CHICAGO – Freeborn & Peters LLP is pleased to announce its first Emerging Technologies Symposium will be held July 11 in the mezzanine conference space at the firm’s Chicago office at 311 South Wacker Drive. The event will focus on how cryptocurrency, blockchain, smart contracts and other new technologies are impacting businesses, as well as how the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s current treatment of crypto assets is changing the landscape for the potential investment and raising of capital.
The event’s participants will include Freeborn attorneys who make up the firm’s newly formed Emerging Technologies Industry Team, as well as business leaders within the emerging technologies space. Speakers include Marc Grens of DigitalMint, Nick McEvily of Current Media, Melvin Petties of BlockHive, Inc. and Will Zhang of OneChain Capital.
“Through its Emerging Technologies Industry Team, Freeborn is taking a proactive approach with an industry where legal insight is extremely needed,” said Anthony J. Zeoli, a Freeborn Partner and Leader of the Emerging Technologies Industry Team. “Freeborn is viewed as a thought leader in the emerging technologies space and we intend to continue to develop our knowledge base and share it with our clients and other industry participants by putting on programs like the Emerging Technologies Symposium.”
The Emerging Technologies Industry Team includes Freeborn attorneys with deep experience and knowledge in legal practice areas including litigation, intellectual property, corporate, securities, and employment, among others. The attorneys help clients achieve their business goals involving blockchain, cryptocurrency, crowdfunding, “Big Data,” artificial intelligence, FinTech, and other technologies.
“Businesses need lawyers who are willing and able to understand the different implications of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, which touch upon so many different industries,” Mr. Zeoli added. “We are leveraging our experience with existing laws and, through our full-service approach, creating viable, new solutions for the unique challenges related to emerging technologies that don’t really have readily available answers.”
Registration for the symposium is now open. To register, visit https://www.freeborn.com/event/emerging-tech.
On-site registration and networking the day of the event will take place from 1 to 1:30 p.m., followed by a brief welcome from Todd J. Ohlms, a Freeborn Partner and member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group and Emerging Technologies Industry Team, as well as Co-Leader of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Team and Private Equity and Venture Capital Industry Group.
Following are the event’s scheduled presentations. Additional panelists and presenters will be added prior to the event.
1:40 to 2:30 p.m. – Presentation on “An Overview of Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies,” presented by Melvin Petties, CEO and co-founder of BlockHive, Inc.
Mr. Petties will explain how blockchain and cryptocurrencies function, as well as provide real-life examples. Mr. Petties leads BlockHive, Inc., a non-profit organization that addresses the growing demand for businesses and professionals to connect and explore the implications and applications of distributed ledger and blockchain protocol technologies. Mr. Petties also is the director of product management at Sweetbridge Inc., a blockchain-based logistics and supply chain company.
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Panel Discussion on “Blockchain and Smart Contracts,” moderated by Freeborn Partner David S. Becker. The panel will feature Nick McEvily of Current Media.
Participants will discuss blockchain and smart contracts and how to use them, as well as provide examples of how to use blockchain separate from cryptocurrencies.
3:45 to 4:45 p.m. – Panel Discussion on “Investment Funds,” moderated by Freeborn Partner Anthony J. Zeoli. Panelists include: Marc Grens of DigitalMint and Will Zhang of OneChain Capital.
Participants will discuss the use cryptocurrency coin/token offerings to raise capital and related company/investor risks.
5:00 to 7:00 p.m. – Reception and Networking at Pazzo’s restaurant, 311 South Wacker Drive.
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