McDermott Will & Schulte

McDermott Will & Schulte is a premier global law firm with over 1,750 lawyers across 20+ offices worldwide, recognized as a Top 25 Am Law firm and the 2024 Most Innovative Law Firm in North America by the Financial Times. Founded in 1934 in Chicago, the firm has evolved from its original tax law focus into a comprehensive legal powerhouse serving clients across diverse industries and jurisdictions.

Core Services & Blockchain Leadership

McDermott distinguishes itself with the largest full-time crypto-exclusive team in the industry, led by Partner Joseph B. Evans, a crypto lawyer since 2013 recognized by The American Lawyer as a "trailblazer" for his progressive work in crypto law. The FinTech and Blockchain Practice Group is highly ranked in Chambers USA's FinTech Guide, including Band 1 recognition in Crypto-Asset Disputes—one of only a few firms to achieve this distinction.

The firm provides comprehensive legal services across 20+ practice areas including:

• Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Law: Regulatory compliance, crypto bankruptcy representations, stablecoin issuance, virtual currency business licensing, DeFi legal frameworks, and cutting-edge crypto litigation
• Corporate & Transactional: M&A, capital markets, corporate finance, direct investing, structured finance and derivatives
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Complex commercial litigation, white-collar defense, government investigations, and crypto-asset disputes
• Intellectual Property: Patent prosecution, trademark protection, IP litigation, and trade secrets
• Regulatory & Compliance: Antitrust, data privacy & cybersecurity, government contracts, international trade
• Specialized Practices: Investment management, employee benefits, real estate, tax, and ESG advisory

Key Blockchain Achievements

• Led more cutting-edge crypto bankruptcy representations than any other law firm
• Served as special crypto regulatory counsel on Ripple's acquisition of Standard Custody & Trust, the first crypto company to acquire a New York DFS-regulated trust company
• Represented Prime Trust in the first-ever chapter 11 bankruptcy for a state-chartered crypto trust company
• Drafted Wyoming's first-of-its-kind cryptocurrency bankruptcy legislation protecting crypto customers, stablecoin reserves, and staked assets
• Ongoing legal advisor for Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin issuance

Global Reach & Industry Excellence

With offices across North America and Europe, McDermott serves regional, national, and international clients from small startups to large-cap publicly traded companies. The firm advises clients in traditional industries like manufacturing, food, and agriculture, as well as rapidly evolving sectors including technology, financial services, blockchain, and healthcare.

The firm holds 125+ Chambers-ranked practices across two continents and is regularly recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and U.S. News-Best Lawyers. Client testimonials highlight the team's unique combination of legal expertise, deep technical understanding, and crypto industry knowledge, with one client praising their "hyper aggressive strategy" that resolved a complex crypto litigation case in just three months.

Why Choose McDermott

McDermott's tagline "Always Better" reflects their commitment to uncovering inventive and often unexpected solutions to clients' most complex problems. For blockchain and Web3 companies, the firm offers unparalleled sector experience, regulatory sophistication, and a track record of pioneering legal work in emerging crypto frameworks. Their multidisciplinary approach combines traditional legal excellence with cutting-edge blockchain expertise, positioning them as the go-to firm for companies navigating the intersection of law, innovation, and digital assets.