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Technology

Our lawyers are well-versed with helping businesses succeed with all their IT and Technology Law requirements and opportunities.

FLI's lawyers provide innovative and flexible solutions to all your Technology Law needs. Our expertise covers a range of Legal Tech issues, from AI and Blockchain to Network Sharing and Robotics; we've done it all. Our global, cross-border team of well-rounded lawyers cover both transactional and advisory work and have helped businesses on a wide range of large-scale commercial agreements and projects. We also typically find that businesses find our Technology Law services particularly useful as a gateway to launching in other jurisdictions.

Our leadership


Scott Blackmer

Scott Blackmer

Scott leads the Americas Management Team. Previously a partner at WilmerHale, Scott advises private and federal clients in technology and is regarded as a leading authority in intellectual property and international trade. He has served as an advisor on privacy, data protection and digital identity to various Fortune 500 entities as well as government organizations.

With extensive experience in all matters related to data protection and cybersecurity, in both consumer and human resources contexts, Scott is an expert in a wide range of legal issues that companies face in online and mobile business, especially across borders.

Phone: (+1) 801 953 3858

Email: sblackmer@first-law.com

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Qualifications

  • University of California at Berkeley, JD with honors, 1981
  • University of Nevada, Las Vegas, BA with honors, 1975
  • Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1970-73
  • Université de Grenoble, France, 1972

Languaes

  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Italian
  • German

Volker Schmits

Volker Schmits

Dr. Volker Schmits LL.M. assists media houses, broadcasters, content producers and investors in all legal questions relating to strategic and operational aspects. He participated in many media M&A transactions. In particular, Volker acquired in-depth knowledge of technical infrastructure projects combining media- and cyber/telecommunications law (including data protection considerations).

In his role as an Executive Industry Advisory at First Law International, Volker brings in his stellar corporate and entrepreneurial background. Before founding his own law firm SCHMITSPARTNERS, Volker was a partner at Amereller for fourteen years and the media firm SWK Schwarz for two years.

Phone: +356 993 33920

Email: vschmits@first-law.com

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Qualifications

  • University of Lausanne, 1990
  • Goethe University, 1992
  • LLM Media Law, The London School of Economics and Political Science, 1993
  • Sports Business Institute, Barcelona, 2018

Languaes

  • English
  • German
  • French

Technology insights


The Rise of Digital Banking
Technology

The Rise of Digital Banking

In 2015 a study made by FIS found that only 23% of customers believe their banks are fulfilling their expectations. Now, in the COVID-19 era, a recent survey conducted by PwC shows that even though consumers are happier with the banking services provided, the new risks of the industry are competitors and mostly non-traditional competitors. In fact, KPMG has stated that banks are encouraged to use channels that haven’t been prioritized in the past.

Starting with 1990, digitalization has been a constant in the financial industry. This trend that continues to grow is driven by new customer expectations. When today's consumer evaluates financial services, they don't compare banks anymore. They compare experiences. Thus, banks adopted new technologies to improve their services, and create smarter digital service offerings.

With a digital-first focus, the banking game has changed, as shown by the new disruptive proposals that appear in the industry. The latest of which, is virtual banking.

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The Future of Fintech Regulation Landscape
Technology

The Future of Fintech Regulation Landscape

It has been two years since the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) announced the “Fintech Charters” plan. Whilst it has faced great challenges, with the lawsuit filing against this motion, the OCC has persisted with its plan with the Second Circuit. It is important to examine the opportunities, challenges as well as impacts that the charters will have on the regulatory landscape of the fintech companies.

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Post COVID-19: Supply Chains & More
Technology

Post COVID-19: Supply Chains & More

Over the past forty years digitalisation coupled with the overpowering forces of globalisation have redefined virtually all aspects of our life, from how we communicate to how we consume. Adapting to these changes, worldwide manufacturing production has been reorganised into global value chains (GVCs) to satisfy the growing demand at any time, any place. Thus, supply chains have become inseparably interconnected, whereby raw materials and intermediate goods are shipped around the globe multiple times and then assembled in yet another location to be reexported to the final consumers in both developed and developing markets. As such, about 70% of international trade today involves GVCs, making them a true backbone of our global economy.

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Covid-19 & The Cloud: A Lasting Impact
Technology

Covid-19 & The Cloud: A Lasting Impact

FLI partners are meeting the needs of clients during the painful stages of COVID-19 quarantines and lockdowns, as well as the various phases of cautious re-opening of business. Sadly, this comes with occasional regression to shuttered plants and offices with renewed outbreaks of the novel coronavirus. In each of these phases, IT and communications play a critical role, bringing heightened cybersecurity risks and new privacy challenges that are pushing enterprises to make changes that will likely last beyond the current crisis.

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Legal Tech Trends Driving Industry Change
Technology

Legal Tech Trends Driving Industry Change

While traditionally in-house legal teams are slower to adopt change, the COVID-19 pandemic has started a tech revolution, with many departments embracing new technologies to aid revenue generation. More so, in 2021, the legal industry is projected to become a global market worth $1,011B. One of the slowest sectors to go digital is now coming online, driven by more technology-friendly legal departments.

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The Evolving Landscape of European Technology Regulation: Implications for Global Business
Technology

The Evolving Landscape of European Technology Regulation: Implications for Global Business

The European Union has emerged as an undeniable leader in the comprehensive regulation of the digital sphere. Its approach towards privacy, dominant tech platforms, online content moderation, and the development of artificial intelligence has the potential to influence regulatory trends across the globe. From small businesses to multinational corporations, any entity operating within the EU market or interacting with EU citizens faces a rapidly evolving set of complex requirements.

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Learn more about our insights in this industry and others.

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