Perkins Coie Welcomes Jacob Farber and Frederick Fedynyshyn
Perkins Coie LLP, a global leader in blockchain and financial technology law, is pleased to announce that Jacob S. Farber and Frederick B. Fedynyshyn have joined the firm as senior counsel in its Technology Transactions & Privacy practice. Jacob and Fred join Perkins Coie's robust team of lawyers counseling companies on cutting-edge blockchain, fintech and privacy matters. For example, Perkins Coie recently helped form and currently serves as legal counsel to the newly established Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, which connects FORTUNE 500 enterprises, startups, academics and technology vendors with Ethereum subject matter experts to produce blockchain solutions that will serve as the foundation for businesses going forward.
“Blockchain technology is driving development of new products and business operations, and financial technology is changing the way customers interact with financial services,” said J. Dax Hansen, a partner in Perkins Coie’s Technology Transactions & Privacy practice and Chair of the firm’s Blockchain and Fintech industry groups. “Jacob and Fred have deep experience and knowledge in the complex legal and technology issues faced by companies innovating in the areas of blockchain and fintech. They are among the few practitioners in this area with lengthy track records of navigating the issues and applications specific to payments, blockchain transactions and smart contracts. I am delighted to welcome them to the firm.”
Jacob rejoins Perkins Coie in its Washington, D.C., office after spending the last year as General Counsel and co-head of regulatory affairs at R3, a consortium of global banks and financial institutions exploring blockchain technology. Jacob’s practice focuses on blockchain/distributed ledger technology ("DLT") and fintech, including DLT implementation by financial services companies and large enterprises, decentralized digital currencies, ecommerce, emerging and online payment systems, and financial services regulation. Jacob has represented blockchain and other fintech companies before numerous national and international financial services regulators. Jacob also has extensive experience representing technology companies, communications providers and other clients in sophisticated technology transactions, including IP, software, technology licensing and acquisition, cloud services agreements and outsourcing. Jacob earned his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and received his B.A., with honors, from the University of Michigan.
“I am tremendously pleased to welcome Jacob on his return to Perkins Coie,” said William Malley, Managing Partner of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. “Jacob is admired by clients and peers for his deep understanding of the workings of government regulatory agencies. He is well-versed in evolving blockchain and fintech issues and a valuable resource to the firm and its clients in these complex matters. It is great to have him back.”
Fred, based in Perkins Coie’s Seattle office, brings hands-on experience with the commercial applications of digital currencies and blockchain technology that he uses to guide clients through many and varied legal, regulatory and compliance issues raised by these technologies. His keen understanding of myriad global regulations and experience interacting with regulators around the world will benefit banks, interbank switching companies, traditional cross-border payments companies, and payments technology companies that enter or expand into the digital currencies and payments space.Prior to joining Perkins Coie, Fred was chief legal and compliance officer of BitPesa, a pan-African blockchain-based payments and trading platform. Earlier in his career, Fred spent three years with the National Security Agency providing legal support to counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and national security operations and investigations. Fred earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and received his B.A. from Bowdoin College.
“Fred comes to Perkins Coie with knowledge of the comprehensive regulatory issues specific to the blockchain and fintech space,” said Marcelo Halpern, Co-Chair of Perkins Coie’s Technology Transactions & Privacy practice. “His significant experience in financial technology and cybersecurity issues is especially relevant to Perkins Coie’s tech practices and acknowledged reputation as the ‘go to’ firm in blockchain and electronic financial transactions.”
The attorneys in Perkins Coie’s Technology Transactions & Privacy practice represent leading and emerging technology companies, retailers, manufacturers and other businesses in connection with transactions spanning virtually every segment of the technology industry, including information technology, internet/e-commerce, mobile, software (developers, publishers and distributors), privacy and data security, gaming, emerging payments, digital currencies, social media, hardware and medical device and biomedical engineering.
Perkins Coie's Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency industry group was publicly launched in May 2013 as the world’s first legal practice focused on decentralized cryptocurrencies and shared ledger technologies. The Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency industry group is an outgrowth of Perkins Coie’s long history representing fintech, internet, mobile and other technology companies. This multidisciplinary group is on the front lines of industry developments, helping clients address the complex legal issues faced by blockchain and digital currency businesses. Attorneys in this practice provide product counseling, regulatory investigations and compliance counseling, litigation support, consumer protection counseling and business transaction assistance. Clients include shared ledger consortia platforms, exchanges, wallet providers, payment processors, investors and industry associations.
Perkins Coie’s Virtual Currency Report provides news and analysis on legal developments relating to blockchains and digital currencies. Content includes insight on the complex regulatory, enforcement, investment and consumer protection issues arising in the shared ledger ecosystem. To read the Virtual Currency Report or to sign up for a customized RSS feed from the blog, please visit https://www.virtualcurrencyreport.com/.
About Perkins Coie: Founded in 1912, Perkins Coie LLP has more than 1,000 lawyers in 19 offices across the United States and Asia. The firm provides a full array of corporate, commercial litigation and intellectual property legal services to a broad range of clients, from FORTUNE 50 corporations to emerging growth startups, as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.
