biography

Mr. Ettinger is a partner in the Corporate and Technology practice groups, and leads the firm’s FinTech and Blockchain practice group as co-chair. Since 2012, Mr. Ettinger has represented leaders in blockchain technologies and digital currencies with the issues involved in token distributions, software development, product launches, cryptocurrency management and transfers, and DeFi compliance. Representative clients have included BitGo, Brave, Lighting Labs, MasterCard, RealUSD (Tether), Wave Financial, and other leading players in the ecosystem.

His practice in the Silicon Valley focused on corporate law and technology transactions for ventures at every stage. His clients included AMD, Apple, DeviceScape, Intel, Internet Devices (acquired by Alcatel), Magma Design, NEA, Network Solutions Inc. (NSI), Orchestria (acquired by CA), S3 (acquired by HTC), Self Aware Games (acquired by Big Fish), and Undertone Networks. He has represented investors in investments as diverse as Hootsuite, Houzz, Social+Capital, and SpaceX.

Before joining FisherBroyles, Mr. Ettinger was a partner and co-leader of the Blockchain Technology and Digital Currency Team at Sheppard, Mullin, Rich...

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  • Blockchain Technology and Digital Currency
    • Represented Akbank in its innovative agreement with Ripple for cross-border payments
    • Represented investors and blockchain companies in dozens of financings
    • Represented BitGo in its groundbreaking work with The Royal Mint (UK) and CME to “digitize” gold
    • Represented a premier digital currency payment companies in payment gateway and business partnership agreements with PayPal, Apriva, and other companies
    • Advised manufacturers of Bitcoin network verification equipment (mining equipment) in all aspects of business including semiconductor development agreements, distribution agreements, technology licensing, and venture financing
    • Founding Member, Digital Currency & Ledger Defense Coalition
    • Blockchain & Digital Currency industry practice team co-leader
  • Emerging Growth/Venture Capital

    Representation of:

    • Lightning Labs in its Series A Preferred financing
    • NEA in its Series A Preferred financing of Tamara Mellon Brands
    • Pulmostics in its Series A Preferred financing
    • BitGo in its Series Seed Preferred financing
    • GoCoin in its Series A Preferred financing
    • SmartAge in its Series A Preferred and Series B Preferred financings ($47 million), and in its IPO filings
    • Social Concepts in its Series A Preferred financing
    • Angel investors in over numerous seed-stage and later stage financings
    • Investors in investments as diverse as Hootsuite, Houzz, Lucrative Gaming (fgl), The Social+Capital Partnership, and SpaceX

    Technology Development, Manufacturing and Distribution

    • SAAS agreements for security companies Orchestria (acquired by CA) and BitGo
    • IP spin-out from SRI to create a new venture funded by Mayfield Fund and U.S. Venture Partners
    • Technology development and channel license agreements for Bigfoot Networks (subsequently acquired by Qualcomm Atheros after investments by North Bridge Venture Partners, Venio Capital Partners, and Palomar Ventures)
    • Manufacturing, OEM and VAR agreements with Dell, Foxconn, Gigabyte, and Asus
    • Semiconductor development and manufacturing agreements with TSMC and Uniquify
    • All operational contracts for AboveNet Communications (subsequently acquired by Zayo for $2.2 billion) from its initial formation through its IPO

    Operations of Digital Businesses

    • Counseling for apps in the “top 10” in the iOS and Android app stores including Card Ace: Casino (Self Aware Games, subsequently acquired by Big Fish)
    • Multi-million dollar agreements with commercial and investment banks for enterprise-wide IT protection
    • Online advertising agreements, ad tech licenses, and counseling for NAI, FTC and state law compliance for companies including Connexus and Undertone
    • Photography guidelines for fan-based celebrity photography
  • Thought Leadership

    Articles

    Speaking Engagements

    • Blockchain and Media @ The Battery, November 19, 2019. Video recording here.
    • “The Blockchain: Technology, Law and Regulation”, UCLA School of Law, Law 932, Guest Lecturer, January 2019.
    • “Challenges, Opportunities and Solutions of Security Tokens”, World Blockchain Forum, November 9, 2018.
    • “Financing of Start-Ups and Emerging Growth Companies”, UCLA School of Law, March 9, 2018.
    • “How To Think About Regulating Cryptocurrency”, FinTech SV Cryptocurrency Law Panel, San Francisco, February 6, 2018.
    • “Blockchain Innovation and Opportunity, The Legal Landscape,” Consensus 2017
    • “Regulatory Landscape of Digital Money,” Cureativ’s State of Digital Money Conference, July 22, 2017
    • “Innovations in Fundraising,” Cureativ’s State of Digital Money Conference, July 22, 2017
    • “Legalities Surrounding the DAO,” at the Los Angeles Ethereum Meetup, April 27, 2017
    • “Social Impact of Blockchain,” at The New Context Conference, DG717 Digital Garage, San Francisco, November 4, 2016
    • “Negotiating the Series A Preferred Term Sheet,” Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California, November 2, 2016
    • “AR/VR Overview,” August 26, 2016. Sheppard Mullin Partner, Adam Ettinger, moderated an AR/VR panel of executives from SilVR Thread, Visionary VR, Zugara, DAQRI and Digital Reign Productions. The panel discussion focused on the impact of AR/VR technologies in corporate, entertainment, marketing and education in 2017.
    • “Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Following the CFPB: Consent Order In Re: Dwolla‚ Inc.: Ensuring That New Payment Offerings and Services Effectively Protect Sensitive Customer Information‚ Both in the U.S. and Abroad,” American Conference Institute for Emerging Payment Systems, July 28, 2016
    • “The Impact of Blockchain on Securities Transactions,” American Conference Institute’s Blockchain & Distributed Ledger Technology Conference, April 13, 2016
    • “American Conference Institute’s ACI Crypto Virtual and Digital Currency Conference,” June 24-25, 2015
    • “Legal Implications of Bitcoin,” APEX All Payments Conference, February 24, 2015
    • “Strategic Alliances for Early Stage Technology Companies,” UCLA Office of Intellectual Property, January 13, 2015
    • “Startup Innovation with Bitcoin,” UCLA VC Fund, June 5, 2014
    • “Creating and Funding the Next 100 Great Bitcoin Companies,” Inside Bitcoins, April 7, 2014
    • “Moving Bitcoin Forward: Bringing Trust, Legitimacy, and Transparency to the Market,” Inside Bitcoins, December 4, 2013
  • Events
  • Memberships
    • Member, Board of Advisors, Blockchain Legal Association
    • UCLA VC Fund
    • Founding Member, Digital Currency & Ledger Defense Coalition

 

 

Los AngelesPalo Alto

Adam T. Ettinger

Partner

[email protected]

+1.650.331.0120‬

Credentials

Admissions

California

Education

Boston University School of Law, JD. Cum Laude
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Legal Studies at Oxford University

Prior Law Firm Experience

Sheppard, Mullins, Richter & Hampton LLP
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Practice Areas