My business cards say "Technology Lawyer" not "Bitcoin Lawyer" but Bitcoin-related work was approximately 60% of my legal practice last year.
In the last year I've spoken about Bitcoin and law in front of 300+ Canadian Corporate Counsel Association lawyers, a roomful of banking lawyers at the Canadian Institute's Payments Forum and at other smaller events. I'm often asked "what do you do for your clients?".
My Bitcoin legal services:
- Technology licensing agreements (with both companies & individuals in the Bitcoin space)
- Incorporating Bitcoin software companies (some with reverse vesting agreements for co-founders)
- Asset distribution schemes for digital currencies
- Helping clients understand how to frame securities law issues
- Explaining the interface between "smart contracts" and contract law
- Application of Bill C-31 (re: changes to Money Services Business [MSB] rules)
- Understanding commercial risks specific to Bitcoin and how they translate into contractual terms
- Drafting agreements that denominate payments in Bitcoin (e.g. independent contractor agreements)
- Explaining how Bitcoin (and similar cryptocurrencies) works (in language that lawyers/other professionals understand)
- Asset purchase agreements for digital currencies
- Advice about open-source software
- Ensuring compliance with open-source licensing terms
- Explaining/brainstorming about how Bitcoin concepts could be applied to existing legal processes and agreements
- Asset purchase agreements for Bitcoin software companies that are entirely Bitcoin-denominated
- Advice about using Bitcoin within traditional payments structures