Reed Smith Expands its Crypto and Digital Assets Team with the Addition of Celisa Morin as Counsel

Reed Smith Expands its Crypto and Digital Assets Team with the Addition of Celisa Morin as Counsel

On June 22, Reed Smith, a renowned global law firm, welcomed Celisa Morin as counsel in its esteemed Financial Industry Group. In addition to her role within the group, Morin will also take the lead in establishing Reed Smith's On Chain: Crypto and Digital Assets Group.

With extensive expertise in cryptocurrency and blockchain, Morin brings a wealth of knowledge in both legal and commercial aspects, acquired through her experiences in the United States and Asia.

Prior to joining Reed Smith, Celisa Morin held the position of vice president of platform distribution at Grayscale Investments, a globally recognized digital currency asset manager renowned for offering access to digital currency investment products. As a key member of the Grayscale team, Morin played a pivotal role in executing the firm's strategic planning. She established partnerships with various financial institutions, private banks, wealth management firms, and fintech companies, enabling them to incorporate SEC reporting digital asset products into their platforms.

Morin took charge of the entire platform deal cycle, driving partnership opportunities, overseeing due diligence processes, structuring commercial terms, and ensuring successful implementation and ongoing support. Additionally, she developed informative and educational content covering digital asset products, regulatory developments, innovative solutions, best practices, and risk assessments. Morin's expertise in the digital asset space allowed her to provide valuable insights and guidance to platforms, empowering them to navigate this evolving industry confidently.

Before her tenure at Grayscale Investments, Celisa Morin held notable positions within the digital asset industry. She served as the general counsel and chief commercial officer at Tokenomy, a digital asset exchange based in Singapore and a subsidiary of the largest regulated digital asset exchange in Indonesia. In this capacity, she provided strategic guidance and solutions for new projects and product launches, identified business and partnership opportunities, engaged with regulators on an international scale, and oversaw critical aspects such as licensing processes, regulatory approvals, internal controls, and compliance matters.

Prior to her role at Tokenomy, Morin accumulated valuable experience in the banking sector, holding positions with several renowned international financial services firms. Her expertise expanded to various domains, including financial services, banking, energy, and technology. During her time as a commercial litigation attorney at a global law firm, she represented clients across diverse industries, showcasing her versatile legal skills and understanding of complex business environments.

Morin's diverse background and experience across the digital asset industry, financial services, and commercial litigation equip her with a comprehensive perspective and invaluable insights in advising clients in the rapidly evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, blockchain, and related legal matters.

“We have developed a robust practice capable of advising clients in the crypto space on a variety of finance and operational issues, including fundraising, digital asset fund formation, broker-dealer compliance, tokenization, and digital asset custody,” said Jodi Schwimmer, global co-chair of Reed Smith’s Financial Industry Group.

“Adding Lisa, whose experience as a key member within one of the most important digital asset players and as a GC of a digital asset exchange, will bring an in-house perspective to our practice that will serve our clients well,” Schwimmer added.

Reed Smith's On Chain: Crypto and Digital Assets Group stands as a leading force in delivering expert advice on blockchain-based platforms, cryptocurrencies, and other digital assets. With a dedicated team of over 100 lawyers spanning the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, the On Chain group offers comprehensive support in this dynamic and rapidly expanding field.

The group covers a wide spectrum of services, including guidance on initial company structures, facilitating funding transactions, navigating the complex global regulatory landscape, and assisting in the design and launch of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), platform tokens, and other digital assets. By leveraging their deep understanding of the industry, the On Chain team at Reed Smith provides clients with robust legal solutions and strategic advice tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities within the cryptocurrency and digital asset space.

“The digital assets sector is rapidly transforming, with standards and precedents being set every day,” said Constantine Karides, co-chair of Reed Smith’s On Chain: Crypto and Digital Assets Group.

“Companies in this market expect the firms they work with to be more than providers of legal services, they expect their counsel to understand the complexities of how their businesses operate as well as the implications of every decision they make, be it transactional, regulatory, financing or litigation,” Karides stated.

Karides added, “Celisa’s arrival is of critical importance to reinforcing our position as the law firm of choice for businesses throughout the digital asset ecosystem. Her deep sector knowledge, legal and business acumen, and the gravitas she brings to the firm will be of great value to our clients. We are excited to have her aboard.”

Morin holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Boston University School of Law, an M.B.A. degree from New York University Stern School of Business, and a B.A. degree from Pepperdine University. She also possesses FINRA Series 7 and 63 licenses.