Department profile
FinTech Legal
FinTech Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide
Rankings
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Latham & Watkins advised a16z crypto, a venture capital firm, on its letter to the SEC Crypto Task Force regarding recommendations for a safe harbour and crowdfunding regime for collectible NFTs.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Latham is incredibly sharp, solutions-oriented and gives effective guidance to us as a business overall.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechWe have had success working with Latham, which provides a breadth of expertise across many industries and in multiple countries. Latham works with us as a true partner.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechThe team at Latham has a global reach and unparalleled expertise in the intersection of digital assets/blockchain technology and financial regulatory matters.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechLatham is a go-to firm on complex matters. Their agile and creative thinking is a key driver of their business. They can call upon internal expertise across the entire market.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechLatham & Watkins is a top-tier firm. They're really good, really responsive and are particularly good on the US securities front.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 1 
Band 1 Stephen Wink
Stephen Wink is co-chair of Latham & Watkins' digital assets and Web3 practice. He has considerable knowledge in cryptocurrency matters and financial regulatory work. Wink also advises on regulatory and intellectual property matters concerning NFT platforms.
Stephen Wink is truly an expert for all things securities laws and broker dealer regulatory matters, and has specific digital asset and blockchain technology expertise as well.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechHe provides me excellent advice on all fintech and blockchain matters. I trust his judgement and advice. He's always available to discuss and provide solutions.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechStephen is a superstar who is very understanding and highly responsive.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
Band 2 
Band 2 Barrie VanBrackle
Barrie VanBrackle advises payments platforms and cryptocurrency companies on FinTech transactions and regulatory matters.
She can take take a highly complex situation and succinctly give me practical solutions without a doubt. She truly goes the distance.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechBarrie has expertise in payments issues and beyond. She is very diligent but also nimble.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
Band 2 
Band 2 Yvette Valdez
Yvette Valdez is a partner in Latham & Watkins' New York office and co-chairs its global digital assets and Web3 practice. Valdez acts for leading crypto clients on regulatory compliance and structuring matters and has particular expertise in crypto derivatives matters.
She is truly an expert for all things derivatives laws and CFTC regulatory matters, and has specific digital asset and blockchain technology expertise as well.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechYvette is a specialised talent with deep domain experience across our critical business and strategic goals. She has exceeded expectations to date.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechI find Yvette to be extremely knowledgeable in this area and she offers me sound and practical advice.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
Band 3 
Band 3 Jenny Cieplak
Jenny Cieplak is a capable partner at Latham & Watkins's New York office. She frequently advises FinTech clients and investors on strategic collaborations, commercial contracts, fundraising and preparations for IPOs. Cieplak is particularly highlighted for her expertise on transactional mandates relating to blockchain businesses.
Jenny is incredible. She has an incredible ability to see the nuance between various aspects of a transaction and has expert-level knowledge of so many different areas relevant to her practice.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechJenny in particular is great on anything to do with data licensing and blockchain issues. She is super technically strong, lovely to work with, very smart and savvy.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechJenny is great, she's very knowledgeable on US securities. She's also organised, switched on and good at guiding clients through hard times.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
Band 3 
Band 3 Parag Patel
Parag Patel acts for payment companies on payments laws, money transmission licensing and corporate transactions. Patel is well regarded for his regulatory expertise and client service.
He combines legal knowledge and expertise, but most importantly, he applies common sense and steps into client's shoes to deliver an exceptional service.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechParag has especial expertise. He gives very actionable, specific and practical advice. There is no ambiguity, he is clear and concise.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTechParag really navigates how regulatory requirements change. He helps you figure out given risk appetites and he is very knowledgeable.
FinTech Legal respondentFinTech
Ranked Individuals at Latham & Watkins LLP (6)
USA - Nationwide
Stephen Wink
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies
View profile Yvette Valdez
FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies
View profile Stephen Wink
FinTech Legal: Corporate, Securities & Financing
View profile Jenny Cieplak
FinTech Legal: Corporate, Securities & Financing
View profile Barrie VanBrackle
FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending
View profile Parag Patel
FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending
View profile
Latham & Watkins LLP has rankings in the following guides
Band 1 Band 1 Band 1 FinTech 2026
Practice area: FinTech Legal
Location: United Arab Emirates
View department profile for FinTech 2026
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