Cryptocurrency/FinTech in Big Law Forum

[Anonymous User]

It seems like Cryptocurrency/Bitcoin & FinTech/Blockchain are huge growing areas. I was wondering if people know of any big law firms that are very involved in this burgeoning industry?

[SomewhatLearnedHand]

It seems like Cryptocurrency/Bitcoin & FinTech/Blockchain are huge growing areas. I was wondering if people know of any big law firms that are very involved in this burgeoning industry?

Recently had an event at my school where I had this discussion (i.e. sat silently and listened to) over lunch with two current V50 partners. They were speaking like blockchain is going to revolutionize legal practice / business in general. Not positive what firms are leading in this area, but one did mention they spoke to a partner at Cooley who said Cooley was looking to incorporate blockchain at the firm for contracts, docs, etc, so I assume they are heavily into it.

[ruski]

It seems like Cryptocurrency/Bitcoin & FinTech/Blockchain are huge growing areas. I was wondering if people know of any big law firms that are very involved in this burgeoning industry?

I think Hogan lovells has a team dedicated to cryptocurrency

[SomewhatLearnedHand]

It seems like Cryptocurrency/Bitcoin & FinTech/Blockchain are huge growing areas. I was wondering if people know of any big law firms that are very involved in this burgeoning industry?

I think Hogan lovells has a team dedicated to cryptocurrency

Goodwin also has a strong FinTech practice from what I understand.

[nkr]

Perkins Coie and MoFo are active in this space.

[Johann]

cooley is always really good at leading in these spaces.

perkins coie is hiring a lot nationwide to develop a group.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know what working within one of these practices in big law would entail? I'm assuming some regulatory stuff? but also venture capital financing? Do law firms represent on initial coin offerings?

[SomewhatLearnedHand]

Anyone know what working within one of these practices in big law would entail? I'm assuming some regulatory stuff? but also venture capital financing? Do law firms represent on initial coin offerings?

I could be totally wrong here but I think any of the cryptos are on public exchanges yet so I'm not sure they used underwriters / firms. They're all traded on crypto exchanges right now but I'm not sure if those offerings are the same as a public offering. Bitcoin futures are going live on the Cbeo exchange real soon though so you might wanna check out what firm was on that.

[Anonymous User]

I'm in a niche transactional practice but I am super interested in this. Do practices tend to be focused in the Bay or are they spread out? Would a non-STEM background hurt, if I am otherwise very knowledgeable about crypto?

The dream would be to land in one of these groups in Texas, Chicago, or NoVa.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know what working within one of these practices in big law would entail? I'm assuming some regulatory stuff? but also venture capital financing? Do law firms represent on initial coin offerings?

Sorry it's hard to take crypto seriously sometimes.

Bitcoin futures are supposed to start Dec 10 on CBEO (Sunday) / Dec 18 on CME. Should be fun to see how the currency takes it, but the increasing legitimization within the traditional financial sector will probably attract more biglaw work.

[BKing]

FWIW, Allen & Overy invested in a Fintech company and recently helped the company issue world's first cryptocurrency bond.

http://www.allenovery.com/news/en-gb/ar ... vaura.aspx

[Necho2]

FinTech=/=Blockchain=/=Bitcoin

I imagine the first place most BigLaw firms are gonna get their feet wet is helping exchanges deal with lawsuits and CFTC/SEC actions in the next year. So maybe securities enforcement is the place to be?

[ghostoftraynor]

Good luck having a job in six months if you get into this.

[1styearlateral]

Good luck having a job in six months if you get into this.

Blockchain, distributed ledgers, and smart contracts will be a thing and will change a lot of things like real estate, tax, and banking law.

[Anonymous User]

Good luck having a job in six months if you get into this.

Well this didn't age well.