Photo of R. Lance Boldrey

R. Lance Boldrey Member

Areas of Practice

Bar Admissions

  • Michigan, 1995

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

Education

Duke University, J.D.

James Madison College and the Honors College at Michigan State University, B.A.

  • with honors

R. Lance Boldrey is the leader of the Firm's Cannabis Law Practice, representing a wide range of industry participants, from small retail establishments, to large vertically integrated players, to lenders and investors. He specializes in licensing, regulatory matters, and legislative issues, and quarterbacks Dykema's representation on real estate, corporate and M&A work, and other aspects of serving the needs of this rapidly changing industry. Mr. Boldrey's practice also encompasses Indian law, with an emphasis on gaming, economic development, and state-tribal relations. He represents tribes, developers, banks and other non-tribal businesses, as well as state and local governments, and is a frequent speaker on Indian law topics.

Prior to joining Dykema, Mr. Boldrey served as Deputy Legal Counsel to former Michigan Governor John Engler and was responsible for all aspects of the State of Michigan's relations with tribal governments.

Experience

  • Mr. Boldrey has been at the forefront of the development of a licensed and regulated cannabis industry in the State of Michigan. He has been heavily involved in lobbying activities with respect to the State's Medical Marihuana Facilities License Act (MMFLA), particularly with respect to the promulgation of administrative rules. He served on a State-created workgroup and regularly interfaces with State department officials and legislators to advocate for his clients' interests in implementation of both the MMFLA and the State's new Adult Use measure.
  • Mr. Boldrey has represented well in excess of 100 applicants and supplemental applicants for State licensure, assisting in the preparation and shepherding of license applications for every available license type. He counts among his victories the very first commercial grow licenses issued in the State.
  • At the local level, Mr. Boldrey has worked to ensure that his clients' goals are advanced in local ordinances, and has overseen successful and pending local license applications in numerous Michigan municipalities.
  • In addition to government relations and licensing matters, Mr. Boldrey has been involved in cannabis-related capital raises, lending, M&A work, joint venture agreements, licensing agreements, real estate matters (leasing, property acquisition, zoning and permitting), and banking issues. As the leader of the Firm's large and expanding Cannabis team, he can bring the right resources to bear for virtually any client needs.
  • Mr. Boldrey's Indian gaming experience includes transactional work concluding business agreements between consultants, developers, management companies and tribes; negotiating tribal-state gaming compacts; and negotiating intergovernmental agreements involving tribes. In the litigation arena, Mr. Boldrey has been involved in federal and state court tribal gaming matters at the trial and appellate levels, as well as arbitrations.
  • Mr. Boldrey has also assisted state and local governments in navigating complex tribal gaming matters. In addition to serving as counsel to Michigan Governor John Engler, Mr. Boldrey has been retained as special counsel by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb to advise their states on gaming and state-tribal relations.
  • Administrative law experience includes work on tribal fee-to-trust applications, the application of all of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act's exceptions that permit gaming on "after-acquired lands," and approvals of tribal-state gaming compacts.
  • Indian gaming financing work includes representing tribes, banks and  investors  and interacting with the National Indian Gaming Commission to obtain de facto approval of financing agreements. Mr. Boldrey has led or assisted on deals totaling over $950 million.
  • Mr. Boldrey has long been involved in tribal treaty rights matters, serving as lead for the State of Michigan Governor's Office in the formulation of a consent decree governing tribal and state fishing in much of the Great Lakes. He presently represents the Emmet County Lakeshore Association and private businesses and residents defending against claims by a Tribe that a 300+ square mile area of Northern Michigan is today an Indian reservation.
  • Mr. Boldrey has advised tribes and tribal companies on economic development matters. He has also represented utilities, general contractors, hospitals, architects, and other businesses in doing business with Indian tribes.
  • Taxpayers of Michigan Against Casinos v. State of Michigan, 478 Mich. 99; 732 N.W.2d 487 (2007). Upholding validity of amendment process in tribal-state gaming compacts.
  • Taxpayers of Michigan Against Casinos v State of Michigan, 471 Mich. 306; 685 N.W.2d 221 (2004), cert. denied, 543 U.S. 1146 (2005). Upholding validity of Michigan tribal-state gaming compacts and process of enactment.
  • LeRoux v Miller, 465 Mich 594 (2002). Upholding validity of Michigan redistricting plans.
  • Cannabis – A Year Into Adult Use, Michigan Association of CPA’s Michigan Tax Conference, remote
    November 5, 2020
  • Latest Developments in Michigan Adult-Use Rulemaking, 4th Annual Marijuana Law Conference, Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Grand Rapids, Michigan
    October 25, 2019
  • Marijuana in Your Community, Michigan Chamber of Commerce Chamber Day at the Capitol, Lansing, Michigan
    May 21, 2019
  • Cannabis in Michigan and Beyond: What’s New???, Michigan Credit Union League Government Affairs Conference, Lansing, Michigan
    May 1, 2019
  • Marihuana Businesses: What Credit Unions Need to Know, Michigan Credit Union League Annual Conference and Exposition, Traverse City, Michigan
    June 8, 2018
  • Legislative and Rulemaking Update: Status, Key Issues, and the Permanent Rules, CLE International 2nd Annual Cannabis Law Conference, Lansing, Michigan
    April 16, 2018
  • Municipal Regulation of Medical Marihuana, Oakland County Bar Association Municipal Law Committee, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
