Zoe Bellars is an associate in the firm’s Complex Litigation & Dispute Resolution practice and member of the firm’s Digital Currency & Blockchain Technology practice. She also works closely with the firm’s FinTech practice. Her practice focuses on complex business litigation and civil and criminal investigations on behalf of technology companies (including fintech, blockchain, and digital asset companies), investments funds, investors, and individuals.
Zoe’s experience includes the defense of corporations and individuals in both civil and criminal matters, including securities fraud and corporate governance violations. Zoe also regularly defends clients in matters involving allegations of breaches of contract or fiduciary duties, business torts, and fraud.
Zoe counsels companies and individuals involved in government investigations, including investigations brought by the SEC, DOJ, CFTC, CFPB, and state securities regulators. Much of Zoe’s government investigations practice involves technology clients in the digital currency and blockchain industry. Zoe also advises clients in this space on regulatory and compliance issues, including with respect to digital asset transactions and platforms, decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and related securities law and regulatory matters.
Zoe maintains an active pro bono practice, including matters involving civil rights and prisoners’ rights, asylum, and special education advocacy.
Professional Experience
While in law school, Zoe was a legal extern at the US Securities and Exchange Commission in the Enforcement Division. She also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Kiyo A. Matsumoto of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Prior to attending law school, from 2014 to 2016, Zoe was a litigation paralegal at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, where she worked primarily on complex securities litigation matters and government investigations.
Credentials
Education
JD2019
Georgetown University Law Center
BA2014
University of Virginia
Admissions
Bars
- New York
- District of Columbia
- Texas
Publications
- Co-Author, “DAO Governance Token Holders Can Be Held Responsible for Security Incident” Westlaw Today, May 1, 2023
- Co-author, “Weighing Litigation Vs. Arbitration Amid Court Disruptions,” Law360, October 27, 2020
- Co-author, “CBD You in Court: Consumer Class Actions Involving Hemp-Derived CBD Products,” Cannabis Industry Journal, August 18, 2020