Iran Hopkins

About Iran Hopkins

Talented tax and transactional attorney focused on complex transactions, structuring tax efficient ownership and operations, and regulatory compliance for clients across a range of industries, including real estate private equity, healthcare leasing, hospitality, professional sports, public-private partnerships, IP licensing and franchising, storage for hire, digital records management, commercial agriculture, and climate controlled facilities and services.Irán began her career in International Corporate Tax at KPMG and has substantial experience advising upon renewable energy incentive tax credits, California energy efficiency standards and financing programs, QOZs, new markets tax credit structures, and Section 280E.Irán also advises on business succession planning, estate, gift, and trust tax planning and compliance, trust transactions, and California property tax.Irán cannabis regulatory compliance and serves on Akerman’s national cannabis team, working with landlords, tenants, lenders, operators, investors, and other stakeholders in the cannabis industry, advising on cannabis land use permits, business licensing and operations, getting products to market. Iran was recognized as a “Trailblazer in Cannabis Law” by The National Law Journal (20••••19), and ranked by Chambers USA for Cannabis Law Nationwide between 20••••22, describing her as “brilliant; she knows the regulations and is very talented at corporate formation and tax implications”.Irán serves as a Commissioner on the Commission on Disability for the City of Los Angeles, appointed by LA Mayor Eric Garcetti to a term ending June 30, 2023. Irán is also a long-time member of the Junior League of Los Angeles, serving as Co-Chair of the JLLA Endowment Committee for a three-year term ending May 31, 2025. Irán grew up living and traveling throughout México, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and California and is a native Spanish speaker.

Experience

1. Partner

   Akerman LLP

   May 2018 — Present · Los Angeles, CA, US

   Irán Hopkins is a partner in Akerman LLP’s Real Estate Practice focused on complex transactions, structuring tax efficient ownership and operations, and regulatory compliance for clients across a range of industries, including real estate private equity, healthcare leasing, hospitality, professional sports, public-private partnerships, IP licensing and franchising, storage for hire, digital records management, commercial agriculture, and climate controlled facilities and services.Expert in California cannabis, working with landlords, tenants, lenders, legacy operators, new operators, investors, and other stakeholders in the cannabis industry in all aspects of real estate transactions, business operations, getting products to market, and regulatory compliance with California law on a local, county, and state level.

Education

• Texas Christian University

  BA

  1994 — 1998

• USC Marshall School of Business

  MBT

  1999 — 2001

• USC Gould School of Law

  JD

  1998 — 2001

Skills

• Restructuring
• Fundraising
• Community Engagement
• Entertainment Law
• Corporate Governance
• Acquisitions
• Litigation
• Business Development
• Non-Profit Leadership
• Cross-Border Transactions
• Due Diligence
• Pro Bono
• Financial Structuring
• Joint Ventures
• Intellectual Property
• Strategy
• Closing Deals
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Real Estate Transactions
• Mergers
• Start-Ups
• Courts
• International Tax
• Legal Research
• Non-Profit Board Development
• Real Estate
• Dispute Resolution
• Corporate Law
• Board of Directors
• Corporate Tax
• Venture Capital
• Social Media
• Estate Planning
• Strategic Communications
• Licensing
• Making IT Happen
• Legal Translation
• Volunteer Training
• Negotiation
• New Media