Mahal Rufina Montoya

Mahal is a civil rights lawyer with a sharp focus on cannabis law. She began her law practice in 2014, having spent the previous fourteen years as a law clerk, educator, and paralegal specialist for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Her law practice integrates her passion for civil rights and her support for entrepreneurs. She spends her time counseling entrepreneurs about civil rights, business, and corporate law.

Mahal was born in Vallejo, and after a series of family tragedies enrolled herself in the tenth grade at Oakland Technical High School. She was legally emancipated as a minor the following spring. These childhood experiences inspired her to become an attorney and in her law practice, to work on family law issues.

While an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, Mahal was a representative on the Ethnic Studies Fifth Account Committee. This experience taught Mahal the importance of working with entrepreneurs within a framework to achieve desired goals. Mahal is focused on mastering the cannabis regulatory process at the local, state, and federal levels to best serve her clients’ needs.

Mahal received a full academic scholarship to study law at the University of Iowa after earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from UC Berkeley. She was a graduate legal research assistant to Law Professor Adrien Wing with her work writing “Global Critical Race Feminism: An International Reader.” As a woman of color, Mahal has personally experienced implicit and explicit sexism and racism in academia, in the workplace, and in life. Her civil rights practice was born from an instinct to survive and navigate the white male patriarchy that is America.

Civil Rights

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Discrimination, Employment, Fair Housing, Police Misconduct, Privacy Law

Cannabis & Marijuana Law

Marijuana Business Formation, Medical Marijuana

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted

California

State Bar of California

ID Number: 299288

Since 2014

Owner/Principal

Law Offices of Mahal Montoya

2014 - Current

California State University - San Jose State University

M.S. (2010) | Library and Information Science

2008 - 2010

University of Iowa

J.D. (2000) | Law

1997 - 2000

University of California - Berkeley

B.A. (1997) | English

1992 - 1997

National Business Institute (NBI)

Faculty

2017 - Current

Activities: Seminar Presenter

Alameda County Bar Association Volunteer Legal Services Corporation

Volunteer Attorney

2015 - Current

Activities: Landlord/Tenant and Family Law

State Bar of California  # 299288

Member

2014 - Current

California State University - San Jose State University

Alumni

2010 - Current

University of Iowa College of Law

Alumni

2000 - Current

Marijuana Law Top Challenges

NBI (National Business Institute)

May 21, 2019

Marijuana Business Law in California

NBI (National Business Institute)

December 13, 2018

Marijuana Law Top Challenges, National Business Institute (NBI), Video Webcast

May 21, 2019

NBI

How confident are you in your abilities to handle top challenges concerning legalized marijuana? Attorneys, accountants, financial advisors and business owners need to be well-versed in how to overcome difficulties and issues surrounding cannabis laws, rules and regs before clients come knocking. In this essential guide, our experienced faculty will walk through issues, hidden dangers and complexities surrounding marijuana businesses, including property leasing, operational issues, taxation and more. Get the answers you need to field questions concerning legalized marijuana - order today! Course Content Difficulties in Navigating the Crossfire Between State Marijuana Laws and Federal Prohibition Remaining Compliant and Handling Enforcement Actions: Overcoming Current Challenges Advising Clients on the Top Challenges in Running a Marijuana Business Overcoming Difficulties in Property Leasing and Buying/Selling Real Estate Handling Current Legal Complexities Lawful Marijuana Users Face Medical Marijuana Business Taxation: Overcoming Current Difficulties Ethical Considerations for Practicing Marijuana Law

Marijuana Business Law in California, National Business Institute (NBI), San Luis Obispo, CA

December 13, 2018

NBI

The legalization of marijuana has created business opportunities, but it has also created many questions and uncertainties for professionals advising businesses due to the position of the federal government. What are possible federal responses to legalized cannabis? What types of businesses does the law allow, and how does a potential business owner obtain a permit? When are you potentially violating federal law by merely assisting a client? Learn the answers to these questions and more - order today! Course Content Federal Responses to California Marijuana Law Banking and Financing for the Marijuana Industry Marijuana Businesses Law in California Obtaining a California Cannabis Business License Legal Best Practices for Marijuana Product Packaging and Testing Valuation Issues as Related to Dispensaries California Marijuana Taxation: The Latest Rules Ethics

Recreational Marijuana Business Law in California, National Business Institute (NBI), Fresno, CA

August 22, 2018

NBI

Recent legislation and initiatives are paving the way for many new business opportunities in the cannabis industry. It has also created many questions and uncertainties for professionals advising these new businesses due to the position of the federal government. What are possible federal responses to legalized cannabis? What types of businesses does the law allow, and how does a potential business owner obtain a permit? When are you potentially violating federal law by merely assisting a client? Learn the answers to these questions and more - order today! Course Content Federal Responses to California Marijuana Law California Marijuana Taxation: The Latest Rules Recreational Marijuana Businesses Law in California Obtaining a California Cannabis Business License Legal Best Practices for Marijuana Product Packaging and Testing Banking and Financing for the Marijuana Industry Ethics

Cannabis Business Law in California, National Business Institute (NBI), San Jose, CA

December 14, 2017

NBI

Recent legislation and initiatives are paving the way for many new business opportunities in the cannabis industry. It has also created many questions and uncertainties for professionals advising these new businesses due to the position of the federal government. What are possible federal responses to legalized cannabis? What types of businesses does the law allow, and how does a potential business owner obtain a permit? When are you potentially violating federal law by merely assisting a client? Learn the answers to these questions and more - order today! Course Content Ethics Federal Responses to California Cannabis Law Recreational Cannabis Businesses Law in California Obtaining a California Cannabis Business License Legal Best Practices for Cannabis Product Packaging and Testing California Cannabis Taxation: The Latest Rules