2025 Symposium

The Symposium will take place on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 1:15 PM to 6:00 PM, at the Donna E. Shalala Student Center, Grand Ballroom.

Symposium Program PDF

Click here to Register:

CLE CREDITS — PENDING APPROVAL

The 2025 Symposium recording will be available here.

This year’s symposium, titled Navigating the Relationship Between the Administrative State and Emerging Technology, will focus on the evolving regulatory frameworks around emerging technologies like digital assets and artificial intelligence (AI). These technologies are rapidly transforming the way individuals and businesses engage in commerce, interact socially, and innovate. These advancements, however, raise profound questions about the applicability of existing regulatory structures. The symposium will bring together leading experts to discuss how the administrative state can balance the protection of innovation with the mitigation of risks associated with these technologies, while ensuring that laws evolve to meet the challenges of the future.

We are thrilled to welcome Michele Korver, Head of Regulatory & Operating Partner at a16z crypto, to deliver the opening keynote. Michele’s wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors will provide invaluable insights into the state of digital asset regulation. The event will conclude with a thought-provoking closing address, offering reflections on the key discussions of the day.

Welcome and Opening Remarks (1:15 PM – 1:25 PM)

The symposium will begin with brief welcoming remarks, setting the stage for an afternoon of in-depth discussions and exploring the complexities surrounding the intersection of technology, law, and regulation.

Opening Keynote Address (1:25 PM – 1:55 PM)

SPEAKER

Michele Korver is currently the Head of Regulatory & Operating Partner at a16z crypto, a division of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). At a16z, Michele is responsible for guiding the firm’s regulatory strategy in the rapidly evolving digital asset space, helping navigate the legal complexities surrounding crypto and blockchain technologies. Prior to her role at a16z, Michele served as the Chief Digital Currency Advisor to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), where she led efforts to shape U.S. regulations for digital currencies and cryptocurrencies. Michele has also held roles as Digital Currency Counsel at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Digital Currency Coordinator with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Michele’s background in digital currency regulation is complemented by her extensive experience in public policy and law enforcement, where she focused on anti-money laundering and the regulatory frameworks needed for emerging technologies.

As a University of Miami School of Law graduate, Michele previously served as Managing Editor of the University of Miami Law Review. Michele’s career demonstrates her deep commitment to bridging the gap between technological innovation and effective regulatory policy.

Panel I: SEC Regulation by Enforcement: Scope of Jurisdiction and Impact on Market Participants (1:55 PM – 2:40 PM)

MODERATOR

Christoph Henkel, Professor of Law, Drake University: Professor Christoph Henkel brings a wealth of international experience to the panel. Before joining Drake, having served as a professor at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, and the Mississippi College of Law, he brings a broad perspective on regulatory issues in digital assets and emerging technologies. Before entering academia, Professor Henkel worked as an arbitrator at the Directorate of General Trade at the European Commission and practiced law at Sidley Austin’s Chicago office. His education includes a J.D. from Justus-Liebig University Law School in Giessen, Germany, an S.J.D., and an LLM from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He will lead a critical discussion on the SEC’s enforcement actions and their implications for digital asset firms, particularly around the application of the Howey Test and the SEC’s enforcement approach in the absence of clear legislation.

PANELISTS

Amanda Tuminelli, Chief Legal Officer, DeFi Education Fund: Amanda Tuminelli serves as Chief Legal Officer at the DeFi Education Fund, an organization dedicated to advancing the legal and regulatory environment for decentralized finance (DeFi). Prior to joining DeFi Education Fund, Amanda worked as a Principal at Kobre & Kim, where she focused on white-collar defense and securities regulation. Her prior experience includes serving as a judicial law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and practicing at Dechert LLP. Amanda holds a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. With her extensive background in securities law and DeFi, Amanda will provide insights into the SEC’s regulatory approach and how it impacts the development of decentralized finance and digital assets.

Marisa Coppel, Head of Legal, Blockchain Association: Marisa Coppel is the Head of Legal at the Blockchain Association, a trade organization advocating for the digital asset industry. Before joining the Blockchain Association, Marisa worked as an associate at Covington & Burling LLP and O’Melveny & Myers LLP, specializing in securities law and litigation. She also served as a judicial law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Marisa holds a J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Her legal expertise will bring an important perspective on how the SEC’s enforcement actions are affecting blockchain companies and the legal uncertainty facing firms in the digital asset space.

