Moss and colleague Anne Regan cooperate in devising strategies for supporting women at the firm. “The firm wants women to succeed, to become partners and work their way up. Anne and I make ourselves available to women attorneys, whether to be a sounding board or just understand situations that may not be obvious to our male colleagues. We can also be a conduit between people having disputes. We want women to stay and succeed here.”

Having started her career as a file clerk and then a paralegal, Moss has special appreciation for the contributions of legal staff. “My assistant Amanda Kunkel and I have been together for nine years. She calls me her longest relationship. She also says she can speak ‘Carolese.’ She is a vital part of my practice, and I couldn’t have this success without her. At her annual review I was asked how likely I was to recommend her. I said zero, because I wouldn’t want to lose her. We laugh a lot too.”

With regard to the development of her cannabis practice, Moss says, “The firm never tries to limit its attorneys. They have encouraged the development of my own practice, including my cannabis practice. This firm is very purposeful in not having its attorneys become siloed in just one area. Developing new practices moves the whole firm forward.”

In an industry that has not been legal for long, Moss has found rewarding challenges in representing the many emerging businesses derived from cannabis. “A lot of different products are made from the cannabis plant. Many people don’t realize the difference is that marijuana has more than .3% THC and hemp has less than .3%. While we still don’t have recreational marijuana in our state, we have hemp and all the products that come from it. Working with entrepreneurs, many of whom are women, is inspiring. I’ve made so many friends in the industry, with clients who are growers, manufacturers and retailers.”

Moss expresses concern, however, regarding social equity relating to the cannabis industry. “I worry about people with criminal records or who are in prison for having produced something that may soon be legal. Their status can prevent them from getting a job or government aid. If we don’t keep issues of expungement of records and decriminalization at the forefront, these people could easily be left behind.”

Another disparity she sees is the disproportionate impact the War on Drugs has had on minority communities. “Studies show that enforcement has been lopsided against communities of color. When we start talking about legalization of cannabis and a very lucrative industry, how do we equalize opportunities for people who have not had access to business education, banks, accountants, and the legal support a business needs to succeed? We need to add support because the imbalance of criminal charges has left people out of this business community.”

Working in the cannabis industry was natural given Moss’s advocacy for entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs. Moss serves on the board for National Association of Women Business Owners – Minnesota and finds it very fulfilling. “Women run their businesses differently than men. They are more likely to consider how a business decision affects their employees and their families. Small women business owners are more likely to be the sole supporter of their family. When you help them succeed, you help families succeed.”

Moss says she hopes that young women today would receive different career advice than she did when she was starting out. However, she has parlayed her early experience into a robust and meaningful career, made all the richer by her many perspectives on the law and the inclusive culture at Hellmuth & Johnson.

“I really did leave that day feeling like maybe being a lawyer was too much, like I didn’t know if I could do it. But I overcame it, and it all worked out for me. I don’t think being a lawyer is the restricted stereotype it used to be. I see so many opportunities for women in the law. And in Minnesota, we’re blessed with so many women on the bench and as leaders in the legal community.”