Overview
Douglas Mains specializes in government relations and regulatory law, with a particular emphasis on providing strategic advice to clients regarding public policy, legislation, and regulatory issues. After serving as a Senior Policy Advisor and Deputy Legal Counsel to two Speakers of the Michigan House of Representatives, Mr. Mains has extensive contacts throughout the Capitol and is particularly adept at helping clients positively interact with state agencies, elected officials, and executive and legislative staff.
Mr. Mains also has extensive experience as a litigation attorney, representing a wide array of clients in state and federal courts, as well as in administrative proceedings. Mr. Mains has been appointed a Special Assistant Attorney General on multiple occasions, representing state agencies, legislators, and executive staff in a number of high-profile lawsuits.
Having helped draft the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act and the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, Mr. Mains is recognized as being at the forefront of Michigan’s evolving cannabis and hemp laws. In addition to being frequently asked to speak on legislative and legal developments in those industries, Mr. Mains also regularly advises members of the Michigan Legislature and legislative staff on cannabis-related issues.
- Has helped draft, and served as counsel to, a number of successful state and local ballot initiatives, including Proposal 1 of 2018, which legalized recreational marijuana in Michigan, and the 2018 ballot initiative to authorize medical marijuana facilities in Pontiac
- Has helped draft, and successfully advocated for, a number of state laws and local ordinances related to cannabis, including the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act, the City of Detroit caregiver center ordinance, and the City of Lansing medical marijuana facilities ordinance
- Represents and advises individuals, national and international companies, trade associations, and ballot question committees involved in the cannabis and hemp industries
- Has assisted more than 100 applicants secure state marijuana and hemp licenses in Michigan, including successfully assisting clients in obtaining licenses for every type of medical marijuana facility
- Has advised clients in the cannabis and hemp industries on regulatory issues related to mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, intellectual property licensing, and real estate matters
- Represents clients in various administrative matters before state regulatory bodies, including the Michigan Public Service Commission and Michigan Liquor Control Commission
- Has experience in employee benefits litigation in both ERISA and non-
ERISA cases - Appears on behalf of clients before legislative bodies, including committees of the Michigan Legislature, the Detroit City Council, and the Lansing City Council
Services
Practice Areas
Industries
Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented the Michigan House of Representatives, including several Representatives and House employees, in a $160 million federal lawsuit filed by a former legislator
- Represented the State of Michigan in an appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court regarding the constitutionality of a law mandating employee contributions to the Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System
- Represented the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in employment matters and criminal investigations relating to lead contamination of the City of Flint water system
- Represented the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the criminal trial of two former state representatives
- Represented a skilled trades union in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of repealing the State’s Prevailing Wage Law
- Represented the Michigan Legislature in requesting an advisory opinion from the Michigan Supreme Court on the constitutionality of amending an initiated law during the same legislative session in which the Legislature enacted that law
- Served as primary legal and policy advisor to the House Committees on Commerce, Criminal Justice, Judiciary, and Military and Veterans' Affairs and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Corrections, Judiciary, Military and Veteran's Affairs, and State Police.
- Served as election day legal counsel for a number of state and local candidates, and as counsel in several other electoral matters, including representing a presidential candidate in a statewide recount
Prior Experience
- Dykema Gossett PLLC, Associate
- Michigan House of Representatives, Deputy Legal Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor
Credentials
Education
- Business Transactions
- summa cum laude
- cum laude, Criminal Law Certificate, with honors
Admissions
- Michigan
- Mississippi
Recognition
Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, 2023-2025
- Recognized in practice areas of:
- Government Relations Practice, 2023-2025
- Land Use and Zoning Law, 2024-2025
- Recognized in practice areas of:
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Recognized as a "Go-To Lawyer" for Cannabis, 2024
- Michigan Super Lawyers, Recognized as a Rising Star, 2018, 2020-2024
- State Bar of Michigan Marijuana Law Section, Pioneer Award, 2018
Professional & Community Involvement
State Bar of Michigan
- Marijuana Law Section, Chair, Rules and Lawmaking Committee
The Mississippi Bar
National Cannabis Bar Association
National Cannabis Industry Association
Michigan Cannabis Industry Association
Michigan Appellate Defender Commission
- Appointed by Governor Rick Snyder, 2016 – 2019
- Re-appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, 2019 – Present
Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Public Policy Committee