K&L Gates bolsters fintech practice by hiring crypto duo from Carlton Fields

K&L Gates bolsters fintech practice by hiring crypto duo from Carlton Fields

Crypto lawyers Andrew Hinkes and Justin Wales join as partners in Miami and Los Angeles

AmLaw 100 firm K&L Gates has bolstered its American fintech practice by hiring a pair of crypto lawyers from Carlton Fields in Miami and Los Angeles.

Andrew Hinkes and Justin Wales join the firm from Tampa-based Carlton Fields as partners. They carry a combined experience of 11 years as counsel at Carlton Fields. They were part of its national blockchain and digital currency practice group.

Wales' association with Carlton Fields spanned for nine years, including seven years as chair of its blockchain and digital currency practice. He focuses on advising an array of blockchain, fintech and financial services clients on fundraising and regulatory matters, including executing token offerings.

Hinkes spent just over two years at Carlton Fields, where he advised companies on digital assets and blockchain technology-related legal matters. Before joining Carlton Fields, he had co-founded Athena Blockchain, an asset management firm focused on tokenised investment products. He worked as general counsel during his stint with Carlton Fields.

In the past, Hinkes was associated with Florida firms Berger Singerman and Siegfried Rivera and has experience as a trial attorney handling complex commercial litigation.

Wales was quoted by Coindesk as saying that their move to K&L Gates will allow them to bring their specialised knowledge in the "sci-fi areas of law" to a firm with the resources and name recognition to allow them to further develop their practices.

Wales is set to split his time between K&L Gates' Miami and Los Angeles offices, while Hinkes will be based solely in Miami.

"Miami is an emerging technology hub and the knowledge and experience of this team in cutting-edge blockchain and cryptocurrency issues will expand our capabilities to service our clients' growing regulatory, finance and litigation needs related to digital currency," Steven Weinstein, managing partner of K&L Gates' Miami office, said.