
Bio
Mr. Hughes is the Co-Team Leader of the firm’s Cannabis Practice Team and a member of the firm’s Corporate Practice Team where he assists clients with all aspects of the life-cycle of their business, from formation and restructuring through dissolution; contract drafting and negotiating; corporate governance and compliance; navigating complex regulatory regimes; and other general corporate matters. He works with several private equity clients as a member of the firm’s Private Equity Practice Team, which typically involves mergers and acquisitions, fund formations and investments, and various private equity transactions. Additionally, he is a member of the firm’s Asset Receivable Management & Consumer Financial Services Practice Team.
Mr. Hughes is a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served as an intelligence analyst during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his service, he received an A.A. in Arabic Language Studies.
Before obtaining his J.D., Mr. Hughes gained considerable legal experience through a judicial internship in the New York City Criminal Court under Honorable Matthew Sciarrino, as well as conducting research as a student fellow at the Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights & Economic Justice. He also worked under an internship program in the legal office of NATO Supreme HQ Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium, expanding his knowledge in international legal affairs. Upon his return, he served as Vice President of the Armed Forces Law Society at St. John's University.
Mr. Hughes maintains his commitment to service and his community and spends time assisting veterans in need through his work with various non-profit agencies. Mr. Hughes also serves as President of the Board of Directors at West Side Community Services, a vibrant community center on the West Side of Buffalo where Mr. Hughes and his family reside.
Mr. Hughes is a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served as an intelligence analyst during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his service, he received an A.A. in Arabic Language Studies.
Before obtaining his J.D., Mr. Hughes gained considerable legal experience through a judicial internship in the New York City Criminal Court under Honorable Matthew Sciarrino, as well as conducting research as a student fellow at the Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights & Economic Justice. He also worked under an internship program in the legal office of NATO Supreme HQ Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium, expanding his knowledge in international legal affairs. Upon his return, he served as Vice President of the Armed Forces Law Society at St. John's University.
Mr. Hughes maintains his commitment to service and his community and spends time assisting veterans in need through his work with various non-profit agencies. Mr. Hughes also serves as President of the Board of Directors at West Side Community Services, a vibrant community center on the West Side of Buffalo where Mr. Hughes and his family reside.
Articles & Publications
- Author, "Empires State Cannabis Update: A Primer on Adult-Use Cannabis Advertising" CannaBuff, March 2023
- Author, "Empire State Cannabis Update: Roadmap for Navigating the Rules of the Adult-Use Market," CannaBuff, October 2022
- Author, "3 Conditional Market Lessons for Future Applicants," CannaBuff, July 2022
- Author, "Licensing Prep: 4(20) Steps Prospective Applicants Can Take Right Now," CannaBuff, March 29, 2022
Related Content
View All
Corporate Blog
Updated Adult Use Cannabis Regulations
May 31, 2023

Press Releases
Lippes Mathias Assists Calspan Corporation in $725M Acquisition
May 8, 2023

In The news
Lippes Mathias Cannabis Team Authors Cannabuff Article "Empires State Cannabis Update: A Primer on Adult-Use Cannabis Advertising"
March 28, 2023

Corporate Blog
Empire State Cannabis Update: NYS Fights to Modify Injunction Blocking Conditional Dispensary Licensing
January 9, 2023

In The news
Thomas B. Hughes, Joseph W. Schafer, and Ryan V. Stearns Author CannaBuff Article "Empire State Cannabis Update: Roadmap for Navigating the Rules of the Adult-Use Market"
October 4, 2022

Press Releases
2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers Recognizes 48 Attorneys from Lippes Mathias
August 23, 2022

Press Releases
"The Best Lawyers in America©" 2023 Edition Recognizes 48 Lippes Mathias Attorneys
August 18, 2022

In The news
Thomas B. Hughes, Joseph W. Schafer, and Ryan V. Stearns Author CannaBuff Article "3 Conditional Market Lessons for Future Applicants"
July 14, 2022