2024
DIVERSE
Partner, Co-Chair of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Working Group
LAWYERS Making a Difference
Education: JD, The George Washington University Law School BBA, The George Washington University Company Name: WilmerHale Industry: Legal Company CEO: Anjan Sahni, Managing Partner Company Headquarters Location: Boston, MA Number of Employees: 1,100 Your Location: New York, NY Words you live by: To whom much is given, much is expected. Who is your personal hero? US Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall What book are you reading? From Hoodies to Suits: Innovating Digital Assets for Traditional Finance (which I contributed to!) What was your first job? Sales associate at golf pro shop Favorite charity: The Legal Aid Society Interests/Hobbies: Traveling, Orange Theory, and live music events Family: Krystle Lawrence, partner
Can disruptive tech be inclusive too? This lawyer is working to make it so Tiffany J. Smith, partner at WilmerHale, deserves recognition as a Diverse Lawyer Making a Difference due to her active promotion of diversity and inclusion not only within WilmerHale, but also more broadly in the legal community. Smith is actively involved in numerous diversity initiatives across the firm, including serving on the firm-wide and New York office diversity committees and serving as a formal and informal mentor for lawyers in her practice area and diverse lawyers more broadly. Outside of the firm, she is actively involved in various initiatives to expose diverse attorneys to disruptive technologies (e.g., cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence) so these technologies develop in a way to promote financial inclusion. For example, she co-founded a non-profit focused on disruptive technology and financial inclusion, routinely participates in initiatives
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aimed at increasing the number of diverse law and college students interested in disruptive technologies (e.g., HBCU Tech Law Summit, Black Blockchain Summit) and regularly speaks at conferences about disruptive technologies, including conferences for diverse attorneys (e.g., Corporate Counsel Women of Color, National Bar Association Tech Law Summit, Elevating Black Excellence Summit). Her dedication to professional achievement, mentorship, and community involvement showcases her commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive legal profession. Smith is nationally recognized for her expertise on cutting edge regulatory issues. Her focus is on the intersection between financial regulation and disruptive technologies (e.g., cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence). As co-chair of the firm’s Blockchain and Cryptocurren-
cy Working Group, she has been instrumental in navigating regulatory challenges for clients in emerging technologies. Smith’s professional achievements include helping numerous crypto clients navigate regulatory uncertainty, achieving favorable results for clients in enforcement matters, and serving as a non-partisan expert for members of Congress considering legislation for cryptocurrency. Smith often writes and speaks on cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and diversity at conferences and client events across the country. She has been featured in a number of publications regarding these topics including Law360, NPR, Nasdaq TradeTalks, the Business Insider and Chambers Associate. Her commitment to mentorship, community involvement, and fostering diversity and inclusion make her a standout leader in the legal field.
www.diversityjournal.com
AWARD
Tiffany J. Smith