Axel Bernabe

Axel Bernabe is a regulatory and deal attorney with more than 25 years of experience advising clients in highly regulated industries. His practice has focused on structuring complex transactions, navigating government oversight, and guiding companies through emerging and uncertain regulatory environments. Before re-entering private practice, Axel spent over eight years in senior roles in New York State government. He first served as chief health counsel to the Governor, where he advised on high-stakes policy, procurement, and regulatory matters. He later went on to co-found and launch a new state regulatory agency, the Office of Cannabis Management, giving him direct experience designing and implementing rules for highly regulated industries.

Axel’s healthcare expertise is extensive. As chief health counsel to Governor Andrew Cuomo for more than six years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, he led legal, policy, and procurement developments across the State’s health portfolio. In that role, he provided strategic counsel and direction to operations within the Executive Chamber and the State Department of Health. He also headed the team negotiating the healthcare component of the annual state budget, managing the review of all legislative and fiscal initiatives, and driving high-stakes negotiations with the Senate and Assembly. His work gave him a deep understanding of healthcare delivery, financing, and regulation, as well as how governments shape and implement health policy at scale.

Building on that foundation, Axel became the central architect of New York’s cannabis market. He drafted the Cannabis Law, negotiated its passage with the State Legislature, and then co-founded the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). As the Office’s inaugural Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Director, he led the implementation of all licensing, enforcement, economic development, clinical, policy, and reinvestment goals of the State’s medical, hemp, and adult-use cannabis programs. He oversaw the launch of the agency itself, hiring and managing its executive team, building a staff of more than 165 employees, and designing and implementing all regulations to stand up the new industry.

Today, Axel continues to advise clients on how to structure deals and navigate government in highly regulated areas. He provides corporate and regulatory counsel throughout the business lifecycle while guiding clients through New York’s complex health and cannabis regulatory requirements and legislative changes. His combination of government leadership and private sector experience makes him a trusted advisor for companies confronting novel legal challenges in complex industries.

Services

Education

University of Ottawa, B.A.

McGill University, LL.B. (J.D.) and B.C.L., magna cum laude

Admissions

• New York