory issues, and litigation. Indeed, he has considerable experience litigating in the cannabis space, navigating complex matters unique to the industry. Mr. Sargent frequently writes and comments about the ever-evolving legal landscape for cannabis and its effect on related businesses.

In addition to his cannabis practice, Mr. Sargent has substantial experience in complex commercial litigation and arbitrations in jurisdictions across the country, and represents clients in consumer finance and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) litigation in federal and state courts.

Mr. Sargent regularly represents mortgage lenders, servicers, trusts and other financial institutions in individual and class action lawsuits. These lawsuits often involve claims under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) as well as state law claims for fraud, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty.

Mr. Sargent handles complex litigation matters involving breach of commercial contracts, fraudulent business practices, piercing the corporate veil, and alter-ego liability in federal and state courts as well as in arbitration proceedings. He also has significant experience representing clients in responding to class action and individual lawsuits asserting claims under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Mr. Sargent has obtained decisions in favor of clients in these high-exposure cases, including orders of dismissal, and he regularly consults with clients to develop and strengthen their TCPA compliance programs.

 Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2020
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2015
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 2018
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, 2016
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2007
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, 2013
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, 2013
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, 2016
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, 2016
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, 2016
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2016
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, 2017
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 2018
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, 2018
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, 2018
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, 2018
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, 2018
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, 2019

Bar Admission

  • Illinois, 2006
  • Florida, 2016
  • Michigan, 2017
  • Ohio, 2018

 Education

  • J.D., with honors, University of Michigan Law School, 2006
  • B.S., Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, 2003
    • Dean’s List
Experience

Professional and Community Involvement

  • National Immigrant Justice Center Leadership Board, Former Member
  • Consumer Credit Committee, Chicago Bar Association, Former Vice President
  • Chicago Bar Association, Former Member
  • American Bar Association, Member

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, “Dispensary Ownership in New York: People With Marijuana Convictions To Get A Head Start,” April 28, 2022
  • Speaker, “Growing Use of ADR in Cannabis Disputes,” Chicago Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee Event, April 7, 2022
  • Speaker, Illinois Women in Cannabis 2020 Conference, February 22, 2020
  • Speaker, “The Land of Lincoln (and Weed): An Analysis of Illinois’s Recreational Marijuana Law,” Celesq Attorneys Ed Center Webinar, July 23, 2019
  • Speaker, “What’s Next for CBD? FDA Speaks,” Celesq Attorneys Ed Center Webinar, June 10, 2019
  • Speaker, “Current Landscape of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act,” Chicago Bar Association, October 3, 2018
  • Speaker, “The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act: 2018 Trends and Updates,” The Knowledge Group – Webcast, July 12, 2018
  • Speaker, “Sorting through the telemarketing chaos left by ACA Int’l v. FCC,” Data Protection Leader, July 2018
  • Speaker, “The Rules of Evidence: A Practical Toolkit,” National Business Institute CLE – Naperville, Ill., February 27, 2015
Awards

Recognitions

  •  Crain’s Chicago Business, “ Notable Gen X Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law,” 2021
Publications

Publications

In the News

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