Winston & Strawn Adds Andrew M. Hinkes to Digital Assets Team in Miami

On Monday, October 14, 2024, international law firm Winston & Strawn announced the addition of Andrew (Drew) M. Hinkes as a partner in its Miami office. Hinkes will be part of the Transactions Department and a member of the firm’s Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology (DABT) Group.

Hinkes is recognized as a leading attorney in the digital assets sector. Prior to joining Winston & Strawn, he co-chaired the digital assets industry group at a major international law firm, where he provided extensive legal guidance on various topics related to digital assets. His expertise encompasses securities regulation, payment systems, money services business regulation, and secured transactions involving digital assets. Additionally, Hinkes focuses on the structuring and governance of Decentralized Finance (DeFi) protocols, anti-money laundering compliance, and the legalities surrounding non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and stablecoins.

In 2017, Hinkes was nominated by Coindesk as one of the Most Influential People in Blockchain. In addition to his legal practice, he is committed to educating future lawyers on the complexities of digital asset law. He serves as an Adjunct Associate Professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business and teaches law at the NYU School of Law. Since 2018, he has co-taught a course titled “Digital Currency, Blockchains and the Future of the Financial Services Industry” to JD/MBA students.

The announcement of Hinkes’ joining was made by Daniel Stabile and Kim Prior, co-chairs of the DABT Group, who expressed their enthusiasm about his appointment. They highlighted his extensive experience and deep understanding of both the technology and the legal issues surrounding digital assets, stating that his addition would significantly enhance the firm’s capabilities in this evolving field.

Hinkes himself expressed excitement about the opportunity to join Winston & Strawn. He noted his long-standing respect for the firm and its lawyers, having previously collaborated with Stabile and Prior on a textbook that is utilized in law schools globally to teach U.S. regulations concerning digital assets. He emphasized that joining the DABT Group would allow him to contribute further to the firm’s commitment to providing exceptional service to clients in the digital assets domain.