Ben Pirie counsels business clients on mergers and acquisitions, fundraising, drafting and negotiating complex contracts, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. He regularly advises start-ups and established businesses on transactions that include affiliate considerations, licensing agreements, and cross-border issues. Ben often acts as outside general counsel, providing strategic advice and acting as a liaison between clients and the broad range of legal services offered by Sussman Shank. Ben is a creative, results-driven attorney who is focused on finding efficient solutions to unique challenges.

Ben regularly advises closely-held businesses and their owners on complex transactions involving real property, entity restructuring, and ownership transitions. His work often includes negotiating high-value real estate deals, guiding family businesses through partner buyouts and succession planning, and helping clients navigate tax-efficient strategies such as 1031 exchanges. He has represented clients in a variety of industries—ranging from retail and agriculture to manufacturing—across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Ben specializes in working with clients in highly regulated industries in complex and dynamic regulatory environments, including Oregon’s emerging cannabis and hemp markets. Ben has done foundational work in structuring complex transactions by which cannabis brands are able to access interstate markets without violating state laws or federal enforcement priorities. Ben has been recognized nationally for his work in the cannabis industry by Chambers USA, with clients stating he’s “a well-organized, levelheaded attorney with great follow-up manners.” He also teaches a course on cannabis law and policy at the University of Oregon School of Law.

I take a holistic, outcome-based approach to client service. By getting to know my clients’ businesses from the top down and understanding what they’ve set out to achieve, I’m able to carefully tailor business solutions that meet their needs. And because their time and money are precious, my ultimate objective is to provide value when assisting clients in reaching their goals.

  • Represented the shareholder of a franchise barber shop brand in the $1m sale of corporate locations and intellectual property to a private equity firm. Involved in drafting deal documents, coordinating complex multi-part closing, and resolving post-closing issues.
  • Represented the shareholders of multiple franchise hardware stores in the $5m sale of the companies to a private equity firm. Involved in drafting deal documents and advising on legal issues related to co-op brand structure.
  • Represented shareholders of a closely-held marine dredging company in the $18m sale of the company to a competitor. Involved in negotiating deal terms with three separate potential buyers, drafting deal documents, and liaising with subject matter experts on environmental issues.
  • Represented a vertically integrated cannabis company in its efforts to sell its assets out of complex contested divorce proceedings (did not close). Involved in negotiating deal terms with multiple potential buyers, drafting deal documents, and liaising with owner’s divorce attorney.
  • Represented the part-owner of a vertically integrated cannabis company in the sale of his interests to his brother and business partner. Negotiated deal terms for the sale of multiple licenses, an interest in real property, inventory, and business assets.

  • “Representations and Warranties Insurance in the Time of Coronavirus: Trends in the 2021 ABA Private Target Mergers & Acquisitions Deal Points Study,” Oregon State Bar, Business Law Section Newsletter, Oregon Business Lawyer, 2022

Professional Organizations:

  • Multnomah Bar Association, Member
  • Oregon State Bar, Member
    • Business Law Section, Executive Committee
    • Cannabis Law Section, Executive Committee
      • Treasurer (2023)

Civic Organizations:

  • Coos Bay Oregon Law Center/Central Oregon Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO), Miller Nash Expungement Clinic Pro Bono Attorney (2022 – present)