Benjamin L. Rackliffe - Johnston, RI
Attorney at Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O'Gara LLC
Corporate & Business Law Lawyers in Johnston, RI
1301 Atwood Ave. Suite 215 N Johnston, RI 02919
- 1 Super Lawyers®
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19
Years
Experience
Johnston Corporate & Business Law Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Corporate & Business Law
- Emerging Industries Compliance and Regulatory Law
- Commercial Real Estate
- Investor Relations
- Nonprofit Organizations
Attorney Information
Overview
Benjamin L. Rackliffe is a Partner with Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O'Gara LLC and a member of the firm's Corporate & Business and Nonprofit Organizations Teams. He is considered a leading authority in the areas of corporate and regulatory compliance, providing counsel in a wide range of areas to closely held business and tax-exempt organizations.
Building upon years of traditional corporate transactional experience, Attorney Rackliffe is at the forefront of advising businesses on the ever-evolving state and federal cannabis law and policy landscape in both medical and recreational markets throughout New England and elsewhere. Within the State of Rhode Island alone, Attorney Rackliffe has advised approximately two dozen licensed cultivation companies through real estate, licensing, regulatory compliance and investment related matters. Outside of Rhode Island, he routinely advises dispensary and cultivation operators, both publicly traded and private, including the owner of the largest outdoor cannabis cultivation on the east coast. In addition, he advises investors on risk mitigation measures within the cannabis space. His experience also includes representing clients in the nation’s burgeoning hemp industry.
Attorney Rackliffe also has experience in the construction and engineering industries and in commercial real estate development, having previously served as assistant general counsel to a hospitality and real estate development corporation and as an attorney for a Rhode Island-based construction and engineering litigation firm representing multinational and U.S. contractor corporations. Attorney Rackliffe now uses this experience in advising developers, financing parties and institutional clients alike participating in solar renewable energy projects.
He earned his J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Providence College, where he continues to act as a Special Lecturer for an undergraduate business course entitled, “Legal Environment of Business.” He is admitted to practice law in Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York, and is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, the Connecticut Bar Association, the New York Bar Association and the American Bar Association.Awards and Honors
Other Sources of Feedback About Benjamin L. Rackliffe
Included on the 2022 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2021 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Rhode Island Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
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Roger Williams University School of Law,
Bristol,
Rhode Island
J.D.
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Roger Williams University School of Law,
Bristol,
Rhode Island
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Non Legal Education
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Providence College,
Providence,
Rhode Island
B.S.
Major: Management
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Providence College,
Providence,
Rhode Island
Current Employment Position(s)
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Partner
Representative Clients
Represent veterinarian in acquisition of veterinary practice assets/ location.
Represent ophthalmologist in sale of practice assets.
Represent dermatologist in acquisition of skin rejuvenation therapy business.
Represent nationally recognized point-of-sale/ processing technology company in stock sale transaction.
Represent regional janitorial services company specializing in the healthcare industry in sale of stock to foreign corporation.
Represent water authority with respect to statutory merger and annexation of abutting water supply district into said water authority.
Advise numerous quasi-public and private institutions with respect to solar net metering and virtual-net metering projects throughout the Rhode Island.
Represent Massachusetts Registered Medical Marijuana Dispensary in Private Placement in excess of $5 Million.
Represent Licensed Medical Marijuana Cultivation with multi-million-dollar placement.
Represent Licensed Medical Marijuana Cultivation with private placement.
Successfully advise over 15 Medical marijuana cultivator license applicants in the Rhode Island with respect to obtaining medical marijuana cultivation licenses from the Department of Business Regulation, including advice and counsel on local zoning and planning matters, facility acquisitions/ leasing.
Published Works
Articles
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PBN cannabis summit: Legalized recreational pot is only matter of time in R.I.
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Municipal Barriers to Cannabis Enterprises
Bar Admissions
- Rhode Island
- Connecticut
- New York
- U.S. District Court District of Rhode Island
- U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit
Other Affiliations
- Rhode Island Bar Association
- Connecticut Bar Association
- New York Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Photo
Contact
1301 Atwood Ave. Suite 215 N
Johnston, RI 02919
Fax: (401) 824-5123
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.pldolaw.com
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