Daniel Stabile, Partner and Co-Chair, Digital Assets & Blockchain Technology Group, Winston & Strawn LLP: Daniel Stabile is a Partner and Co-Chair of the Digital Assets & Blockchain Technology Group at Winston & Strawn LLP. Daniel is also an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, where he teaches a course on digital assets and blockchain technology. He is one of the co-authors of the first law school textbook dedicated to the regulation of digital assets and blockchain. Prior to joining Winston & Strawn, Daniel worked at Shutts & Bowen and Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. He holds a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School. Daniel’s deep knowledge of blockchain technology and legal regulation will offer critical insights into the challenges that the SEC’s enforcement actions pose for digital asset firms. 

Intermediate Speaker (3:00 – 3:15 PM)

SPEAKER

Jake Chervinsky is the Chief Legal Officer at Variant, a crypto-focused venture fund investing in decentralized technologies. He is also a board member of the DeFi Education Fund. Previously, Jake served as Chief Policy Officer at the Blockchain Association and as General Counsel at Compound Labs, one of the leading decentralized finance protocols. Jake earned his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School. As an expert in decentralized finance (DeFi), Jake will provide an essential overview of DeFi’s role in the broader financial ecosystem, its legal challenges, and the regulatory landscape that must evolve to address these challenges. His presentation will highlight how DeFi challenges traditional financial systems and discuss the legal issues facing DeFi projects.

Panel II: Potential Solutions to the Incongruence Between Decentralized Finance and Legacy Financial Regulation (3:15 PM – 4:00 PM)

MODERATOR

Miller Whitehouse-Levine, CEO, DeFi Education Fund: Miller Whitehouse-Levine is the CEO of the DeFi Education Fund, a non-profit organization that advocates for the legal and regulatory issues surrounding decentralized finance. Before founding DeFi Education Fund, Miller was the Director of Policy at the Blockchain Association, where he developed policies and strategies to support the growth of decentralized finance and blockchain technology. Miller holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. He will moderate the panel on finding solutions to regulatory gaps between decentralized finance and traditional financial systems, bringing valuable insights from his experience in DeFi policy advocacy.

PANELISTS

Rodrigo Seira, Special Counsel, Cooley LLP: Rodrigo Seira is a Special Counsel at Cooley LLP, where he advises clients in the blockchain and digital asset space on regulatory compliance and legal strategy. Prior to joining Cooley, Rodrigo worked with the crypto-focused investment firm Paradigm and at DLx Law and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. Rodrigo earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School. His deep knowledge of cryptocurrency and blockchain regulation will bring valuable perspective on how decentralized finance (DeFi) fits within the broader regulatory framework and the solutions that are emerging at both the federal and state levels.

Drew Hinkes, Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP: Drew Hinkes is a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP and an adjunct professor at both NYU Stern School of Business and the University of Miami School of Law. He is a co-chair of the Uniform Commercial Code’s Emerging Technologies Subcommittee and has written extensively about blockchain regulation. Drew earned his J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. He is widely recognized as an expert in the intersection of law, technology, and blockchain, and he will provide critical insights on how DeFi’s unique characteristics challenge traditional financial regulations.

Kimberly Prior, Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP: Kimberly Prior is a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP and co-chair of the Digital Assets & Blockchain Technology Group. She also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law, teaching courses on blockchain and digital asset regulation. Prior to her role at Winston & Strawn, Kimberly worked at Shutts & Bowen and Baker McKenzie. Kimberly holds a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. Her expertise in financial services and digital assets will be instrumental in discussing the regulatory solutions for DeFi and how traditional financial regulations can adapt to the challenges presented by decentralized finance.

Panel III: The Global Reach of U.S. Anti-Money Laundering & Sanctions Laws (4:10 PM – 4:55 PM)

MODERATOR

Lee Sullenger, Director, Financial Crimes Compliance (Digital Assets), BNY: Lee Sullenger is the Director of Financial Crimes Compliance for Digital Assets at BNY Mellon. Lee is also the founder of CryptoCytes, the only crypto-native platform where individuals can become credentialed as Cryptocurrency Crimes Investigators. Before joining BNY, Lee held positions at PNC, Citi Bank, and Raytheon, and served 22 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Lee’s extensive experience in financial crimes compliance will drive the panel’s discussion on the global challenges of anti-money laundering (AML) laws as they apply to digital assets and how U.S. sanctions laws have been adapted to address illicit activities in the cross-border digital asset space.

