Ian Stewart, Esq.
Ian Stewart has defended complex litigation in state and federal courts for more than 20 years with a focus on product liability, complex general casualty, cannabis law, transportation and marine claims, data privacy and security, and intellectual property litigation. Ian is co-chair of the firm’s Cannabis Law practice and a member of the Information Governance Leadership Committee.
Ian is committed to client communication and cost-effective litigation management. He is a proponent of efficient claim resolution and Legal Project Management. Ian goes out of his way to ensure that he understands his clients’ business and goals so that an agreed strategy can be identified and implemented at the outset of any litigated matter.
Ian has successfully defended a variety of product liability matters involving products manufactured in the United States and abroad. These include recreational vehicles, industrial machinery, drugs and medical devices, nutritional supplements, cannabis products, amusement park rides, sporting goods and consumer products. Ian regularly defends consumer class actions involving product liability, warranty and unfair competition issues. He is founder and former national chair of the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance’s Product Liability Committee.
Ian frequently defends security and premises liability matters for commercial property owners, hotels, restaurants and retailers. He has represented fleet owners, including motor carriers, armored trucks and taxi/limousine companies. Ian also regularly defends maritime/marine claims, as well as general liability matters involving sports and school-related risks.
As co-chair of the firm’s Cannabis Law practice, Ian leverages his more than 20 years of legal experience to help clients navigate the challenging new risk management, business practices and insurance landscape presented by the rapidly developing area of Cannabis and Hemp Law. Ian works with licensed cannabis operators to comply with their obligations under the law and to develop risk management best practices. He advises companies on the rapidly evolving area of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) and the interplay with U.S. food and drug laws. Ian regularly advises insurance companies on cannabis-related underwriting practices and the development of new policy forms. He also works with financial institutions and professional services firms on best practices for operating in a challenging regulatory environment.
Ian is chair of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) Finance and Insurance Committee, vice chair of the California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA) Insurance Committee, and a member of the advisory board of the National Native American Cannabis Association. He is one of MG Magazine’s “30 Powerful Cannabis Attorneys You Should Know,” received a 2019 Readers’ Choice Award by JD Supra for his publication on cannabis consumer class actions, and received National Law Review’s award as “Go-To Thought Leader 2018” for his publications on cannabis law.