Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Crypto-Asset Disputes - USA - Nationwide
What the Team is Known For
WilmerHale has a strong blockchain practice, frequently advising clients on government investigations. The firm has additional capabilities in transactional matters and OFAC sanctions compliance advice.
Strengths
WilmerHale is extremely familiar with the expectations and dynamics within federal regulators, and is adept at advising the firm in its management of their investigations.
They have exceptional litigators who are extremely knowledgeable in the crypto and FinTech space. They're smart, practical and great advocates for their clients.
WilmerHale has deep regulatory expertise in securities and commodities regulation, and they understand the crypto industry well, so they provide comprehensive and practical advice.
Work Highlights
WilmerHale represented Caroline Ellison, former CEO of crypto hedge fund Alameda Research, in criminal investigations brought by the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, the SEC and CTFC, into the collapse of crypto exchange FTX and of Alameda. Ellison pleaded guilty, pursuant to a cooperation agreement with the US Attorney's Office, and settled the SEC and CFTC actions against her. She was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and was star prosecution witness in the trial of her former business and romantic partner, Sam Bankman-Fried.
Notable practitioners
The former director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement, Stephanie Avakian chairs WilmerHale's securities and financial services department. Avakian is a respected government investigation and enforcement expert.
Stephanie is a trusted partner who is able to navigate us through a difficult and complex regulatory environment.
She is very clever, knowledgeable in the area and quick to come up with solutions.