The convergence of industries including life sciences and financial services with advancements in tech is creating a plethora of novel IP legal needs, said Richard Cruz, a 16-year DLA Piper IP partner who was brought on by Duane Morris this week.

Cruz, a Philadelphia lawyer who started practicing law at IP boutique Volpe and Koenig, said financial institutions have become "quasi-technology companies" at the same time as tech platforms seek to branch out into financial services. The emergence of cryptocurrencies as decentralized digital assets have spawned a new contingency of platforms facilitating crypto transactions in his client base.