Legal Community Hub Proposal
Short Description of the Topic/Cause
The Legal Community Hub will serve as a dedicated space for legal professionals, scholars, and enthusiasts to explore the intersection of blockchain technology and law. This hub will foster meaningful discussions, knowledge-sharing, and networking opportunities tailored for those interested in legal frameworks, governance models, and regulatory developments in Web3. By providing a welcoming and intellectually stimulating environment, we aim to bridge the gap between the legal and blockchain communities, empowering legal practitioners to navigate the evolving digital landscape.
Motivation and Rationale
Last year, at Devcon, various hubs emerged to foster focused conversations around topics like governance, community building, and protocol development. However, one area that remained underrepresented was the legal dimension of Web3. Last year’s Devcon saw strong interest and engagement around legal topics, but lacked a dedicated space to continue and deepen those conversations.
The Legal Community Hub is a response to that clear demand. This initiative is led by participants of the 2024 Devcon Legal Scholars program —a group of legal scholars and practitioners who experienced firsthand the value of that opportunity. Inspired by the impact it had on their professional growth and the meaningful discussions it sparked, they now seek to give back to the community by contributing to and enriching the legal discourse in Web3.
This hub builds on that momentum to create a dedicated platform for legal minds to gather, share knowledge, and co-create the future of blockchain law. It is rooted in the belief that the legal layer of Web3 deserves as much attention and innovation as its technical and governance layers.
By providing a space where legal professionals and blockchain experts can collaborate, we aim to foster interdisciplinary dialogue that addresses key challenges such as the uncertain regulatory landscape, the enforceability of smart contracts, and the implications of decentralized governance models.
Through panels, debates, and interactive workshops, participants will gain practical tools to navigate the evolving relationship between law and blockchain. This hub not only amplifies legal voices within the Ethereum ecosystem but also contributes to the development of more robust, inclusive, and forward-thinking legal frameworks for the decentralized world.
Outline of Offerings to Devconnect Attendees
The Legal Community Hub will maximize its space by offering:
- Panel Discussions & Debates: Engaging sessions featuring legal scholars, practitioners, and industry experts.
- Workshops: Practical sessions to explore legal frameworks, compliance strategies, and decentralized governance models.
- Networking Opportunities: Facilitated interactions between legal professionals, developers, and entrepreneurs.
- Knowledge Sharing: Open forums for legal debates, case studies, and policy discussions.
- Collaboration Opportunities: Connecting Devconnect attendees with legal professionals to foster interdisciplinary projects.
Community Hub Program & Opening Hours
The Legal Community Hub will be open during the main venue’s operating hours. The planned program includes:
Proposed Topics for Discussions & Debates
- Regulatory Trends in Blockchain and Crypto
- Updates from jurisdictions worldwide
- The impact of MiCA, EUCI, and other global frameworks
- Legal implications of smart contracts and DAOs
- How to build your project on LATAM? Which regulations should you consider?
- Decentralized Dispute Resolution & On-Chain Governance
- The role of blockchain-based arbitration (e.g., Kleros)
- Legal enforceability of on-chain rulings
- Self-regulatory models vs. traditional regulatory compliance
- The Future of Legal Education in the Age of Web3
- How blockchain can transform legal education and research
- The role of AI in legal tech and contract analysis
- Growth of Legal Frameworks for Web3 & DeFi
- The evolving role of legal professionals in Web3 startups
- DeFi regulations and compliance strategies
- Legal Risks & Challenges in Blockchain Development
- Privacy and data protection (GDPR, cross-border concerns)
- Intellectual property rights in NFTs and tokenized assets
Proposal Overview – Interactive Debate Space
The core objective of this space is to foster meaningful dialogue and collective reflection among attendees. Designed as an open and inclusive forum, the setup encourages active participation rather than passive listening.
At the center of the experience is a moderator, who will introduce a key topic or question to the group. Rather than delivering a traditional presentation, the moderator’s role is to facilitate and guide the discussion, inviting the audience to share their views, experiences, and perspectives.
