Oliver SmithInternational legal directory, Chambers and Partners, has ranked two leading Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) partners from law firm ISOLAS LLP in its Global Guide of legal practitioners.
Partners Joey Garcia and Jonathan Garcia have been included in the legal directory’s latest global rankings that researches and recommends leading law firms and lawyers from around the world.
This follows shortly after both partners were also recognised in the inaugural Chambers FinTech guide, which highlights the leading specialists in the FinTech and DLT industry. ISOLAS as a firm was ranked as Band 1, with Joey ranked as a Band 1 lawyer and Jonathan ranked as Band 2.
Chambers described the ISOLAS team as ‘a top-class group with a formidable offering in cryptocurrency and blockchain matters. ISOLAS has exceptional expertise in relation to token sales and regulatory requirements associated with them and acts for a number of world-leading clients in this regard. The firm is also noted for the calibre of its advice with respect to AML obligations in a variety of contexts.’
ISOLAS has developed a niche practice in the Fintech and DLT sector, having worked closely with the Government of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission in shaping the regulatory legislation for the use of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) as a transfer or storage of value mechanism.
Since the introduction of DLT licences in Gibraltar on 1 January 2018, ISOLAS has worked on the majority of applications. Recent work has included supporting Coinfloor, which received the very first DLT licence, and more recently Huobi, on its recently granted license, as well as RSK on its protocol layer developments, the prediction market platform Gnosis, Xapo on its e-money license and the Gibraltar Stock Exchange GSX on its development into the space through GBX.
Joey has been at the forefront of developments in the Gibraltar FinTech space since the beginning. He co-chairs the Gibraltar Government working group on digital currencies and is involved in advising a number of blockchain start-ups and businesses. He is also vice chairman of the Gibraltar Association for New Technologies (GANT) an association comprised of local experts and companies from the blockchain and crypto space, and a contributor to various initiatives around the world.
Chambers client feedback stated that Joey was a ‘world-class expert in his field’, adding ‘he’s the real deal, knows this stuff like the back of his hand, and has incredible integrity and dedication.’
Joey said: “I am delighted to have been ranked by Chambers and Partners. The recognition by this impartial industry source is a testament to the continued growth of the DLT space and our expertise in this area.
“I look forward to continuing to lead the team on the many and varied top flight blockchain projects we are engaged with. This is a validation of all the hard work done over the last few years to bring Gibraltar to the fore in this area of business and achieving global recognition as the leading jurisdiction in this space.”
As well as DLT, Jonathan specialises in financial services, funds and corporate advisory and currently sits on the committee for the Gibraltar Funds and Investment Association (GFIA).
Chambers noted that ‘Jonathan Garcia is respected within Gibraltar for his expertise in the legal issues surrounding blockchain technology.’
A client described him as being ‘amazing, one of the best I’ve worked with. Jonathan has great knowledge about blockchain, and both EU and non-EU law.’
Jonathan said: “The last two years have been a whirlwind in the DLT space. It’s been fantastic to support so many businesses and start-ups as they invest in and develop this technology.
“As a jurisdiction, Gibraltar has opened its doors to this industry and, with the support of local players such as ourselves, we have managed to implement a robust and lasting framework to ensure we’re working with and attracting the highest calibre of businesses in the blockchain space.”
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