North America - United States • Finance
Goodwin
Goodwin fields a considerable workload, notably in NFT, DAO, and government investigation matters, and is also highlighted for its in-depth expertise in intellectual property, SEC regulations, and token fundraising. In Santa Monica, David Ajalat is experienced in advising fintech companies and investors on capital raising, company formation and structuring, and M&A. Working out of San Francisco, Mitzi Chang’s practice encompasses capital markets transactions, SEC reporting, and venture capital financings, while Karen Ubell is proficient in the adoption, launch, and distribution of various digital assets. Silicon Valley-based Grant Fondo is another key team member, while Kimberly Holzel in Boston is knowledgeable of consumer financial services law compliance. Working out of Washington DC, Michael Whalen covers enforcement, regulatory, and transactional matters for fintech clients.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Goodwin's law practice stands out for its unique blend of expertise, innovation, and client-focused approach, making them a distinguished player in the legal field.’
- ‘One of the key strengths of Goodwin's team is its deep expertise across various legal domains, enabling them to handle a wide range of complex cases. Potential clients should be aware of the team's ability to provide tailored, sophisticated legal solutions that align with their specific needs and challenges.’
- ‘Goodwin keeps their finger on the pulse of FinTech. The team regularly put out updates and aren't caught off-guard by new developments or regulations in the space.’
- ‘A knowledgeable group of attorneys who pair legal advocacy with a sensibility and eye toward commercial realities. The team has a very strong attention to detail and they operate with a good level of efficiency.’
- ‘The practice is particularly noteworthy for the presence of experts like Karen Ubell and Meghan Spillane, who are recognized for their exceptional skills and contributions as law firm partners.’
- ‘Karen Ubell and Meghan Spillane represent a formidable force in the realm of blockchain law, combining their extensive experience in corporate and litigation sectors. Their combined expertise forms a unique synergy, positioning them as a powerhouse duo in the rapidly evolving blockchain legal landscape.’
- ‘Karen Ubell’s ability to advise on strategic corporate matters, coupled with a keen understanding of regulatory compliance, makes her an invaluable asset to clients operating in the blockchain space.’
- ‘Meghan Spillane's expertise in litigation makes her standout. Her experience in handling high-stakes litigation cases, especially those involving emerging technologies, equips her to effectively manage legal disputes and challenges that are characteristic of this dynamic field.’
Key clients
- Affirm
- Andreessen Horowitz
- Arkham Intelligence
- BAM Trading Services Inc
- BankProv
- Blackbird Labs
- Checkout LLC
- Circle
- DailyPay
- Galaxy Digital Ventures
- Kickstarter PBC
- Matter Labs
- Messari
- Paradigm Operations LP
- Perpay, Inc
- Petal Card, Inc
- Proof of Play
- Protocol Labs
- Risc0
- Splitit Payments
- Step Mobile
- Stripe, Inc
- Turnkey Global
- Upshot Technologies
- Universal Navigation
- X1
Work highlights
- Represented Kraken on the matter of United States of America v. Payward Ventures, Inc., 3:23-mc-80029-JCS, ultimately contesting the IRS's requests for vast amounts of data related to Kraken and its users.
- Advised X1 on its acquisition by Robinhood.
- Advised Protocol Labs on its ecosystem development and growth initiatives.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
David Ajalat, Mitzi Chang, Grant Fondo, Karen Ubell, Michael Whalen, Meghan Spillane