ABOUT US
Representing many of the biggest cannabis brands in the state, Climb Collective is J. Blake Johnson’s new cannabis industry consulting firm. Teaming up with a deep and talented roster, Climb guides business owners and investors from seed to sale.
No matter your ambitions, Climb has strategies and solutions to assist you in achieving your goals and elevating your business.
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THE COLLECTIVE
Climb Collective founder, J. Blake Johnson, has been at the forefront of cannabis industry law in Oklahoma since 2017.
“This is the fastest growing industry in North America. The compound annual growth rate for cannabis operations in North America is growing at a rate faster than broadband internet in the 2000s, than mobile phones in the ’90s.” – Blake Johnson
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J. BLAKE JOHNSON
Beginning in 2017, J Blake Johnson was one of the very first attorneys in Oklahoma to build a cannabis-law practice.
In advance of Oklahoma’s vote on State Question 788, Blake consulted several organizations involved in campaigning for its passage, made public speaking appearances to dispel misinformation promoted by the opposition, and published articles and gave interviews to educate the public about the legalities of medical cannabis. In 2018, Blake formalized the first Cannabis Industry Practice Group at one of the
state’s oldest and largest law firms. He quickly became one of the most prominent attorneys in the state’s cannabis industry, developing a portfolio of clients comprising several of the most significant brands
in Oklahoma’s burgeoning market. In 2019, Blake founded the CLIMB
Collective, which consults clients in every corner of the cannabis space and adjacent industries in Oklahoma, California, Colorado, Texas,
Arkansas, Oregon, and elsewhere.
Representing over 100 individual businesses in the medical-cannabis and industrial-hemp industries,
Blake is experienced in guiding a company through every every stage of its development and from seed to sale. Whatever it’s shape or size, Blake can help your company navigate the uncertainty surrounding your
industry.
Blake’s experience involves all phases of business
formation and development, including entity organization, partner and investor issues, tax planning, securities and fundraising, real estate
matters, licensing and regulatory compliance, intellectual property
registration and protection, employment matters, disputes with agencies and municipalities, contracting, asset protection, banking matters, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and criminal defense.
With a background in intellectual property, Blake is particularly focused on brand development. Consequently, his clients include several of the largest and most most visible brands in the industry. Blake genuinely believes that your brand is your most important asset and he is devoted to “cultivating your company” to ensure its continuing viability and
relevance.
Blake’s most valuable assets are his relationships.
Equipped with a network comprising all the major players in the state, including industry participants, vendors, accountants, marketing
representatives, and lawmakers and regulators, Blake creates and maintains strategic partnerships that help propel his clients to
success.
No matter your ambitions, Blake has strategies and solutions to assist you in achieving your goals and elevating your business.
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clayburn curtis
Clayburn Curtis is a founding partner and member of Climb-Collective. Clay graduated from Bishop McGuinness High School in OKC in 2003. He went on to attain a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Oklahoma State in 2007. Clay then received his J.D. at the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2011.
After school Clay worked in the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office for 6 years where he became very adept inside of a Courtroom- Clay has tried over twenty-five cases to a jury with many favorable outcomes. He then went on to form his own law firm, Clay Curtis Law,PLLC, before founding and joining Overman Legal Group, PLLC, in 2019 as well as Climb Collective.
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justin williams
Justin Williams is a founding partner and member of Climb Collective. He was born and raised in Jones, Oklahoma, in eastern-Oklahoma County. Prior to operating Climb Collective, Justin served as an Associate Attorney and trial lawyer at Roberson, Kolker, Cooper & Goeres, P.C., an Oklahoma City based law firm specializing in complex litigation and commercial matters. Justin’s diverse clients included individuals, small businesses, and a number of Fortune 500 companies. Since graduating with distinction from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 2015, Justin has advocated for and preserved the interests of these clients in Oklahoma’s state and federal courts, and numerous alternative dispute resolution forums.
Justin’s practice areas cover the spectrum of his client’s business and transactional needs, as well as any potential civil and commercial litigation claims facing his clients, providing a unique ability to identify and resolve problems that may arise among businesses in the cannabis industry prior to entering into legal agreements.
