California State Assembly Introduces Legislation to Establish Digital Financial Assets Law

Barbara A. Jones is Co-Managing Shareholder of the firm’s Los Angeles office and a member of the firm’s Global Corporate practice. Barbara serves as Co-Chair of the firm's interdisciplinary Blockchain & Digital Assets practice. Barbara maintains a diverse corporate and securities law practice across industry groups, emphasizing complex international and domestic transactions, including private and public financings, dual listings, mergers and acquisitions, strategic collaborations and joint ventures, and licensing transactions. She serves as a trusted advisor to public and private company boards of directors on governance matters and complex regulatory reporting and compliance issues. Barbara's clients include financial institutions, private equity and venture capital groups, and public and private companies in emerging technology, life sciences and biotechnology, defense and security, blockchain and digital assets, telecommunications, information technology, energy (traditional and renewable), mining, media, entertainment and sports. Barbara also represents Olympic and professional athletes and sports-related organizations. Barbara practiced U.S. law in London from 1990 through 1997 with Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP, and headed the international capital markets practice of Kirkland & Ellis LLP from 1999 to 2003 before relocating to Boston. From 1997 to 1999, she served as Vice-President, Assistant General Counsel and Regional Counsel for capital markets with J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd. in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Since returning to the U.S., she has continued to actively represent public and private companies, private equity groups and investment banks in the European, Scandinavian, African and greater Asian markets, including China. Barbara is a past chair of the ABA’s Subcommittee on International Securities Matters. She is a frequent speaker at conferences relating to cross-border securities matters, strategic alternatives, and digital asset structures. She serves on the Government of Bermuda’s Global FinTech Advisory Board. Concentrations International corporate finance Public and private offerings of equity and debt securities Cross-border mergers and acquisitions Private equity and venture capital Stock exchange listings and compliance Corporate governance General corporate and transactional matters Licensing and strategic collaborations Blockchain and digital assets COVID-19 Economic Stimulus Task Force

Alice Kessler is the Co-Leader of the California Government Law & Policy Group in the firm’s Sacramento office. She is an accomplished legislative strategist and leader with a track record of rapid advancement grounded in proven strategic and communication talents, collaborative skills, and trusted integrity. Alice has deep relationships with California policymakers, thought leaders, and community-based organizations. She leverages her well-honed skills to build consensus, gain buy-in, and motivate team members and partners. Alice helped to launch the startup state advocacy practice at one of the largest public affairs consultancies on the West Coast, where she worked to advance the interests of technology firms, automakers, trade associations, and local government entities. As managing partner for one of the fastest growing lobbying firms in Sacramento, she oversaw all business operations and represented clients in the areas of energy, technology, health care, and education. She has led policy and community initiatives in the San Francisco and North Bay Area markets for the largest cable television and broadband provider in the United States. She has also directed all legislative, political, and administrative advocacy for a $12 million organization that has been the driving force behind some of the most comprehensive civil-rights protections in the nation for LGBTQ+ individuals. Alice also volunteers her time for her community. Among other honors, she has been recognized as an individual who has made an impact on the movement to secure full and lasting equality for LGBTQ+ people. She has appeared extensively in print, broadcast, and radio media, including the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, and San Diego Union Tribune.

Mr. Meier has deep experience in regulatory affairs and governmental litigation, representing corporations and individuals doing business in California. He primarily represents national companies in the health care, telecommunications, energy, transportation and financial services sectors. His practice focuses on government contracts, regulatory enforcement, and rulemaking matters involving federal, state and local regulation; procurement; bid protests; writs; commercial litigation; contract negotiations; audits; government investigations; complex false claims matters; and public records and conflicts of interest disputes. Mr. Meier has handled numerous trials and arbitrations, mediations, and administrative hearings and routinely works with state regulators, state attorneys general offices, agency staff, policy makers, and stake holders on governmental and emerging public policy regulatory and civil disputes. He has broad experience in federal and state energy, telecommunications, transportation, health care, and financial services regulatory matters, involving agencies such as the CPUC, CEC, FCC, FERC, CA DHCS and DMHC, and the CA DBO.

Madeline Orlando is a member of the Litigation Practice in Greenberg Traurig’s Sacramento office. She represents clients in environmental and energy and natural resources matters, focusing on litigation, regulatory issues, and California specific regulations, including California’s Cleaning Product Right to Know Act, Proposition 65, and the California Air Resources Board’s Low Carbon Fuel Standards.