Gravel & Shea Announces New Innovative Financial Technology/Blockchain Practice Group
Gravel & Shea is pleased to announce the formation of a new legal group specializing in analysis and resolution of legal issues related to blockchain technology headed by David Thelander. The practice group expects to afford special focus on legal issues related to financial/technology and real estate applications of blockchain technology.
In that regard, Gravel & Shea is proud to disclose that it has been retained by Propy, which uses blockchain technology to enable the purchase of real estate on line. Gravel & Shea has also been retained by BlockNotary, which is engaged in the provision of blockchain enabled remote identity verification, blockchain enabled notarization and other related blockchain technology enabled products.
As part of its practice, Gravel & Shea is dedicated to assisting with the development and implementation of legislative and other legal solutions for blockchain related industries in the State of Vermont. Gravel & Shea's work in this area was recently highlighted: https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/officials-explore-use-of-secure-blockchain-technology/Content?oid=9196486
Gravel & Shea Welcomes Three New Attorneys
The team at Gravel & Shea is growing. We're happy to welcome three new attorneys who bring a broad array of skills and backgrounds, enhancing the breadth of issues where we can provide expert legal service.
In March of this year, Celeste Laramie joined our litigation department as an associate. Celeste came to us from the Committee for Public Counsel Services' Public Defender Division in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she worked for five years as a Staff Attorney. While there, she represented hundreds of indigent individuals charged with crimes ranging from simple misdemeanors to serious felonies. "We're excited to add Celeste to our litigation team," said Litigation Partner Jerry O'Neill. "After years as a public defender, she thinks well on her feet in difficult situations and writes persuasively. She'll bring new insight to a wide range of cases here."
Celeste received her JD from Boston College Law School.
Brent Lanoue became an associate in the corporate practice in August. Prior to joining Gravel & Shea, Brent worked for several years at a large law firm in Boston, where he provided advice on labor and employment issues, drafted and negotiated employment agreements, and counseled employers on compliance issues under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.
"It is great to have Brent here," said Corporate Partner Peter Erly. "Brent brings to us a strong background in employee benefits and in executive compensation, an area of the law not heavily practiced by other attorneys in Vermont. He will make a great addition to our team working in these and other business areas of our practice."
Brent attended Harvard Law School and clerked for the Honorable Brian L. Burgess at the Vermont Supreme Court.
David Thelander joined the corporate practice as special counsel in September. He also serves as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer of the U.S. affiliate of Par Equity LLP, a UK-based venture capital fund.
"We are very excited to have David join us," said Erly. "He has an extensive background in legal issues related to investment advisers and securities, including stints with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a prominent law firm and major investment firms. He has also been integrally involved in the legal developments related to the rapidly expanding use of blockchain technology in financial, real estate, and other business ventures."
David received his JD from Vermont Law School, after which he practiced law in Vermont for several years before moving to Washington, DC. He served as a Ward 6 Alderman in Burlington and as a Trustee for nine years for Vermont Law School, where he is currently a Fellow for the Center for Legal Innovation.
"With these two new attorneys in our corporate practice, we're expanding our expertise into some really interesting and dynamic areas of the law where not many local firms specialize," said Erly.