Justin received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago in 2012 with general and departmental honors. Thereafter, he returned home in order to attend the University of Oklahoma College of Law. While in law school, Justin clerked for both Pignato, Cooper, Kolker & Roberson, P.C., and the University of Oklahoma Outreach’s Contract Administration. He was a member of the Dean’s Honor Roll throughout each semester of law school and served as an Assistant Managing Editor of the Oklahoma Law Review.
In 2018, Justin’s work on behalf of his clients earned him recognition as a “Rising Star” in the Oklahoma legal community by Super Lawyers Magazine, an award reserved for the top 2.5% of attorneys within the state.
Justin has dedicated his career to providing aggressive services to his clients and his State. He and his wife, Katie, live in Oklahoma City, with their pet cats, Sam and Belle.
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tyler box
Tyler C. Box is a founding partner and member of Climb Collective. He is a lifelong resident of Oklahoma City where he graduated from Bishop McGuinness High School in 2003. He went on to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma. He graduated from the Oklahoma City University School of Law in 2013.
After law school, Tyler worked as an Assistant District Attorney in the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office prosecuting domestic violence crimes and assisting with the Cleveland County Drug Court Program. In 2015, he became a partner at Box & Box Attorneys where he focused primarily in criminal defense and family law matters as a trial lawyer. Prior to law school, Tyler worked in corporate communications for the Oklahoma City Thunder Organization.
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weston watts
Weston Watts is a founding partner and member of Climb Collective. He was born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma. Weston is a two-time 6A State Policy debate champion who now applies those same skillsets in representing small businesses throughout the state.
Weston has extensive experience shepherding clients through difficult decisions in complex regulatory frameworks. Weston has experience working with municipalities, counties and state regulators in various fields, including cannabis. Representing cannabis industry clients has been an exciting professional endeavor.
Ask Weston about his garden the next time you have want to be talked at enthusiastically for an unreasonable amount of time. Weston is married to his wife who he met on the school bus. They have three dogs and two cats.
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kaimbri white
Kaimbri White received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma College of Law. She is currently a member of the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity and her practice focuses solely on cannabis law. While she was in law school, she served as a judicial extern for the honorable Robert E. Bacharach in the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit, in addition to serving as Assistant Executive Editor of the American Indian Law Review. Kaimbri’s work on tribal cannabis in Oklahoma was published by the American Indian Law Review in 2018.
Kaimbri has spent the last three years researching and writing about cannabis regulations nationwide. Her heightened focus on the Oklahoma market makes her an excellent resource for cannabis and hemp businesses seeking regulatory compliance. Kaimbri received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013. She would love to help answer your questions regarding breaking into either of these rapidly growing sectors here in the great state of Oklahoma.
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j. kyle davis
J. Kyle Davis is an attorney and business consultant focusing on the cannabis industry in Oklahoma. Kyle specializes in branding and protecting intellectual property in a field exploding with new entrants—with knowledge that companies that invest in creating a brand that resonates with consumers will be at a major competitive advantage when the dust settles. Kyle appreciates that intellectual property may be the most significant asset cannabis and cannabis-adjacent companies own, and the importance of protecting and enforcing those associated rights. Kyle wants to make your intellectual property more than a catchphrase or logo—but a brand that inspires confidence in the mind of the consumer.
The passage of State Question 788 left numerous gray areas in its wake, untested by legal challenges. Kyle is focused on guiding clients through these new and still-changing industry regulation and their market repercussions. This includes litigation, entity formation, licensing, compliance, brand management and strategic business planning. Kyle was recruited by Blake Johnson to join the CLIMB Collective because of his dedication, vision and work ethic.
When he isn’t working, Kyle might be cultivating a weeks-long playlist, sipping a barrel-aged imperial stout, imitating Billy Corgan or Eminem in the popular ‘90s tribute group My So Called Band or overseeing a fantasy basketball league which he insists is the superior fantasy sport. He is the father to one, Webster, a Russian Blue.
Kyle graduated from Oklahoma City School of Law where he was a two-time member of the Jessup International Moot Court team, Order of the Barristers, and recipient of CALI Awards in Legal Research & Writing and Cybersecurity Law. He also received the Public Interest Award for his volunteer work with the American Civil Liberties Union.
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