Perkins Coie has hired a former US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Division of Enforcement counsel Kari Larsen. She has joined the law firm’s Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency industry group and Investment Management practice in New York.
Larsen began her career as International Operations Counsel for the Enforcement Division of the CFTC. She later moved into private practice and held in-house positions, where she gained experience navigating complex transactional and regulatory matters as general counsel to several exchange companies—including the first US. Most recently, Larsen was counsel and co-head of the global Fintech practice at Reed Smith. Previously, Larsen was GC at LedgerX, a digital currency exchange.
J. Dax Hansen, Chair of Perkins Coie’s Blockchain Technology & Digital Currency Industry group, said Larsen brings deep knowledge of derivitive exchange platforms and launching innovative products including crypto assets.
“Her relationships span funds, payment companies, money transmitters, trading and investment companies, and exchange platforms. Kari’s experience in these sectors further establishes our firm in the upper strata of law firm practitioners in the blockchain ecosystem.”
Larsen joins Perkins Coie following another key hire to the firm’s blockchain and investment management practice; former SEC Branch Chief Valerie Dahiya who joined the firm last month.
Perkins Coie has staked out a claim to the fast growing digital asset sector pursuing a sector of finance that is poised to grow further as traditional financial firms enter the securities blockchain industry. The law firms Blockchain group was launched in May of 2013 and claims to be the world’s first legal practice focusing on crypto and distributed ledger tech.