Chirali V. Patel
Chirali V. Patel was named to the “22 to Watch in ‘22” list by NJ Cannabis Insider and was recognized on the InsiderNJ 2021 “Insider 100: Cannabis Power List” as an influential voice in the cannabis debate. Chirali started her journey in the cannabis industry through self-education and organic networking in legal states such as Colorado as early as 2016. Chirali went on to gain experience in facilitating vertical applications for medical cannabis licenses in New Jersey and in advising individuals on ancillary market opportunities. She is also an advocate in the community and was the South Asian liaison for NJ CAN 2020, the successful “vote yes” campaign led by the ACLU-NJ to legalize adult-use cannabis. Chirali is an Executive Board Member for the New Jersey State Bar Association Cannabis Committee and is Co-Chair of the Social Justice and Equity Subcommittee. She is also a member of several industry organizations and speaks frequently on the topic in her professional and personal capacity.
Her prior litigation experience focused on complex commercial litigation, including business torts and civil RICO claims against Fortune 500 companies, and complex class actions and mass tort litigation against pharmaceutical drug companies and automobile manufacturers. Chirali was involved in the In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation and was also appointed as Liaison Counsel in the multidistrict litigation In re Elmiron as part of one of the most arguably diverse plaintiff's steering committees.
Chirali devoted the early years of her career to serving the public, previously working for the County of Bergen as assistant county counsel, for the City of Hoboken as assistant corporation counsel and assistant prosecutor, and for the County of Passaic as a legal associate.
Bar Admission
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Education
- B.A., Rutgers University
- J.D., Yeshiva University, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law