Partner
Drew S.
Gottlieb
Drew Gottlieb’s practice focuses on corporate, administrative and regulatory matters primarily within the cannabis industry in which he has been assisting clients since 2009. His expertise navigating the state and local licensing frameworks for cannabis and hemp within Colorado has been invaluable to both corporate and individual clients seeking entry, growth, and ongoing compliance. His clients range from large-scale, vertically integrated companies to small businesses and individuals participating in the cannabis industry as cultivators, retailers, product manufacturers, owners, landlords, financiers, and employees. Likewise, Mr. Gottlieb assists corporate clients with liquor license matters in various local jurisdictions across Colorado. Regardless of the industry, Mr. Gottlieb works closely with his clients to develop legal strategies that aid in long-term business development, whether its start-up formation, corporate governance, contract negotiations, real estate transactions, asset sales, stock issuances, or mergers and acquisitions. He has assisted hundreds of clients with countless marijuana and liquor license applications for new licenses, ownership transfers, premises modifications, location transfers, and renewals. He stays actively involved with state and local regulatory agencies during the frequent rulemaking and legislative updates that affect the cannabis industry.
Mr. Gottlieb’s practice is rooted in a variety of work and life experience, including several roles in the legal community, from corporate to government to non-profit. Prior to establishing his private practice in 2009, he clerked in the Office of General Counsel for the United States Forest Service where he dealt with real property issues, environmental protection, and employment law. Mr. Gottlieb clerked at CH2M-Hill OMI where he gained corporate operations, federal contracting, and government procurement experience. He previously volunteered as an attorney at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, dealing extensively with issues affecting non-profit organizations. He has provided management services in the music industry, as well as owned and managed a restaurant and music venue in Denver.
Mr. Gottlieb is a native of Mobile, Alabama. He earned a B.A. in English from Auburn University. During college, he worked in the summer intern program in Washington, D.C. in the office of then-Senator Jeff Sessions. After moving to Colorado, he attended University of Denver where he earned his J.D. at Sturm College of Law in 2007. He spends his free time hiking, camping, fishing, and enjoying live music.
EDUCATION & ADMISSIONS
JURIS DOCTOR
UNIVERSITY OF DENVER, STURM COLLEGE OF LAW, 2007
BACHELOR OF ARTS
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, 2001
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
2009
Colorado
2008
Oklahoma
2021
Professional Associations
American, Colorado, and Denver Bar Associations
Honors & Awards
Strum College of Law, University of Denver, Insurance Award
Sturm College of Law, University of Denver, Merit and Law Scholarships

Drew’s Blog

Updated Client Alert: Current State of Colorado Eviction Procedure and Other Changes to Landlord-Tenant Law Effective October 4, 2021.
As of October 4, 2021, the 30-day notice requirement for filing a residential eviction suit for failure to pay rent has expired and Governor Polis has stated that he does not intend to renew that protection. Governor Polis had previously extended Executive Orders D...

Client Alert: Summary of New Coronavirus Relief Bill
Authors: Kathleen Alt and Aisha I. May In March 2020, the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law in order to provide both individuals and businesses with relief. On December 21, 2020, Congress approved the second...

“Workouts & Workarounds” in Commercial Real Estate
On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, managing partner, Giovanni Ruscitti, moderated a panel on "Workouts and Workarounds" within the Boulder Valley commercial real estate industry. This session was part of BizWest's annual Boulder Valley Real Estate Conference. Joining him...
In the News
Merritt Named Co-Chair of the Firm’s Trusts, Estates, Probate, and Tax Practice
Shelly Merritt, a partner at Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, has been named the co-chair of the Firm's Trust, Estates, Probate, and Tax Practice. Merritt has over thirty years of experience representing individuals, families, closely-held businesses, executives, and...
BHGR Introduces the Women’s Leadership Committee
Just in time for Women's History Month, Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP formed and formally introduced the BHGR Women's Leadership Committee. The Women's Leadership Committee is comprised of sixteen female attorneys and was established to recognize and cultivate a...
BHGR Partnership Expands with 2023 Elections
The Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti partnership gathered at our Boulder office on January 31, 2023. In that meeting, attorneys Geoff Williamson and Benjamin Wilson were elected Equity Partners, and Elizabeth Froehlke and DJ Goldfarb were elected Non-Equity Partners,...
Firm Happenings
Updates in California Employment Law: Additional Requirements for Pay Data Reporting and Pay Transparency
Updates in California Employment Law: Additional Requirements for Pay Data Reporting and Pay Transparency On September 27, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 1162 ("SB 1162"), expanding California's data reporting requirements under Government...
Client Alert: What Employers Must Convey Upon Employee Termination or Separation
Colorado's most recent legislative session, concluding in early May, pushed through several new employment-related laws that concern employers and employees alike. Senate Bill (SB) 22-234 should be of particular interest to employers, as it requires employers to...
Client Alert: Colorado Places New Restrictions on Non-Compete Agreements Between Employers and their Employees
Colorado has long disfavored non-compete agreements within the state. Historically, under C.R.S. § 8-2-113, restrictive covenants were void and unenforceable except for under specific circumstances, including: the purchase and sale of a business or the assets of a...