Tom became a trial lawyer to represent people, not big corporations or powerful government agencies. Since graduating from law school and becoming an attorney, Tom has been able to fight for individuals by getting successful results in high stakes criminal cases, serious personal injury lawsuits, and civil rights litigation across Georgia and the rest of the country.

Tom has been recognized by several organizations based on his successful advocacy. In 2020, just a few years after graduating law school, Tom was selected as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers in Georgia by the National Trial Lawyers. Membership in the Top 40 Under 40 is by invitation only and limited to the top 40 attorneys in the state based on their qualifications, leadership skills, and proven results as a trial lawyer. Since 2021, Tom has been identified by Best Lawyers as “One to Watch,” a recognition awarded to young attorneys by their peers. While most “Ones to Watch” recipients have been in practice for at least five years, Tom received this recognition in only his third year of practicing law. Since 2022, Tom has also been named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers, a national organization dedicated to recognizing attorneys for significant achievements in their practice areas.

In his criminal practice, Tom handles a variety of cases at the federal and state level, including drug trafficking and conspiracy charges, white collar crimes, immigration offenses, and sex crimes. Several of these cases have resulted in acquittals, dismissals, or favorable plea deals with the prosecution. In post-conviction proceedings, Tom has obtained successful outcomes in appeals, habeas corpus petitions, and sentencing hearings, including by helping his clients get “time served” sentences, probation, or that help them avoid immigration consequences like deportation.

As part of his criminal practice, Tom has filed several motions for “compassionate release” on behalf of inmates all across the country, including in California, Texas, Virginia, and several other states, and he has been able to get several inmates released from prison early based on their vulnerable medical condition or because they received excessively harsh sentences. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tom was able to obtain the release of roughly a dozen inmates based on their risk of severe or fatal illness while incarcerated.

Tom also has significant experience and a successful track record in civil asset forfeiture cases, in which the government tries to keep seized property by alleging the property was somehow involved in a person or business’s criminal activities. Tom has defended dozens of people and businesses in civil asset forfeiture cases and has helped his clients recover over $1 million in seized property, including cash, vehicles, and even real estate. Many of these individuals and businesses were subjected to unlawful seizures and raids based on their sale of legal hemp products.

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Attorney Tom Church

I ask Karina what brought her to psychedelics in terms of developing a legal practice.

How she’s developing a practice that builds ESG, ethics and creating best practice in the world of psychedelics whether it be the corporate sector the public service or non profit sector.

How to create the values of this new area with the pressures of other forces?

As the psychedelics wave moves into new states what does the conversation look and like as discussions opoen about decriminalization and legalization for therapy.

https://antithesis.law/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/antithesislaw/

Karina began her career with a prominent Washington DC law firm focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) regulatory, enforcement, and litigation issues, as well as AML and FCPA compliance and internal investigations. As a human rights advocate, Karina has also worked extensively with refugees and migrant populations in both the United States and the Middle East.

At Antithesis, Karina guides clients on a range of core business and regulatory issues, including corporate formation, contract review and drafting, dispute resolution, along with ESG advice. As a leading voice on regulatory matters and best practices, she advises and collaborates with impactful organizations to develop and improve business guidelines. Her enduring commitment to social justice and intellectual curiosity continue to propel her leadership and advocacy in the psychedelic field.

Assisted with formation of psychedelic coaching company, trademark review and advice

Contributed to a broad internal investigation for a large EU bank regarding historical AML and OFAC compliance. Supported the client in responding to US government inquiries, and assisted with numerous ongoing EU criminal and regulatory inquiries.

Assisted with presentations to large international investment banks on the risks to companies and board members from greenwashing litigation in the United States, advised US investment managers on implementing SEC-compliant ESG programs, including marketing materials, GRI-compliant Corporate Sustainability Reports, UN PRI submissions, and written supervisory procedures.

Contributed to a broad internal investigation for a European financial institution regarding historical AML compliance, supported cooperation with US authorities, and assisted with numerous ongoing criminal and regulatory inquiries in Europe.

Advised clients on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) national security review process for foreign acquisitions in the United States.

https://psychedelics.top200lawyers.com/item/karina-bashir-antithesis/

Taylor Loyden (she/her/they) is the Managing Attorney at Terrapin Legal, a pioneering psychedelic law firm dedicated to advancing ethical and sustainable practices within the psychedelic ecosystem. Having spent over a decade working as a wilderness therapist, educator, medic, search and rescue responder, and guide in remote settings, Taylor brings a multidisciplinary approach to her legal practice.

Her path to law was inspired by profound experiences working alongside indigenous communities, which nurtured a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of natural systems and the mutual support they foster. This appreciation for holistic relationships, along with her interest in ethnobotany, ecological integrity, and mycology, continues to guide her approach to her legal practice.

Taylor focuses much of her legal practice on supporting clients to align their practices under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), advising on DEA and FDA compliance, and providing strategic guidance to practitioners within the psychedelic ecosystem. Her approach is oriented towards guiding clients to operate within nuanced legal frameworks while staying true to the medicines and practices they work with. Whether advising spiritual communities, therapists, practitioners, researchers, or harm-reduction organizations, Taylor ensures clients are empowered to minimize liability, avoid government interference, and maintain alignment with their values.

At Terrapin, Taylor prioritizes creating pathways for ethical and sustainable practices, advocating for reciprocity with Indigenous communities, advancing evidence-based policies, and educating clients on the complex intersection of law, culture, and transformative healing practices. She is deeply committed to protecting not only her clients but also the people and ecosystems they serve.

https://www.terrapinlegal.com/