Andrew Hinkes, a prominent blockchain attorney, has joined Carlton Fields' blockchain and digital currency practice in Miami.

Hinkes joins of counsel while also serving as chief legal officer for investment tech firm Athena Blockchain and as an adjunct professor at both New York University's Stern School of Business and at the NYU School of Law. Before that, he spent nearly 11 years at Berger Singerman.

“We are thrilled that Drew is joining us,” said Carlton Fields' blockchain and digital currency practice co-chair Justin Wales. “He is one of the most sought-after experts in the field.”

Hinkes will primarily advise blockchain, financial technology and financial services clients in corporate matters, including regulatory compliance and capital formation. He also brings litigation experience to the practice, having worked on a variety of complex commercial matters including fraud, fiduciary representation, data privacy and cybersecurity cases.

Hinkes met Wales on the speaking circuit, often sharing panels. Hinkes said he was impressed with Wales' expertise and saw Carlton Fields as one of the few firms working in earnest on blockchain and digital currency.

“This firm is looking forward and letting young people lead,” Hinkes said. “In the near future, every lawyer will interact with this technology in the same way every lawyer has interacted with the internet.”

Hinkes is an active member of the digital currency community. As a contributing writer for CoinDesk and The Business Journals, Hinkes has written or been quoted in more than 50 articles on blockchain and associated technologies.