R. Lance Boldrey
Member
Lance Boldrey guides clients through always-changing, often unpredictable Native American law and cannabis law environments. Although the two areas may seem different, both involve growing economic interests, government relations, complex transactions, and complicated legal and regulatory landscapes.
Fortunately for Lance's clients, those are the areas in which he excels.
A trailblazer who successfully lobbied for regulation of Michigan's cannabis industry and an administrative framework, Lance secured some of the first commercial grow licenses in Michigan while also making Dykema the first large firm in the state to launch a cannabis practice group. Clients quoted in Legal 500 US 2022 note Lance is “‘one of the most brilliant cannabis lawyers in the country and certainly the best within Michigan. He’s pragmatic and an excellent advocate for his clients.”
Lance's Native American law experience encompasses gaming, economic development, and state-tribal relations, and he is one of only a few private practitioners in Michigan representing tribes, developers, banks, lenders, non-tribal businesses, and state and local governments.
“ Cannabis law and Native American law are constantly changing and evolving, and the only way to maneuver through the uncertainty is to focus on the client's business objectives. My unique perspective on how the pieces fit together distinguishes me from other attorneys and allows me to deliver results. ”
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- Duke University, J.D.
- James Madison College and the Honors College at Michigan State University, B.A., with honors
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Bar Admissions
- Michigan, 1995
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Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, 1995
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan, 1995
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit, 1996
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2004
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Named a Leading Lawyer by The Legal 500 United States for Cannabis Law and Native American Law, 2021-2022
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Named a Nationwide Leading Lawyer in Cannabis Law: Eastern United States and Native American Law by Chambers USA, 2016-2022
- Named a "Trailblazer" for Cannabis Law by The National Law Journal, 2020
- Michigan Lawyers Weekly, "Leaders in the Law," 2020
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Named to Cannabis Law Report's "Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers" 2020-2021
- Fellow, Michigan State Bar Foundation, 2015-Present
- Distinguished Brief Award for Best Brief to Michigan Supreme Court, Thomas M. Cooley Law Review, for brief on behalf of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Taxpayers of Michigan Against Casinos v. State of Michigan, 478 Mich. 99; 732 N.W.2d 487, 2007
- Named Lansing's "Lawyer of the Year" for Gaming Law by Best Lawyers®, 2014
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Gaming Law, Cannabis Law, and Native American Law, 2007-Present. Copyright 2018 by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC
- Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the areas of Election, Political & Campaign, Gaming & Casino and Native American Law by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014-2017. Law Bulletin Publishing Company
- Named a Rising Star by Law & Politics, 2009-2010
- Pioneer Award by the Marijuana Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan
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Michigan Association of CPA’s Cannabis Expert Panel
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State Bar of Michigan Cannabis Law Section
- National Cannabis Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association, Sarah T. Hughes Civil Rights Award Committee
- Ingham County Bar Association
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- Trustee of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, presidential appointee, 2003-2014
- Past President and Member, Board of Directors, James Madison College Alumni Association
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Deputy Legal Counsel, Michigan Governor John Engler
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Areas of client focus
Dykema Earns 16 Practice Area Rankings and 29 Individual Rankings in Chambers USA 2023
Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that it received 29 individual attorney…
Lance Boldrey and John Janiszewski will each speak at the State Bar of Michigan Cannabis Law…
What does a cannabis lawyer do?
For episode 1 of A Higher Law, Lance and John answer the question they get at every dinner party…
