Matthew Sean Harrison
California
Matt’s practice focuses on facilitating innovative change through legal action, and he works with private and public leaders in emerging issues and industries, ranging from internet to cannabis law. Most recently, Matt was one of the lead drafting attorneys on California’s Proposition 64, the successful ballot initiative to decriminalize and regulate cannabis for adult use. Working directly with California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom and other state leaders to craft the policy structure, Matt directly authored key provisions in the legislation, integrating complex legislative, political and legal considerations into a balanced, comprehensive and historic reform. For over 10 years, Matt has helped pioneer transformative public policy innovations. Prior to establishing the firm, Matt founded Prometheus Civic Technologies, a social purpose corporation developing civic engagement software for web and mobile platforms. While still in college, Matt founded the Prometheus Institute, a think tank dedicated to increasing public awareness for creative policy solutions, especially among the millennial generation. In the decade since, the Institute has produced numerous award-winning grant-funded policy projects, twice receiving the prestigious international Templeton Freedom Award, and continues to produce transformative policy research and solutions, including those recently codified in Proposition 64 and other state and local laws. By founding Prometheus Civic Law, Matt’s practice now includes range of high-level business and government relations matters, particularly where legal, business and policy issues intersect. He counsels a variety of entities, including startups and technology companies, on development and structuring of business objectives, operation of business activities and regulatory compliance.