• About
  • Offices
  • Careers
  • News
  • Students
  • Alumni
  • Payments
  • EN | FR
Background Image
Bennett Jones Logo
  • People
  • Expertise
  • Knowledge
  • Search
  • FR Menu
  • Search Mobile
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
View all
Practices
Corporate Litigation Regulatory Tax View all
Industries
Capital Projects Energy Funds & Finance Mining View all
Advisory
Crisis & Risk Management ESG Strategy and Solutions Governmental Affairs & Public Policy
View Client Work
International Experience
Insights News Events
New Energy Economy Series Business Law Talks Podcast Economic Outlook
Quarterly M&A Insights ESG & the CIO Subscribe
People
Practices
Industries
Advisory Services
Client Work
About
Offices
News
Careers
Insights
Law Students
Events
Search
Alumni
Payments
Subscribe

Stay informed on the latest business and legal insights and events.

LinkedIn LinkedIn Twitter Twitter Vimeo Vimeo
 

Bennett Jones Joins Enterprise Ethereum Alliance

November 27, 2017

First Canadian law firm member of World’s Largest Open-Source Blockchain Initiative

Bennett Jones is the first Canadian law firm member of the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance, the world’s largest open-source blockchain initiative. Ethereum is dedicated to evolving smart-contract blockchain technologies for enterprise application across industries.

“Blockchain is one of the biggest changes in business that will happen this century,” says Conrad Druzeta, co-head of Bennett Jones’ Blockchain and Fintech practice. “We’re in exciting times. Blockchain, Distributed Ledger technology and cryptocurrency are opening new dimensions in global commerce. They are also subject to many Canadian and international laws that participants need to be aware of.”

The Canadian Securities Administrators, the U.S. SEC and other security regulators are taking a very close look at blockchain technology—and have shown they are very willing to work with people. Blockchain, cryptocurrency and smart contracts are expected to have huge impacts on areas such as insurance, financial services, international trade, transportation and supply chain management, information technology and tax.

“Distributed Ledger and Distributed Autonomous Organizations are at the basis of blockchain. We see these as basic, enabling, infrastructure technologies with very broad impacts on a variety of business operations. They are much more than crypto-currencies,” says Michael Whitt, co-head of Bennett Jones’ Blockchain and Fintech practice. “Ethereum is an exciting platform, and we’re delighted to be involved with the Alliance and its community.”

Bennett Jones’ Blockchain and Fintech team includes members from the firm’s capital markets, corporate, financial services, taxation, information technology and knowledge management groups. The team stays current on developing technologies, how these technologies intersect with the law, and the impact they will have on how legal services are delivered.

“Smart contracts can lead to a completely new model of financing that doesn’t even exist right now,” says Simon Grant co-head of Bennett Jones’ Blockchain and Fintech practice. “One of the areas that’s most suitable for smart contracts is equipment financing. For any sort of asset that’s bought on a monthly term or leased, it can be set up in the contract that if a payment isn’t made, the asset will automatically be switched off or neutralized. Then when the payment is made, the asset can be activated again. We’re already starting to see this in some parts of the world.”

For more information, view Bennett Jones’ Blockchain and Fintech video series:

Conrad Druzeta on Cryptocurrencies as Securities.

Michael Whitt on Distributed Ledger Technology.

Simon Grant on Smart Contracts and Realtime Rail and the Regulation of Blockchain.

About Enterprise Ethereum Alliance

Formed in February 2017, the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance connects Fortune 500 enterprises, startups, academics, and technology vendors with Ethereum subject matter experts. Building upon the only smart contract supporting blockchain currently running in real-world production—Ethereum—the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance defines enterprise-grade software capable of handling the most complex, highly-demanding applications at the speed of business.

About Bennett Jones

Bennett Jones is one of Canada's premier business law firms and home to over 380 lawyers and business advisors in nine offices. With deep experience in complex transactions and litigation matters, the firm is well equipped to advise foreign businesses and investors with Canadian ventures, and connect Canadian businesses and investors with opportunities around the world.

Media contact

Peter Zvanitajs
Senior Communications Advisor
Bennett Jones
T: 416 777 6128 | C: 437 999 6214
E: zvanitajsp@bennettjones.com
W: www.bennettjones.com

Key Contact

  • Simon  Grant Simon Grant, Partner

Celebrating our Centennial Chronicle

Related Links

  • Insights
  • Media
  • Subscribe

Related Expertise

  • Banks & Financial Institutions
  • Financial Services
  • Fintech
  • International Experience
  • International Experience
  • International Experience
  • United States of America

Recent Posts

Articles

U.S. and Canadian Cross-Border Transactions: U.S. Governing Law and Unique Deal Terms

May 29, 2023
       

Speaking Engagements

Building B.C.'s ESG Advantage

May 26, 2023
       

Articles

ESG: A Catalyst for Economic Development

May 25, 2023
       

In The News

Decarbonizing the Economy in Canadian Infrastructure

May 24, 2023
       

In The News

Rising Costs, Supply Issues and the Need for Skilled Labour in Infrastructure

May 24, 2023
       

In The News

Will Osler Joins Launch of Official Boot of Calgary Stampede

May 24, 2023
       

In The News

Striking the Balance Between Price Stability and Financial Stability

May 19, 2023
       

Speaking Engagements

Michelle Yung on The Future of Commercial Leasing

May 19, 2023
       

Announcements

Bennett Jones Excels in Benchmark 2023 Awards

May 15, 2023
       
Bennett Jones Centennial Footer
Bennett Jones Centennial Footer
About
  • Leadership
  • Diversity
  • Community
  • Innovation
  • Security
  • History
Offices
  • Calgary
  • Edmonton
  • Montréal
  • Ottawa
  • Toronto
  • Vancouver
  • New York
Connect
  • Insights
  • News
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Students
  • Alumni
Subscribe

Stay informed on the latest business and legal insights and events.

LinkedIn LinkedIn Twitter Twitter Vimeo Vimeo
© Bennett Jones LLP 2023. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
Logo Bennett Jones