Participants will be seated in a “U”-shaped layout to promote eye contact, openness, and fluid conversation. The format is intentionally flexible to adapt to the tone and depth of each discussion.
This setup transforms the space into a collaborative environment, ideal for:
- Generating constructive debates
- Exploring diverse viewpoints
- Building community through dialogue
- Encouraging critical thinking and civic engagement
While the exchange may naturally lead to some form of shared conclusion or takeaway, this is not a rigid requirement. The true value lies in the process of listening, expressing, and reflecting together.
Event Structure – Week of Dialogue & Debate
Dates: November 17–22
Format: Two debate blocks per day (Morning & Afternoon), Monday through Thursday.
Friday: Collective session to revisit the most impactful topics and facilitate a concluding discussion.
Each session will be structured as an interactive forum, opened by a moderator and centered around contributions from participants. The format promotes open dialogue, cross-disciplinary input, and exploration of practical challenges.
Monday, November 17 – Foundations of Decentralization
Morning Session: Understanding DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations).
Exploring governance models, decision-making frameworks, legal personhood, and challenges of collective ownership. What happens when organizations no longer have a central authority?
Afternoon Session: Web3 & Smart Contracts – Beyond Code as Law
Discussion on how smart contracts are reshaping the legal landscape. How do we ensure enforceability, trust, and recourse when code governs transactions?
Tuesday, November 18 – Assets and Ownership in the Digital Age
Morning Session: Tokenization of Real-World Assets (RWA)
Debating legal, financial, and technical implications of representing physical assets on-chain. How do we manage rights, transfers, and compliance?
Afternoon Session: NFTs and Intellectual Property
Delving into the intersection of NFTs, copyrights, trademarks, and licensing. Who owns what, and how do creators protect (or lose) their rights in a tokenized world?
Wednesday, November 19 – Identity, Responsibility and Risk
Morning Session: Digital Identity & Digital Signature
How do we define, verify, and protect identity in decentralized ecosystems? Legal frameworks, cryptographic tools, and ethical implications.
Afternoon Session: Legal Liability of Developers
To what extent are developers responsible for the code they write? Analyzing precedents, risks, and the line between creation and culpability.
Thursday, November 20 – Legal Infrastructure for the Ecosystem
Morning Session: Decentralized Finance (DeFi) & Regulation
Navigating the gray zones between financial innovation and regulatory oversight. What are the legal obligations of protocols, platforms, and users?
Afternoon Session: Startup Legal Architecture: Founders, Employees & Legal Counsel
Best practices and common pitfalls in setting up Web3 startups. Equity, token incentives, governance, and employment relationships in a crypto-native environment.
Friday, November 21 – Collective Reflection & Final Synthesis
Closing Session: The Most Relevant Topic – Revisited
Based on participant input throughout the week, we will reconvene to address the topic that sparked the most engagement and debate. The aim is to dive deeper, capture insights, and—if possible—arrive at shared principles or open questions that merit further exploration.
Proposed Guest Speakers & Contributors
- Devcon Legal Scholars (2024 Cohort)
- EUCI Representatives
- Crecimiento Legal Department
- Legal Experts from Blockchain and Crypto Organizations
- Academics and Policy-Makers Specializing in Web3 Regulation
- Leaders in Decentralized Governance and On-Chain Dispute Resolution
Organizers & Responsible Individuals
The following individuals will oversee and be responsible for the Legal Community Hub:
Maria Fiorentini
Role: Co-organizer
Bio: Maria is a passionate law student from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who expects to graduate in October 2025. She works as Legal Intern at Lawi and as CEO in Mujeres en Crypto to coordinate the team toward achieving our vision: fostering female inclusion and leadership on Web3. She was 2024 Devcon Legal Scholar. She is also co-founder of Mujeres en Derecho, and is an assistant teacher on two subjects at Universidad Austral, where she transmits her passion for law and technology. Besides, she has done a fellowship at Kleros, a decentralized justice platform, where she intended to create a precedent system for the Dapp. In her spare time, she loves writing articles on law and technology, as well as creating content on her social media on that same subject.
