Tell us a bit about what you love about the product regulatory practice area or your role in general. Product regulatory work is very interesting to me because the lawyer plays an integral role in actually shaping the product from a very early stage. A good product regulatory lawyer can help the product team design a better product, one that is compliant with laws and regulations and provides a better end user experience. Ideally, the product regulatory lawyer is involved in the actual conception and early design of the product, helping the company avoid costly mistakes that happen when a product needs to be redesigned or reconfigured to be compliant. Being involved early on means I get to work with creators and be creative myself!
What do you feel are the most interesting developments in the product regulatory area and for the fintech industry as a whole or for your specific business/industry? I have been in Fintech for about 7 years, with the last 4 in crypto. Just as Marc Andreessen once said that software is eating the world, Fintech now seems to be eating the world. Most new companies, products, or apps created in the last 10 years, including services launched by established companies, involve Fintech: Uber, DoorDash, Apple Pay, Coinbase, Robinhood, apps for dog walking, fitness, even swimming pool rentals, the list goes on.
In crypto specifically, I don’t think I can pick just one thing that has been the most interesting development. When Bitcoin was invented more than a decade ago, who (if anyone) could have ever predicted that this technology would become the foundation for smart contracts, decentralized finance (Defi), NFTs, DAOs, or Web3? So for me, the most fascinating thing about crypto is that its potential applications seem to be limitless. Time will tell if these applications truly offer value to end users, but certainly the level of innovation is mind boggling.
What advice would you give to someone in the legal field trying to evaluate a role at a startup? Ask yourself what you are trying to achieve. Is it financial security, getting into a new industry, a pivot into a different kind of law, or maybe even a role outside of law? Depending on the goal, a later-stage startup may be more appropriate for one person (someone further in their career, or with a family to support), whereas an earlier-stage startup, or even possibly an unfunded startup, may be more appropriate for another person (such as someone looking to switch industries or areas of law).
Will this startup help you achieve that goal? It doesn’t have to be your dream job, but will it bring you at least one big step closer? I experienced this personally when I made a career change to Fintech. I applied to literally hundreds of jobs in at least 10-15 industries, and was repeatedly rejected. Then I realized I didn’t have the right resume, network, or experience for any of those jobs. Instead, I made a series of incremental steps (starting with unpaid positions) to get me closer to my ultimate goal.
What are the top 3 things that you think will define your industry in the next 5 years? Given how crypto has evolved, I think this question is really anybody’s guess! I’ll make my predictions but I will probably be wrong. First, I believe that most banks will offer crypto services, including crypto-related lending and other financial products. This will be the norm, not the exception. Second, crypto will be used as a medium for trading all kinds of assets, not just crypto or even financial assets - think real estate, art, cars. Ok, maybe this will take 10 years. Third, I don’t really understand the metaverse, but like it or not, it is here, and crypto will be an integral part of it.
Permeating all of these developments will be the need for more lawyers to help companies navigate these uncharted waters. :-)
Who are your mentors, how did you connect with them, and what are the top 3 things you learned from them? Most of my mentors have been supervisors and managers in law, although I have also had a few non-attorney mentors. I have found my mentors through various means: primarily, colleagues and supervisors at companies where I have worked, and also through networking (e.g., attending industry events, participating on panels, joining organizations, etc.). When you meet someone who you really connect with, foster that connection because it could turn into a mentor relationship. The top three things I have learned are: (1) Don’t be afraid to try new things, and welcome uncertainty by getting out of your comfort zone. (2) Help others solve their problems. This is rewarding in its own right, and also, people will magically want to help you solve your problems too. (3) Be proactive about building your brand. In today’s world, being a skillful lawyer often isn’t enough to get you to that dream job. Set small goals (such as participating on panels, joining organizations, or writing articles or making social media posts). My mentors taught me to make those goals specific and hold myself accountable.
