University of San Francisco School of Law to Host “Demystifying Cryptocurrency and Blockchain for Lawyers” Law Review Symposium on January 25

Event will focus on how this new technology impacts currencies and finance, and its potential to revolutionize the practice of law 

SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 18, 2019) — The School of Law at the University of San Francisco (USF) will host its annual Law Review Symposium titled “Demystifying Cryptocurrency and Blockchain for Lawyers” on Friday, January 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fromm Hall located on the USF main campus.

The day-long symposium will consist of three panels that bring together 20 experts in business, policy, and academia to demystify cryptocurrency and blockchain technology and discuss ways that lawyers, regulators, consumers, and the financial technology sector can sift through the hype and make better decisions involving the technologies.

"Since the emergence of bitcoin almost a decade ago, cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology have been much in the news,” stated USF School of Law Professor and Interim Dean Susan Freiwald. “Now policy makers, regulators, litigators and other practitioners are giving these technologies the scrutiny they deserve. The USF School of Law is proud to host this symposium, convening leaders in the field to examine the legal landscape growing around these exciting new developments."

Panel topics will include the developing regulatory landscape, current cases and recent policies, and the effect of blockchain technology advancements on legal practice. Commissioner Jan Lynn Owen of the California Department of Business Oversight will provide the keynote address. 

Event Details

January 25, 2019 - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fromm Hall, University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton St. 

Scheduled speakers include:

  • Paul Blechner | Partner, Greenberg Glusker Carla Carriveau | Senior Regulatory Counsel, Circle
  • James Creech | Attorney, The Law Offices of James Creech
  • Joshua de Larios-Heiman ’05 | Managing Director, Data Law
  • Lydia de la Torre | Privacy Fellow, Program Co-Director, and Professor, Santa Clara Law School
  • Reza Dibadj | Professor, University of San Francisco, School of Law
  • Grant Fondo | Partner and Chair, Digital Currency + Blockchain Technology Practice, Goodwin
  • Max Fang | Adjunct Professor, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law; Cofounder, Dekrypt Education
  • Susan Freiwald | Interim Dean and Professor, University of San Francisco, School of Law
  • Alexander J. Johnson ’18 | Staff Tax Accountant, Ernst and Young
  • Brian Klein | Partner, Baker Marquart
  • Laura Kyriazis ’97 | Attorney, Law Office of Laura Kyriazis
  • Gregory La Blanc | Lecturer in Finance, Strategy, and Law, Haas School of Business
  • Stephen Lau | Assistant General Counsel, California Department of Business Oversight
  • Jiarui Liu | Assistant Professor of Law, Academic Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Law Programs, and Director of International Relations for LLM Programs, University of San Francisco School of Law
  • Jan Lynn Owen | Commissioner, California Department of Business Oversight
  • Scott Walker | Special Counsel, Securities Exchange Commission
  • Steven L. Walker | Attorney, Law Office of Steven Walker, PLC
  • Daniel Wheeler | Partner, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner
  • Nancy Wojtas | Partner, Cooley LLP

Journalists interested in covering the event should contact Kellie Samson at (415) 422-2697 or ksamson@usfca.edu. 

About the School of Law

Founded in 1912, the University of San Francisco School of Law has a tradition of educating effective lawyers who graduate with the professional skills and theoretical foundation necessary to succeed in the legal profession. The USF School of Law offers a rigorous education with a global perspective in a diverse, supportive community. Our graduates are skilled, ethical professionals prepared for any legal career — from intellectual property law to litigation and more — with a commitment to social justice as their enduring foundation. The USF School of Law offers full- and part-time Juris Doctor programs that empower students to develop their analytical abilities, master legal writing and research skills, acquire a firm foundation of basic law, explore an array of specialties, and refine their professional legal skills in practical settings. The law school also offers Master of Laws (LLM) programs in Taxation, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, and International Transactions and Comparative Law (for foreign lawyers), and a Master of Legal Studies in Taxation (MLST) for non-lawyers. The USF School of Law is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools.

About the University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco is located in the heart of one of the world’s most innovative and diverse cities and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to faculty, small classes, and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF is San Francisco’s first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps ignite a student’s passion for social justice and a desire to “Change the World From Here.” For more information, visit USF Home Page.