Email: mariaangelafiorentini@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-fiorentini/
Twitter: @meryfiorentini_
Instagram: @meryfiorentini
TG: @meryfiorentini
Gabriel Coronel Lavecchia
Role: Co-organizer
Bio: Gabriel is lawyer and professor passionate about the intersection of law, technology, and finance, with a strong focus on Web3, blockchain, and digital identity. As co-founder of Lucero Labs and a university lecturer, he drives the development of innovative solutions that redefine how individuals and organizations express their will in the digital realm. His approach is dynamic and collaborative, fostering dialogue, critical thinking, and innovation in every setting he engages in. Through his work, he strives to bridge the gap between the crypto revolution and digital signatures, helping professionals, businesses, and regulators build a more secure, accessible, and decentralized ecosystem.
Email: gclavecchia@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gclavecchia/
Twitter: @GCLavecchia
Instagram: @gclavecchia
TG: @gclavecchia
Enzo Esteban Donato Brun
Role: Volunteer
Bio: Enzo is a lawyer specializing in contract and digital law, with a professional focus on the digital transformation of Argentina’s legal sector. As co-founder and director of Estudio Jurídico Digital (EJD), he works to redefine access to legal services through innovative digital platforms. His extensive experience spans specialized legal practice, university teaching at the Faculty of Law (UBA), authorship of multiple academic publications, and business leadership in legaltech. Enzo is particularly interested in the intersection of blockchain technology, AI, and legal frameworks, having published works on smart contracts, digital signatures, data protection, and the legal implications of emerging technologies. His recent completion of a Diploma in Law, Technology and Business at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella further underscores his commitment to advancing legal knowledge in the Web3 ecosystem.
Email: edonatobrun@ejdigital.com.ar
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/edonatobrun
Costanza Bianchi
Role: Volunteer
Bio: Costanza is a lawyer with 13 years of experience in the traditional banking sector. She is dedicated to advising companies on issues related to crypto assets, blockchain, and tokenization. She has participated as a speaker in different events and congresses representing Mujeres en Crypto. She is co-author of Blockchain & Derecho, Volume IV, and has published articles related to crypto in digital newspapers. Also, she is a professor at Aden Business School in the Master’s program of Blockchain and tokenization. Besides, Costanza participates in the radio show program Masweb3, dedicated to telling the news in the web3 ecosystem. She is passionate about the crypto world and the possibilities that blockchain offers.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/costanza-bianchi-92676aa8
Teresa Carballo
Role: Volunteer
Bio: Teresa is a Partner at Pacífica Legal, a law firm specializing in advisory services for blockchain-related projects. Her practice focuses on Corporate and Preventive Law. She is an active participant in on-chain governance, and her current area of interest is the legal responsibilities associated with token delegation in governance systems. She was Devcon Legal Scholar in 2024.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresacarballo?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Facundo Trotz
Role: Volunteer
Bio: Facundo is a lawyer specializing in web3, and his current role at Kleros, a decentralized dispute resolution system, involves crafting the ‘laws’ that guide its jurors, assisting governments in leveraging Kleros to decentralize justice, and formulating governance frameworks for associated DAOs. He was Devcon Legal Scholar in 2024.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/facundotrotz?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Yazareth Sánchez
Role: Volunteer
Bio: Yazareth is a Mexican tech lawyer and compliance specialist with 7 years of experience in fintech, digital ownership, and financial regulation. For the past 2+ years, she has advised Web3 and blockchain projects across Latin America, providing strategic legal support on decentralized technologies, digital identity, and regulatory frameworks. She is the CEO of The Woman Way and part of the core team at HER DAO México, where she supports women-led initiatives in the crypto space. Yazareth is passionate about building inclusive and resilient crypto ecosystems through legal innovation, privacy advocacy, and community-driven collaboration. She was Devcon Legal Scholar in 2024.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yazareth-sanchez-b36701b2?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Sneha
Role: Volunteer
Bio: I’m a lawyer turned technologist from India. I practiced law in the High Court here for a year. During this time, I was instrumental in the right to the internet being recognised as a fundamental right in India. My mission has been to make justice more accessible. I pursued my masters in international arbitration from NUS. After that, I started focusing on (research + building tools), leveraging blockchain for decentralised dispute resolution. Now, I’m building a tool for artists to help protect their copyright and make dispute resolution more affordable/accessible. In addition to this, I take workshops for creators on copyright protection with tech. I also take classes and develop easy to understand resources for the legal community to better use and integrate tech for accessible justice. He was Devcon Legal Scholar in 2024.
