Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is taking an active role in the emerging blockchain technology space by joining with leading corporations, law firms, law schools and academic institutions to collaborate and explore blockchain technology and smart contracts. Now, as a select member of the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance’s (EEA) newly launched Legal Industry Working Group, Debevoise is building on its leadership position in this sector.

The EEA is an industry-supported, not-for-profit established to build, promote, and broadly support Ethereum-based technology best practices, open standards, and open source reference architectures. The rapid growth of the EEA Legal Industry Working Group is emblematic of the increased interest by legal professionals in blockchain technology.

Participation in the EEA’s Legal Industry Working Group represents just the latest example of the firm’s leadership role in FinTech and blockchain. Lee A. Schneider, head of Debevoise’s FinTech practice, launched a FinTech-focused podcast, Appetite for Disruption, with co-host Troy A. Paredes, former SEC Commissioner and founder of Paredes Strategies LLC. Through Appetite for Disruption, available via webcast, iTunes or Stitcher, featuring a continuing series of conversations with some of the industry’s best thinkers, Mr. Schneider and Mr. Paredes explore business and regulatory developments and technology trends impacting these growing businesses.

The firm’s blockchain practice represents many leading blockchain projects, funds and investment banks, all of whom seek to build on the community’s creative and disruptive spirit. In providing holistic legal services across transactional, regulatory, intellectual property and contractual issues, Debevoise FinTech lawyers continue to track FinTech and blockchain technology developments in this rapidly evolving environment. To stay current on issues impacting this emerging sector, please visit the Debevoise FinTech practice’s LinkedIn page, which is dedicated to monitoring important FinTech developments.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients’ most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.