Perkins Coie LLP > Phoenix, United States > Firm Profile

Perkins Coie LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Fintech

The well regarded fintech team at Perkins Coie LLP is noted for its ‘practical advice in complex regulatory areas‘ such as digital assets, cryptocurrencies and blockchain. The firm’s offering extends to broader corporate, litigation and enforcement issues, with clients including a range of digital asset exchanges, payments providers, investors and blue-chip corporate brands venturing into the digital assets space. The team is led by Joseph Cutler in Seattle, who is also extremely experienced in fintech-related compliance and enforcement issues, as demonstrated by his advice to the global payments platform, Stripe. Other key individuals include James Walker in New York, for regulatory, enforcement and investigations, and Dax Hansen in Seattle, for blockchain and FT-related technology transactions. Dana Syracuse left the firm in June 2023.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: transactional Tier 3

The ‘well-conducted orchestra’ at Perkins Coie LLP parlays its traditional strength in the videogame sector into a broader practice that encompasses digital media and sport and is well placed to take advantage of the ongoing convergence of technology and entertainment in the space. Technology lawyer Kirk Soderquist co-leads the ensemble from Seattle, he is currently conducting due diligence of Activision Blizzard’s intellectual property and video game assets for longstanding client Microsoft. The baton is shared with the Alto Palo-based lawyer Jason Schneiderman, who specializes in matters pertaining to immersive technology. John Delaney rounds off the leadership team from New York; his broad practice includes product counseling and music licensing. Technology transactions lawyer and Seattle Symphony board member Ron Koo acts as the primary client lead for Epic games; his work for the company includes various IP matters and B2B agreements.

Real estate > Land use/zoning Tier 3

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Perkins Coie LLP assists clients with the full lifecycle of investigative and enforcement proceedings, where the firm advises on both corporate and individual level. David Massey and Phoenix-based  Jean-Jacques Cabou jointly lead the team, with former practice head Caryn Trombino having departed for the SEC in August 2022. Shari Brandt is ‘knowledgeable about derivatives trading’ and fields in-depth experience representing clients before key regulatory authorities such as the CTFTC and SEC. Financial institutions, public companies, professionals, and corporate directors regularly turn to Lee Richards for his expertise in securities enforcement and white-collar criminal defense. All attorneys are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory Tier 4

Perkins Coie LLP has carved out a niche representing blue-chip high-tech clients in business-critical regulatory mandates arising from their telecoms operations, with a particular strength in product and service launches. Practice head Marc Martin has advised several leading tech firms in this capacity, with a strong track record of advocacy before the FCC, Congress, and the executive branch, and experience in the full range of regulatory matters in the telecoms space. Belinda Nixon is also of note for her experience at the FCC, with particular expertise in wireless infrastructure and broadband deployments. Stephanie Roy has a broad international scope to her representation and she has played a major role in high-profile issues such as net neutrality and proposed media mergers.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: transactions Tier 4

The tech-oriented team at Perkins Coie LLP has carved out a notable space in the telecoms market, focusing its offering on comprehensive services for some of the most high-profile hi-tech companies in their telecoms-related activity. Marc Martin heads the practice, representing a number of blue-chip tech companies on their operations in the telecoms space such as his work on innovative 5G-connected AR/VR device distribution agreements.  Belinda Nixon is also of note, working in the satellites sector alongside Stephanie Roy with her additional specialization in advising on transactions at the international level, as are senior counsel Julien Bowers and counsel Brandon Johnson, who focus on tech transactions with more specific experience in telecoms.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies Tier 5

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission)

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing

Government > Government contracts