llija Rilakovic
Role: Volunteer
Bio: llija is a legal professional with expertise in business development, strategy, and innovation. He has a strong background in managing complex projects and fostering growth in dynamic environments. His areas of expertise include business law, tax law, and digital asset law (cryptocurrencies, NFTs, etc.). Ilija is also one of the organizers of the ETH Belgrade conference. He was Devcon Legal Scholar in 2024.
Alison Berbetty
Role: Volunteer
Bio: Alison, a lawyer and system engineer that also has a role as an activist, is part of the Ethereum Bolivia Core Team and co-founder of Ethereum Santa Cruz. She was an Ethereum Foundation Devcon Legal Scholar in 2024 and leads projects that promote self-regulation, decentralization, and financial inclusion through blockchain, with a focus on emerging economies and excluded communities.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonberbetty/
Verber Souza
Role: Volunteer
Bio: Verber is a Brazilian lawyer specializing in complex humanitarian and socio-environmental crises. Project Manager; Researcher in Blockchain & Web 3 regulation for real solutions. Founder of Blockchain in Schools and ColaBh. Legal Chief of Ekonavi. Awarded by Brazil’s National Treasury and G20 with tokenized nature-based assets solutions. He was Devcon Legal Scholar in 2024.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verber-souza/
Bill Okello
Role: Volunteer
Bio: Bill is a Legal Counsel at Steakhouse Financial, where he bridges the gap between Traditional Finance (TradFi) and Decentralized Finance (DeFi) for Crypto Native Companies and DAOs. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, he specializes in blockchain, virtual assets regulation, and corporate law. As Director at the Virtual Assets Chamber, Africa’s leading virtual asset policy think tank, Bill advocates for innovative regulatory frameworks to foster growth in the sector. A graduate of the Kenya School of Law and the University of Nairobi (LLB), he brings deep expertise in crypto regulatory affairs to his work. He was Devcon Legal Scholar in 2024.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-okello-48b441169/
Basil Gilbert Ogolla
Role: Volunteer
Bio: Basil is a leading Crypto Legal Strategist and market intelligence expert, acknowledged for his work in virtual asset policy and DeFi regulation in Africa. As Director at the Virtual Assets Chamber of Commerce, he has played a key role in shaping Africa’s digital asset frameworks, including Kenya’s Virtual Assets Bill and National Policy on Virtual Assets. Basil has advised regulators, stablecoin issuers, exchanges, and DeFi protocols across Africa and Europe, with deep expertise in stablecoins, GameFi, TradFi-DeFi integration, real-world asset tokenization, DAO governance and crypto-banking, . He was a pioneering Ethereum Foundation Devcon Legal Scholar and is the voice behind The Fortible Project, a LinkedIn newsletter unpacking DeFi legal and policy trends. At the intersection of law, finance, and emerging tech, Basil is driving forward-thinking conversations and regulatory innovation in the global digital economy. He was Devcon Legal Scholar in 2024.
Kyle
Role: Volunteer
Bio: Kyle has been building out the futuretech product side of Ixian. The for-profit aspects of this are still in stealth. But most of all, he believes law is a public good, and therefore spends much of his time developing not-for-profit legal public goods through his roles as Director of LexClinic and President of DAO Coalition. He is the Legal Engineering Curator at Hats Protocol and runs the Legal Engineering tracks at most of the Zuzalu-inspired pop-ups such as ZuVillage and Vitalia. Kyle is a Devcon Legal Scholar, a MegaZu attendee and brought in almost $400,000 in grants funding during his time at LexDAO. Kyle has a background in enterprise music rights management, and is an avid polymath, focusing on scaling the legal engineering profession via scientific & mathematical rigor, automation & disintermediation, and code-is-law. He was Devcon Legal Scholar in 2024.