PANELISTS

Michele Korver, Head of Regulatory and Operating Partner, a16z: Michele Korver’s previous experience as Chief Digital Currency Advisor at FinCEN and as Digital Currency Counsel at the DOJ makes her an expert on the global reach of U.S. financial regulations. She will provide valuable insights into how the U.S. government is adapting AML and sanctions laws to deal with emerging digital assets and their cross-border implications. Michele earned her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law where she served as the Managing Editor of the University of Miami Law Review.

Ari Redbord, Global Head of Policy and Government Affairs, TRM Labs: Ari Redbord leads global policy and government affairs at TRM Labs, a firm that specializes in blockchain analytics for financial institutions and government agencies. Previously, Ari served as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Treasury and as an Assistant United States Attorney. Ari earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. His vast experience in policy and regulatory affairs will offer critical insights into the role of AML and sanctions laws in the digital asset space.

Carla Reyes, Associate Professor of Law, SMU Dedman School of Law: Carla Reyes is an Associate Professor of Law at Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. She serves as Associate Research Director on the Permanent Editorial Board for the Uniform Commercial Code and as Director of Research on the Technology Committee of the UCC. Carla’s research focuses on the intersection of law and technology, and she has significant experience in blockchain and digital assets. Her expertise will shed light on how anti-money laundering and sanctions regulations must evolve to address the challenges posed by digital currencies. Professor Reyes earned her J.D. from Duke University.

Panel IV: Artificial Intelligence and Anticompetitive Behavior (5:05 PM – 5:50 PM)

This panel will address the philosophical and practical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on competition, focusing on whether the widespread use of AI could lead to monopolistic behavior or market concentration. Panelists will discuss the challenges AI presents in terms of market entry, with large firms controlling the vast resources needed to train AI models. Additionally, the panel will explore the role of government in regulating AI to prevent anticompetitive behavior while fostering innovation. The discussion will consider the evolving relationship between AI technology and market competition, exploring the balance between innovation and ensuring fair competition in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

MODERATOR

Marcia Narine Weldon, Professor of Law, University of Miami School of Law: Professor Marcia Narine Weldon is a faculty member at the University of Miami School of Law, where she serves as the Director of the Transactional Skills Program. In addition to her academic work, she is General Counsel for Avatar Buddy and The Women’s Fund Miami-Dade. Professor Weldon has extensive experience in both legal academia and corporate law, having previously worked as the Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, and Vice President of Global Compliance & Business Standards at Ryder. She has also practiced law with Morgan Lewis and Cleary Gottlieb, and served as a judicial law clerk for Justice Marie Garibaldi of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Professor Weldon earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School. Professor Weldon’s unique combination of academic, legal practice, and compliance experience gives her a valuable perspective on the intersection of law, technology, and competition.

PANELISTS

John Newman, Professor of Law, University of Miami School of Law: John Newman is a Professor of Law at the University of Miami School of Law, where his research focuses on antitrust law, particularly in the context of technology and innovation. Prior to joining academia, Professor Newman served as a Deputy Director in the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition and as a trial attorney in the DOJ’s antitrust division. His expertise in antitrust enforcement will be crucial to the discussion on how AI could influence market dynamics and the potential regulatory frameworks to address anticompetitive behaviors. Professor Newman earned his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law.

Samir Patel, Associate, Holland & Knight: Samir Patel is an associate at Holland & Knight, where he specializes in gaming, digital assets, and artificial intelligence. In addition to his practice, Samir serves as an adjunct professor at Michigan State University College of Law and has previously worked with the ABA Young Lawyers Division’s Innovation Committee. Samir has been actively involved in the Miami-Dade County Cryptocurrency Task Force, which seeks to create a regulatory framework for digital assets in the region. Samir’s expertise in both digital assets and AI, combined with his practical experience in the regulatory space, will provide valuable insights into how AI technologies could affect market competition and the role of government in regulating these technologies. Samir earned his J.D. from the Michigan State University College of Law.

Closing Remarks (5:50 PM – 6:00 PM)

Symposium Sponsors

We would like to thank this year’s symposium sponsors, Invictus Advisors, Miami Law, and LAFAC. The support is greatly appreciated.