    February 28, 2018
  • Medical Marijuana Out of the Shadows: A New Michigan Industry, Michigan Credit Union League Annual Conference & Exposition, Grand Rapids, Michigan
    June 8, 2017
  • Next Steps under the Michigan Medical Marijuana Facilities Licensing Act: Rulemaking, Conference Chair, CLE International Michigan Medical Marijuana Conference, Lansing, Michigan
    April 24, 2017
  • The Shifting Boundary Between Tribes and States in Indian Gaming: Compact Issues from the State Perspective, Federal Bar Association, 41st Annual Indian Law Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona
    April 7, 2016
  • Careers in Indian Law, National Native American Law Students Association Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, Arizona
    April 6, 2016
  • Dealing with Offshore Sites, The Third Annual Conference on Legal Issues for Tribal Online Gambling, Scottsdale/Fountain Hills, Arizona
    May 4-5, 2015
  • Michigan v. Bay Mills Indian Community: Implications for Sovereign Immunity, Tribal Gaming and State-Tribal Relations, Law Seminars International Telebriefing
    June 17, 2014
  • The Bay Mills Ruling, Native American Finance Officers Association, Webinar
    May 29, 2014
  • The Bay Mills Case: The Dispute Over Tribal Sovereignty, Native American Finance Officers Association 32nd Annual Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana
    April 14, 2014
  • Electoral Politics and Governance, Moderator, James Madison College 2013 Senior Research Conference, East Lansing, Michigan
    April 19, 2013
  • The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act at 25, University of Michigan School of Law, Native American Law Students Association Law Day, Ann Arbor, Michigan
    April 5, 2013
  • Paths to Casino Gaming, Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys Fall Meeting, Orlando, FL
    November 2, 2012
  • Incentives for Equity Investments in Tribal Member Businesses, Emerging Tribal Economies, Milwaukee, WI
    September 20, 2012
  • Performing Due Diligence on Business Proposals, Michigan Economic Development Corporation Tribal Economic Development Forum, Lansing, MI
    May 17, 2012
  • Indian Gaming 101: Establishing A Tribal Casino, Michigan State University School of Law American Inn of Court, East Lansing, MI
    April 4, 2012
  • Structuring Tribal Businesses, Michigan Economic Development Corporation Tribal Economic Development Forum, Lansing, MI
    May 16, 2011
  • Federal Indian Law & Environmental Policy, 2010 Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Scholar Orientation, Tucson, AZ
    August 2010
  • An Overview of Federal Indian Law & Policy, 2009 Morris K. Udall Foundation Scholar Orientation, Tucson, AZ
    August 2009
  • Tribal Gaming: Beyond the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Global Gaming Expo (G2E), Las Vegas, NV
    November 2007
  • Future of Indian Gaming: Will D.C. Stop the Growth?, Moderator, Global Gaming Expo (G2E), Las Vegas, NV
    November 2006
  • Tribal/State Relations and Negotiations, Moderator, Governors Interstate Indian Council Annual Meeting, Traverse City, MI
    August 2004
  • Legal Issues on Homeland Security, National Governors Association Legal Counsel Seminar, Seattle, WA
    August 2002
  • Michigan Tribal Issues: What Every Municipal Attorney Should Know, Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, Lansing, MI
    March 2002
  • Native American Tribal Issues, National Governors Association Legal Counsel Seminar, Kiawah Island, SC
    September 2001
  • Cigarette Taxation and State-Tribal Environmental Issues, National Governors Association Tribal Issues Briefing, Washington, D.C.
    April 2001
  • The Future of Indian Gaming, North American Gaming Summit, Detroit, MI
    November 2000
  • The Judicial Appointments Process, State Bar of Michigan New Presidents Meeting, Harbor Springs, MI
    June 1999
  • Native American Fishing Rights, James Madison College 30th Anniversary, East Lansing, MI
    January 1997
  • "Advising Cannabis Cos. As Mich. Legalizes Recreational Use"
    November 22, 2019
    Law360
    https://www.law360.com/articles/1222355
  • "Weighing Investments in an Exploding New Industry"
    February 2017
    Marijuana Venture Magazine Vol. 4 No. 2
  • "Cannabis on Tribal Lands: An Alternative to Michigan Regulation of Marijuana"
    August, 2016
    Michigan Bar Journal
  • "Incentives For Joint Ventures Between Michigan's Tribes and Non-Indian Businesses"
    September 2011
    Michigan Economic Development Corporation (available at www.michiganadvantage.org/tribal-resources)
  • "Tribal Business Structures: A Guidebook On Different Structures for Tribal Business Entities"
    September 2011
    Michigan Economic Development Corporation (available at www.michiganadvantage.org/tribal-resources)
  • "The True Test of Tribal-State Cooperation: Resolving Issues of Taxation"
    2010
    Emerging Issues in Tribal-State Relations, Aspatore Books
  • "Proceed with Prudence: Advising Clients Doing Business in Indian Country" (with Jason Hanselman)
    February 2010
    Michigan Bar Journal
  • "After Change in Control, Michigan Supreme Court Reverses Itself in Major Insurance Decision"
    Fall 2009
    State Court Docket Watch
  • "Banking Indian Casinos: What Investors Need To Understand At The Outset"
    September 2008
    Global Gaming Business Magazine Vol.7 No.9

Blog Posts

Memberships & Involvement

  • State Bar of Michigan Marijuana Law Section
  • National Cannabis Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association, Sarah T. Hughes Civil Rights Award Committee
  • Ingham County Bar Association

Community/Civic Activities

  • 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

Named a Leading Lawyer by The Legal 500 United States for Cannabis Law, 2021

Named a Nationwide Leading Lawyer in Cannabis Law: Eastern United States and Native American Law by Chambers USA, 2016-2021

Named a "Trailblazer" for Cannabis Law by The National Law Journal, 2020

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, "Leaders in the Law," 2020

Named to Cannabis Law Report's "Top 200 Cannabis Lawyers"

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