About Lara Leslie
Lara Leslie DeCaro is a licensed attorney admitted to practice law in California in 2003, holding. She is currently active and practices at Leland Parachini et al LLP, a law firm located in San Francisco, California. Ms. DeCaro has been serving clients in the San Francisco area for over two decades, focusing on business law and intellectual property matters.
Ms. DeCaro earned her Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University Law School in 1999, graduating cum laude. Prior to law school, she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in 1994. During her time at Tulane, she received a certificate in mediation from the American Arbitration Association, enhancing her skills in alternative dispute resolution.
Ms. DeCaro's practice areas include business law and intellectual property law, with a particular emphasis on clients in highly regulated industries. She has developed a comprehensive medical cannabis business practice over the past 12 years, representing various clients such as event venues, entertainment providers, art galleries, authors, banks, recycling companies, investors, franchisors, and small business owners. Her work encompasses all stages of legal proceedings, including litigation, appeals, negotiations, and trials.
Throughout her career, Ms. DeCaro has been admitted to practice in multiple jurisdictions. In addition to California, she is licensed in Colorado, where she has been a member of the Colorado State Bar since 1999. She has also been admitted to practice in New Mexico, though her license there is currently inactive. Her extensive experience spans various courts, including state and federal trial and appellate courts in these jurisdictions.
Ms. DeCaro is an active member of the California Lawyers Association and its Business Law Section. She has served as a founding board member, former executive officer, and current advisory board member of the International Cannabis Bar Association. Additionally, she sits on the Executive Committee of the Bar Association of San Francisco Cannabis Law Section, where she initiated the San Francisco Cannabis Equity Program pro bono panel to provide meaningful representation to social equity applicants. She is also a published author and frequent speaker on cannabis business law topics. In her personal life, Ms. DeCaro enjoys live music, skiing, horseback riding, and baseball. She actively participates in her community by donating legal services to worthy causes and volunteering at her daughters' schools.
