Department profile
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies
FinTech Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide
Rankings
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Cooley advised The Money Services Round Table, an information sharing and advocacy group made up of large money transmission companies, on state and federal legislation, rules and guidance relating to money transmission regulation, among other issues.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Cooley has a highly innovative approach to product development and in-depth regulatory knowledge and broad sense of current market practice.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechCooley offers clear communications with deep knowledge of the FinTech industry and the desk-drawer rules. They have practical experience advising on how regulators will respond to various matters.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechCooley are extremely responsive and able to communicate efficiently and effectively. They have the ability to help me understand any questions I may have. With Cooley, our needs are met entirely.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechCooley offers industry and regulatory knowledge that is always comprehensive, historical and current. Furthermore, Cooley understands the business models, which allows for expeditious legal advice.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechCooley is very helpful and knowledgeable. They were always available, very communicative, and very helpful in every aspect. They really went above and beyond.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTech
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 2 
Band 2 Adam Fleisher
Adam Fleisher is experienced in payments and is a money transmitter expert. His clients include peer-to-peer payments providers, electronic wallet platform providers and payroll and payment processors.
Adam has been an excellent partner to have when navigating the regulatory requirements and changes that faced our company. He's very communicative and incredibly knowledgeable and approachable.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechAdam is a strong, practical and business-oriented regulatory lawyer. He's our go-to for US payments laws and regulations. He's practical, responsive and always solution-focused.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechAdam has been a critical partner in the development of our banking and FinTech products.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechAdam is a forward-thinking thought leader on debit card products, payments and other issues in the financial services space. He's an expert and is super knowledgeable, accessible and responsive.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechAdam has tremendous practical and technical knowledge, with an ability to conduct quality research, effectively advocate and balance interests and develop effective positions during negotiations.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTech
Band 2 
Band 2 James Kim
James Kim is a payments law and lending specialist. He joined Cooley LLP from Troutman Pepper in May 2025. Kim was previously a senior enforcement lawyer at the CFPB, and in private practice advises FinTech clients on consumer protection and general regulatory compliance work.
James Kim is truly great, he's phenomenal.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTech
Band 3 
Band 3 Derek Colla
Derek Colla is a corporate partner at Cooley focusing on helping innovative FinTech clients through funding rounds. Colla's clients include blockchain, crypto assets and payment services providers.
Derek Colla is great. He's well regarded, commercial, pragmatic and clients really like him.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechDerek is a brilliant lawyer, he has deep insights, understands our objectives and responds with great customer service in a timely manner.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechDerek is responsive and gives great counsel.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTech
Band 3 
Band 3 Obrea Poindexter
Obrea Poindexter is an expert in payments regulatory matters. She has the ability to advise large payment institutions as well as emerging payments businesses.
Obrea is a forward-thinking, highly creative product and regulatory lawyer with deep regulatory and market knowledge.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTechObrea Poindexter is very smart, very thoughtful, very well informed about what the agencies are doing and how to prepare for everything. She's also very contactable and provides a great perspective.
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies respondentFinTech
Band 4 
Band 4 William K Pao
William Pao assists clients in high profile litigation and regulatory matters. Pao previously chaired O’Melveny & Myers' FinTech group and has recently moved to Cooley LLP.
Ranked Individuals at Cooley LLP (5)
USA - Nationwide
William K Pao
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies
View profile Derek Colla
FinTech Legal: Corporate, Securities & Financing
View profile Adam Fleisher
FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending
View profile James Kim
FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending
View profile Obrea Poindexter
FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending
View profile
Cooley LLP has rankings in the following guides
Band 4
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