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MoFounders Panel Event

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Morrison Foerster and Evelyn Partners are delighted to invite you to our MoFounders Fintech Event on Thursday 3 April.,Join...

Morrison Foerster and Evelyn Partners are delighted to invite you to our MoFounders Fintech Event on Thursday 3 April.<iframe allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/6bvn_x1DWS4" title="iframe"></iframe>Join Steven James and our panel of some of the leading voices in the sector, as they share their experiences of growing, scaling and taking global, a fintech business, including:<ul><li>Caroline Hadley, Head of Regional Corporate Development & Ventures, Visa</li><li>Cindy van Niekerk, Founder and CEO, Umazi</li><li>Gemma Godfrey, Fintech Founder, Board Director and Business Advisor</li><li>Harjas Singh, Founder, Shares</li></ul>Whether you're planning the international expansion of your fintech business or are simply curious about the future of fintech, you'll experience an evening packed full of valuable insights.This event is for you if you are an entrepreneur, investor, in-house counsel or other advisor. We hope you will join us.Register your interest at <a href="mailto:mofounders@mofo.com" target="_self">mofounders@mofo.com</a>.<hr>

MoFounders Panel Event

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Steven James is a Partner based in the London office of Morrison Foerster. He specialises in intellectual property disputes, and advises on the protection and exploitation of intellectual property, as well as a wide range of commercial matters.Steven practices in intellectual property, technology, and commercial law, with a focus on new technologies and innovation. His experience includes advising clients on both contentious and transactional intellectual property and commercial matters, predominantly in the tech, financial services, life sciences, retail and luxury goods, food & beverage, and media sectors. He advises on the full spectrum of IP rights, including trade marks, passing off, copyright, designs, patents and confidential information. Steven counsels clients on the development of IP and branding strategies and formulates strategic approaches for the licensing and enforcement of intellectual property rights. He also has experience of advising on commercial disputes, defamation and data protection matters.Steven has been recommended for Intellectual Property law and Technology, Media & Telecommunications Law multiple times over many years in the Legal 500 UK. He is described by clients as “an efficient, effective and an excellent, timely communicator … always on hand to provide confident and practical advice. His deep and technical knowledge of IP is unparalleled”. Steven has also been recognised in the 2025 edition of World Trademark Review’s 1000 guide, named a Trade Mark Star by Managing Intellectual Property and as a recommended individual by IAM Patent 1000.The Lawyer named Steven in its prestigious “Hot 100” list for 2025, recognising him for his commitment to utilising MoFo’s technology and ECVC experience to launch the MoFounders initiative, a community of business Founders, Entrepreneurs, Investors and Advisors. The Lawyer praised Steven’s “can-do approach to making deals and connections in the sector happen”.He has been awarded a Distinction in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Oxford. Steven has conducted matters before the U.K. Intellectual Property Office, the EU Intellectual Property Office, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, the High Court and Court of Appeal, and the Court of Justice of the European Union. Steven is a Solicitor-Advocate with rights of audience in all civil proceedings in the higher courts of England and Wales.<h4>Representative Experience</h4><ul><li>Representing Wirex Limited, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency platforms, in its successful trade mark infringement claim and damages inquiry against Cryptocarbon Global Ltd & Others (Wirex Limited v. Cryptocarbon Global Ltd & Others ([2021] EWHC 617 (IPEC) and [2022] EWHC 1161).</li><li>Novaerus Patents Limited v Quest International (UK) Limited [2016] EWHC 95 (Ch): Represented medical technology provider Novaerus in a summary judgment claim in a complex contractual dispute about the sale of various patents and subsequent cross-licensing.</li><li>Advising World-Leading COVID Rapid Test Provider Excalibur Healthcare Services on a ground-breaking Licence and Development Agreement with Sensyne Health in respect of the use of Excalibur’s lateral flow diagnostic tests with Sensyne Health’s clinical AI software, ‘MagnifEye’.</li><li>Acting for an electrical wholesaler in relation to a passing off claim against a nationwide chain. </li><li>Acting for a software development company on a High Court Technology & Construction Court dispute with a global retail bank.</li><li>Acting for the acquirers of the iconic Crombie coat brand, and advising on its global IP portfolio.</li><li>Acting for an electrical wholesaler on a passing off action against a listed building merchants’ business.</li><li>Acting for an online fashion retail platform in respect of parallel trade mark infringement proceedings in the U.K. and United States.</li><li>Interflora Inc v Marks & Spencer plc (Case C-323/09): Acting for Interflora on a high profile trade mark infringement case relating to the use of keywords on Google’s AdWords program, which was referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union.</li><li>Orion Publishing Group Ltd v Novel Entertainment Ltd [2012] EWHC 1951 (Ch): Acting for a major commercial publisher in relation to a dispute over a royalty verification clause in a publishing agreement.</li></ul>

