Susan Hensel, the former licensing director at the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, has teamed up with former colleague and veteran attorney Joseph Grad to launch Hensel Grad P.C., a law firm specializing in providing services to the gaming industry.
Hensel and Grad have previously been involved in developing the gaming regulatory structure for Pennsylvania as part of the state’s Gaming Control Board. Considering Pennsylvania is now the second-largest gaming market in the US, they have some serious credentials to back up their new firm.
Hensel Grad will provide gaming-related consultancy services across the country, including helping other US jurisdictions develop new gambling regulations. The law firm will also be in contact with investors, operators, suppliers, manufacturers, and any other stakeholders already in the industry or looking to get a foothold in it.
“We believe the time is right for a law firm with a solid understanding of how US gaming regulation is created, implemented, and enforced,” Hensel said. Further explaining the rationale behind starting the new firm, she added that the pair “have the knowledge, experience, and relationships necessary to serve all of a client’s regulatory needs.” They also “believe a boutique law firm is the ideal platform from which to deliver the highest quality gaming law services to clients.”
Grad added that the firm’s primary focus will be providing advice to new and upcoming stakeholders on the US market, whether they are local/foreign entities looking to get into the online gaming market of mid-Atlantic or other US states where gambling is legal or state regulators looking to update gambling regulations or write new ones.
“(From) a client’s decision to enter a jurisdiction to post-licensing compliance and at all points in between, we will be their partner in navigating the US gaming landscape,” Grad said.