Justin is a partner in the Firm’s Financial Institutions Group. His practice focuses on providing his clients with strategies and solutions for minimizing risk in the digital economy.

FinTech

Banks, lenders, payments companies, private equity and venture capital firms, and brick and mortar clients seek out Justin for his deep understanding of FinTech and emerging technologies. When clients’ issues relate to financial privacy, cryptocurrency, blockchain, machine learning, artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, data analytics, or other advances, Justin is uniquely qualified to help them navigate the legal and regulatory obstacles to innovation.

A National Law Journal Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and FinTech Trailblazer and cited authority on digital currency, lending, and FinTech issues, Justin is a leader and innovator. His notable accomplishments include:

• Founding and chairing the nation’s first FinTech-focused bar association committee;
• Creating a Financial and Emerging Technologies Course that Justin teaches at Northwestern Law School;
• Organizing the first legal-themed digital currencies conference, the Block (Legal) Tech Conference;
• Founding the FinTech practice at two AmLaw200 law firms;
• Being the only attorney recognized as an emerging leader by the Bank Administration Institute;
• Drafting the first law review article focused on financial privacy and government-backed or central bank digital currencies; and
• Being the first attorney to argue the admissibility of distributed ledger entries before two federal judges.

Justin is also an adjunct professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law where he teaches Financial and Emerging Technologies and the Law. Regardless of the legal issue or the technology involved, Justin prides himself on being his clients go-to attorney for the future of financial services.

Litigation & Disputes

In addition to his deep knowledge of technology and financial services, Justin is an experienced litigator who has led dozens of matters, ranging from consumer class actions to complex contract and commercial disputes. In the last few years, for example, Justin has first- or second-chaired myriad litigation matters with millions or billions of dollars at stake. Recently, moreover, Justin secured a $15 million summary judgment award on behalf of a foreign manufacturer in federal court.

Representative Experience

Banking

• Guide over two dozen bank clients (with assets ranging from $200m to over $10 billion) through partnerships with FinTech companies and in connection with providing banking-as-a-service products.
• Structure and negotiate partnerships and related agreements between banks and digital wallet providers, cryptocurrency sub-custodians, lenders, blockchain and cryptocurrency infrastructure companies, payments companies, BaaS middleware, software, and marketplace companies, robo-advising and wealth management companies, credit scoring businesses, and other technology companies.
• Negotiate and draft, at least annually, dozens of software licenses, program management agreements, FinTech partner agreements, and related commercial contracts.
• Prepare treasury management agreements, payment processing agreements, terms of service and terms of use, wire agreements, ACH agreements, DDA and other account agreements, compliance policies and procedures, business plans, regulatory correspondence, breach notices, and related documents for community bank clients.
• Click here for additional Banking experience

Fintech

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

• Counsel cryptocurrency companies on compliance with state money transmitter laws, FinCEN MSB requirements, lending laws, capital raising laws, securities and commodities registration requirements, and with anti-money laundering and sanctions laws and regulations.  
• Represented ransomware victim support services client in connection with IRS, FinCEN, and OFAC matters stemming from ransomware payments.
• Advised Fortune 500 FinTech company about the litigation, tax, and technical risks associated with offering customers a hosted cryptocurrency wallet.
• Click here for additional Blockchain & Cryptocurrency experience

Lending

• Advised online lender about litigation risk stemming from its relationship with bank partners and potential “true lender” issues.
• Advised online lender about electronic signature audits and internal policies.
• Prepared AML/KYC policies for online lenders.
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Payments

• Serve as sole outside counsel to payments business for Fortune 500 client, including advising on bank sponsor agreements, payment network compliance, general regulatory compliance, payment processing and other commercial agreements, and strategic advice about product launches, customer disclosures, and FBO account structure.
• Advised large private equity client in connection with approximately $400 million acquisition of payment facilitator.
• Counseled Fortune 50 company about the impact of PSD2 on design of POS terminals.
• Click here for additional Payments experience

Other Tech

• Represent software vendor in contract dispute with large municipal government.
• Advise PropTech unicorn about real estate licensing laws and other relevant regulations.
• Counsel software and technology staffing firm on employment, contracting, and vendor management issues.
• Negotiate software agreements with six financial institutions on behalf of FinTech software company.

Litigation Matters & Investigations

• Trial counsel in week-long, eight-figure contract dispute in New York Supreme Court.
• Trial counsel in three-week, $1 billion RMBS trial.
• Lead counsel in defense of multiple, large environmental exposure.
• Click here for additional Litigation Matters & Investigations experience

Activities & Honors

• Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, and FinTech Trailblazer, National Law Journal (2018)
• Emerging Leader, BAI (2018)
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2018-present)
• Pro Bono Award, Northern District of Illinois (2017)