Steven James

Partner

Jeff Silberman is co-chair of the firm’s Financial Services Group and co-lead of our Fintech practice, where he provides business-oriented and strategic advice to fintech companies and financial institutions.​​​Jeff’s focus includes bank/fintech partnerships, online and app-based financial services, digital assets and blockchain based payment systems, marketplace business models, and capital markets matters. He has extensive experience negotiating commercial and strategic relationships in highly regulated markets and is known for advising financial institutions and high-growth companies on the various legal, regulatory, and operational complexities associated with financial infrastructure, digital-first financial products, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and licensing arrangements, and the adoption and scale of online, app, and cloud-based business models.Jeff regularly acts as external general counsel advising early and growth stage startups, as well as incumbent fintech companies and financial institutions, on all areas affecting their organizations. He works closely with senior management and boards of directors to provide practical legal and business advice.Jeff has over two decades of legal experience in the fintech, financial services, and capital markets space, including nine years as in-house and general counsel at prominent fintech and financial services companies. Prior to joining Morrison Foerster, he served as global co-chair of the fintech practice at another leading international firm.<h4>Representative Experience</h4>Fintech<ul><li>Represent an international B2B e-commerce marketplace in transactional and regulatory matters related to integrated financial products and payment services.</li><li>Represented a public fintech company in its initial and additional bank sponsorships, including negotiation of program management, processor, network, and other third-party agreements and arrangements.</li><li>Represent a global cryptocurrency exchange in the creation and support of domestic and cross-border payment products.</li><li>Represent a U.S. challenger bank in the creation of its platform, including a sponsor bank, processing, card network, and other third-party service provider agreements.</li><li>Represented an app-based investment adviser in its formation and registration of an RIA and commercial relationships with executing broker-dealers and other supporting service providers.</li><li>Represented a fintech platform on its mobile solar loan application, loan origination, and forward flow facility.</li><li>Represented a leading fintech platform in the negotiation and execution of master service agreements integrating its technology with marketplace lenders and online small business lenders.</li><li>Represent various blockchain-based service providers, DAOs, and cryptocurrency exchanges in product creation and associated digital asset regulatory considerations.</li><li>Represented a SaaS platform in the creation and negotiation of master service agreements for broker-dealer, asset manager, and insurance company integrations.</li><li>Advised a digital asset advisory boutique in its regulatory matters.</li><li>Counseled an income share agreement platform in various forward flow purchase agreements.</li><li>Represented a point-of-sale finance platform offering consumer loans, deposit accounts, and debit cards in its sponsor bank relationship, processor, and related third-party service provider agreements.</li></ul><ul><li>Represented a cloud-based voice trading and data collection platform in strategic partnerships and integrations with a global investment bank and other broker-dealer integrations.</li><li>Negotiated strategic partnerships, joint ventures and service agreements on behalf of a leading Lending-as-a-Service fintech platform.</li><li>Counseled a digital point of sale finance platform in the creation of forward flow relationships for the sale of consumer loans.</li><li>Represented a leading fintech lending platform in the creation of forward flow facilities for consumer loans.﻿</li></ul>Financial Institutions<ul><li>Advised several U.S. banks on their core systems and various technology integrations to support direct and sponsored business units.</li></ul><ul><li>Represented a top U.S. bank in the structuring of its online wealth management platform, and related fintech integrations.</li><li>Represented several sponsor banks entering the Banking-as-a-Service space, including creation of program documentation, issuer processor arrangements, and other key third-party service provider arrangements.</li><li>Advised a growth stage venture capital fund in its Series C investment in a fintech platform focused on mortgage loan origination.</li><li>Counseled a U.S. bank evaluating digital lending business models, and the due diligence and creation of vendor relationships with fintech service providers.</li><li>Advised multiple credit unions in the origination and sale of digitally originated whole loans and loan participations.</li><li>Represent a broker-dealer in the expansion of its platform to enable online transactions.</li><li>Advised a growth stage venture capital fund in its Series B investment in a fintech platform offering AI solutions to reduce losses in auto, mortgage, and retail lending.</li><li>Represent a broker-dealer establishing its Capital Acquisition Broker registration.</li><li>Represented a New York based broker-dealer in fintech and trading system licensing matters.</li><li>Counseled a regional bank in the creation of its digital lending platform, including creation of related disclosure documents, loan agreements, and internal operating procedures.</li><li>Provided general counsel in corporate and strategic matters, to NY based broker dealer including establishment of new business lines, FINRA continuing membership applications, technology and other vendor licensing and service agreements, and general employment matters.</li></ul>

MoFounders Panel Event

03 Apr 2025 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM GMT