Michele Neitz

Classes & Trainings

Classes

Blockchain Technology & the Law

Blockchain technology represents new challenges and opportunities for lawyers. This seminar course, taught by Professor Michele Neitz, is an introduction to blockchain technology and related legal and regulatory issues. Previous technical experience is not required. Students will (1) learn the core technologies of blockchain, including the technical aspects of cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and smart contracts; (2) analyze the real-world application of blockchain in various use cases; and (3) evaluate the way lawmakers and regulators are dealing with this cutting-edge technology, particularly in the area of state regulations, federal securities law, and ethical considerations.

[Blockchain Technology and the Law] equips me with the knowledge and skills I need to navigate the legal issues of blockchain technology in the field of intellectual property. As an international student, I believe that the insights gained from this course will provide me with a competitive edge in a global market increasingly in need of legal professionals who have knowledge of blockchain technology.”

Savleen Kaur Intellectual Property & Technology Law, LLM Student

DeFi: Decentralized Finance Law

This course, taught by Professor Charles Belle, aims to introduce students to the laws, regulations, and legal issues surrounding decentralized finance, also known as DeFi. Through class discussions and readings, students will develop an understanding of the legal and policy issues arising from decentralized ledger-driven innovation.

Topics covered will include legal, regulatory, and policy issues related to cryptocurrencies, initial coin offerings, online lending, new payment technologies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and the unique legal concerns associated with stablecoins. Additional topics will include Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, self-sovereignty initiatives, and the Bank Secrecy Act. No prior knowledge of blockchain, cryptocurrency, NFTs, or DeFi is required for this course. It is designed for students of all levels to learn and engage with the legal issues in DeFi that are revolutionizing securities regulations, gaming, privacy laws, and intellectual property licensing.

Trainings We Offer:

Our trainings offer expertise from law professors and computer science professors to teach all aspects of emerging technologies and related legal issues.

We tailor our trainings to the needs of the organization. For example, some government offices ask for specialized training based on the issues they are encountering related to emerging technologies. Others simply wish to start with introductory trainings, such as "Blockchain and/or AI 101.”

We are pleased to be able to offer these trainings to government offices for free, thanks to support from FFDW.

Who We've Trained:

  • National Association of Attorneys General
  • California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
  • Executive Staff of the California Department of Motor Vehicles
  • League of California Cities
  • California State Controller’s Office
  • Practising Law Institute
  • The Federal Public Defender - Northern, Central, and Eastern Districts of California
  • TuneIn
  • University of Paris X Nanterre
  • Harvard University SHINE Summit
  • Cornell Law School
  • Charles University- Prague
  • Review Internationale des Services Financiers (Paris)