Community Standards & Guidelines
To ensure a focused and professional environment, we will implement the following guidelines:
- No promotional content or marketing of specific tokens or projects.
- All discussions and panels will maintain a neutral, informative stance on legal topics.
- Respectful and constructive debate will be encouraged to foster a collaborative environment.
Technical Requirements – Exhibition Stand Setup for Dialogue & Debate Space
Stand Dimensions: 3m x 6m (18 m²)
Purpose: Create an open and functional environment for moderated debates and conversations, arranged in a “U” shape with audience participation.
Furniture:
- 12 conference chairs: comfortable, stackable, with backrest, neutral color (black, grey or white).
- 2 moderator armchairs: modern design, comfortable, with armrests (for the presenters/moderators).
- 1 low side table (optional): between the chairs, for materials or devices.
Sound & Lighting:
- Sound system suitable for small-medium space:
- 2 powered speakers with stands or tripods.
- Basic mixing console (minimum 4 channels).
- 2 wireless microphones:
- Preferably lavalier (clip-on) or headset for the moderators.
- Compatible receivers included.
- 1 wireless handheld microphone: for audience Q&A or roaming use.
- All necessary cables, connectors, and power supply for full operation.
- Directional LED warm white lighting (optional): recommended if ambient lighting is insufficient (2–3 fixtures suggested).
Collaboration Tools:
- 1 whiteboard and/or flip chart with stand
- Set of markers/felt-tip pens in various colors
- Eraser or cleaning cloth/spray
Infrastructure & Other:
- Basic electrical setup:
- 1 power strip (6 sockets) with surge protection.
- Access to a nearby power outlet (to be requested from the event organizer).
- Carpet or platform (optional): to visually define the area and improve acoustics and comfort.
- Lightweight partitions or modular backdrops (optional): for more visual and acoustic privacy if in an open space.
Additional Suggestions (optional and budget-dependent):
- Video recording or livestream setup (fixed camera, tripod, technician).
- Small water or coffee station for guests.
- Registration desk or sign-in station (if pre-registration is expected).
- On-site technical staff during the event for support.
- Decorative plants to enhance visual warmth of the space.
Closing Statement – Why We’re the Right Team for This Hub
At a time when Web3 is reshaping not only technology but also governance, finance, and civil structures, the Legal Community Hub emerges as an essential space within Devconnect—one designed to bring clarity, structure, and long-term vision to the decentralized ecosystem.
What sets this proposal apart is not only the depth of the topics we’ve curated, but the unique approach we bring to the table:
- A highly participatory, dynamic, and inclusive format that transforms legal debate into a collaborative experience.
- A diverse and intergenerational team of organizers with deep roots in both the legal and blockchain communities, ready to bridge worlds and foster understanding.
- A carefully selected list of speakers and thought leaders, bringing credibility, regional relevance, and fresh insights to every session.
We are here to listen, guide, connect and co-create the legal foundations Web3 needs to grow and thrive. From decentralized governance to regulatory frameworks, from digital identity to tokenized assets—this Hub is where legal innovation meets community intelligence.
Choosing us means choosing a team with:
- Proven passion and field experience.
- A commitment to neutral, non-promotional dialogue in a space that often lacks clarity.
- The capability to execute professionally and inclusively, on every level—from technical production to content curation.
In a landscape that urgently needs legal clarity and cross-disciplinary conversation, we are ready to lead that conversation—together with the global Devconnect community.
Let’s build the legal infrastructure Web3 deserves.
Here’s a Google Doc with the proposal if you prefer to read it from there: Legal Community Hub Proposal for Devconnect - Google Docs
Encuentra la versión en español abajo. )
