Merging Wisdom, Spirituality, and Legal Insights with Robby Pinnamaneni
In the high-stakes world of law and business, risk is often measured in billable hours and redlines. But for attorney Robby Pinnamaneni, risk has meant something far deeper—and far more rewarding. His journey has taken him from the towering offices of Big Law to a $13/hour budtender job in the early days of California’s cannabis boom, to raising $50 million for a vertically integrated cannabis business, and now, back into private practice as a deeply intentional, spiritually guided business attorney.
In this episode of Carbon Connect, Carbon Law Group partners Pankaj Raval and Sahil Chaudry sit down with their longtime friend and colleague Robby to explore what it means to be a lawyer, a businessman, and a whole human being in today’s fast-evolving legal and entrepreneurial landscape.
From Ivy Halls to Cannabis Counters
Robby’s professional path defies conventional logic—and that’s precisely the point. Trained at top-tier institutions like the University of Chicago and University of Michigan, with credentials in economics, law, and financial engineering, he began his legal career at prestigious firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Latham & Watkins, and Paul Hastings.
But after years in the corporate legal trenches, Robby made a move few could have predicted: he walked away from a lucrative role and took a job as a budtender in Los Angeles for $13/hour.
Why? Curiosity. Growth. And the courage to say yes to a calling he didn’t fully understand yet.
“I was going through a personal and professional transition,” Robby reflects. “I didn’t have a plan. I was sleeping on Pankaj’s couch. But I knew I wasn’t happy. And sometimes, when you’re not sure what to do, you just have to start doing something different.”
That “different” became his entry into the cannabis industry—not from the top down, but from the ground up. And it worked. Robby would go on to meet one of the founders of iHeartMedia in the dispensary, leading to a $50 million raise and the founding of a vertically integrated cannabis company in LA, which he later sold in 2019.
Spirituality, Self-Awareness, and Taking the Leap
In a profession known for caution and conservatism, Robby’s appetite for risk stands out. But it’s not recklessness—it’s trust.
“What looks like bravery is often just faith,” he says. “I believe there’s a plan for each of us. Some call it God, others the universe, the light. I just call it trusting the process.”
Robby likens his big life moves to the “invisible bridge” scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. You won’t see the path until you take the step. And even if you stumble, there’s something to learn.
Spirituality, for Robby, isn’t just personal—it’s practical. It influences how he approaches negotiations, handles adversity, and represents his clients. Whether advising a startup on a commercial lease or helping an operator in a regulated industry navigate compliance, his inner calm and clarity become part of the service.
The Law Is Human: Compassion in Client Relationships
Robby’s legal philosophy is rooted in understanding people, not just contracts. “When I work with a cannabis company, I know what the budtenders feel like. I know what the packaging team goes through. I know the investor mindset. That makes me better at what I do.”
In other words, legal advice isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about perspective.
This mindset translates into client work that’s thoughtful, honest, and strategic. “Most of my clients aren’t Fortune 500 companies anymore,” he explains. “They’re founders, executives, and emerging businesses. They don’t want scorched earth. They want solutions.”
That means being selective about clients, intentional about engagement, and mindful of budgets. Sometimes, Robby explains, clients don’t need a 30-page contract—what they need is clarity, efficiency, and terms they can walk away from if things go sideways.
“When I work with small and mid-sized companies, I act like it’s my own family’s business. That helps me decide when to push, when to compromise, and when to say no.”
Lease Negotiations, Risk Strategy, and Legal Red Flags
With years of experience handling real estate transactions for giants like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Salesforce, Robby brings a deep bench of knowledge to business formation and growth planning.
“People think leases are cookie-cutter,” he says. “But what’s in the lease can make or break your company later.”
He points to key clauses that often get overlooked:
- Assignment Provisions: If you want to sell your business later, can you assign the lease to the buyer?
- Power Requirements: Especially in tech and CPG industries, your operational needs might outgrow a basic commercial lease.
- Personal Guarantees: These can expose business owners to unexpected personal liability.
- Early Termination: What happens if the business doesn’t work out? Can you sublet or exit the lease?
In one case, a client was hit with a $66,000 charge due to a simple word swap in a lease regarding triple-net payments. That’s the cost of skipping legal review.
“Sometimes the most expensive document is the one you thought you didn’t need help with.”
Big Law vs. Boutique Law: Knowing When Less Is More
Having worked on billion-dollar restructurings and also supported bootstrapped founders, Robby knows that legal strategy must match the scale of the business.
“With big clients, you go deep. You investigate every clause. That’s their expectation and their budget. With emerging companies, it’s all about discretion—what matters, what’s negotiable, and what can wait.”
A good lawyer, he insists, doesn’t just redline—they prioritize. They educate. They ask what the client is trying to build and align legal work with business goals.
“It’s like a doctor. You don’t just treat the symptoms. You look at the full body—other agreements, business objectives, capital structure. That’s how you deliver value.”
The Art of the Negotiation
When asked about his negotiation style, Robby flips the script.
“Negotiation starts with your client,” he says. “You’ve got to help them understand risk, compromise, and what’s actually at stake.”
Then—and only then—can you walk into a negotiation with purpose. Robby’s approach?
- Collaborate, Don’t Conquer: “No one likes to lose. Find a way where everyone feels like they got something.”
- Preload Concessions: “Go in knowing what you’re willing to give up. That gives the other party a win without losing anything that matters.”
- Know Your Boundaries: “Be willing to walk away if the terms aren’t right. That’s strength.”
It’s not about being soft. It’s about being strategic.
Client Development: Show Up Without an Agenda
In a world full of noise, Robby’s approach to client development is refreshingly quiet.
“I show up with no pitch. No sales goal. Just curiosity. And people feel that.”
When you meet someone with no agenda, Robby explains, you build trust. And trust is what turns conversations into clients, and clients into long-term relationships.
“I’m not trying to convert anyone. I’m just showing up as someone who can help if help is needed. That energy attracts the right people.”
He’s also selective about who he works with.
“Clients interview you—but you should interview them too. The right fit matters. Legal work is personal.”
What’s Next: CPG, Cannabis, and Emerging Industries
Today, Robby’s practice is focused on industries that demand both legal rigor and business creativity:
- CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods): Especially in regulated markets like cannabis and health.
- Cannabis: Still a frontier industry, with complex compliance and licensing issues.
- AI and Blockchain: Areas where the law is still catching up to technology.
“These industries are puzzles,” he says. “And I love puzzles. My job is to help clients win within systems that are still being built.”
Final Thoughts: Dollars, Sense, and Spiritual Intuition
As the conversation wraps up, Robby shares the quote that anchors his work and life:
“If it don’t make dollars, it don’t make sense.”
— DJ Quik
But for Robby, making sense isn’t just about profits—it’s about purpose. It’s about understanding who you are, what you stand for, and how you can use your knowledge to serve others.
“Negotiating, advising, building—these aren’t just legal acts. They’re human acts. And when you bring your full self—your experience, your humility, your spirit—into the work, that’s when it all aligns.”
Want Legal Guidance That Aligns with Your Business Goals?
Whether you’re signing your first commercial lease, preparing for a major capital raise, or entering a new regulated industry, our team at Carbon Law Group is here to help. We provide experienced, business-savvy legal counsel for entrepreneurs, executives, and growing companies—without the fluff, without the fear, and without the big-firm price tag.
Contact us today to book a consultation and see how we can help make your next business move a smart one.