Two generations of law students at the University of Kansas knew Suzanne Valdez as the professor who taught them Professional Responsibility and Prosecutorial Ethics. Kansas lawyers know her as a special prosecutor, a judge pro tem, and the district attorney who led Douglas County from 2021 to 2025. The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas, one of four federally recognized tribes in the state, knows her as its Attorney General. Nearly three decades of public service, legal education, and courtroom practice have produced all of those descriptions, and a single conviction sits beneath them: the legal system works best when it accounts for the people inside it.

Her academic career began in 1999, when she joined the University of Kansas School of Law, and lasted through 2021, more than twenty years as a Clinical Professor of Law. Her teaching load included State Court Practice along with the ethics courses, and she ran workshops in deposition skills and expert witness examination. Administratively she directed the Criminal Prosecution Field Placement Program, the Externship Clinic, and the LL.M. program in Elder Law, while students at the Douglas County Legal Aid Society practiced under her supervision. Recognition followed: the Connell Teaching Professorship in 2019, two Immel Awards for Teaching Excellence, and the presidency of the KU University Senate in 2019 and 2020.

The scholarship matched the syllabus. Suzanne Valdez and Professor R. Michael Cassidy co-authored the third edition of Prosecutorial Ethics, published by West Publishing in the American Casebook Series. University of California Press published Fighting Mad: Resisting the End of Roe v. Wade in 2024 with a chapter of hers in it. Her law review and bar journal writing includes a policy paper on low-level, non-violent female drug offenders in Kansas, and she compiled Practice in Kansas, a course text that covers civil procedure, landlord-tenant law, consumer protection, and family law. Roughly 100 professional presentations sit alongside the publications, and a new book drawn from her years in prosecution is in progress.

One faculty role pointed toward everything that came later. From 2015 until her departure in 2021, Valdez was the law school's ombudsperson, mediating conflict among faculty, students, and staff. The assignment convinced her that alternatives to litigation deserve a larger place in the justice system, particularly in how that system responds to non-violent crime.

Practice never stopped during the academic years. She had started at Kansas Legal Services in 1996, representing low-income clients in Kansas City, Kansas, across civil and criminal matters and in federal disability and housing litigation. She served twice as a special prosecutor in the Wyandotte County District Attorney's Office, from 2005 to 2008 and from 2017 to 2020, handling high-level felony conflict of interest cases. In 2008 she took the bench as a pro tem district judge in Douglas County, presiding over the juvenile offender, post-decree family law, and criminal first appearance dockets. Her Of Counsel position at Smith Legal, LLC, ran from 2009 through 2021 and involved civil matters in Kansas state court for private and pro bono clients.

She gave the state a great deal of unpaid time as well. Suzanne Valdez chaired the Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board for eight years, overseeing a compensation fund that averaged roughly $3 million annually for survivors of violent crime. Two Kansas Attorneys General nominated her to the chairmanship, and three times the Kansas Senate confirmed her unanimously. She chaired the Kansas Continuing Legal Education Commission, sat on the Kansas Judicial Council's Family Law Advisory Committee and the Kansas Supreme Court's Access to Justice Committee, and served on American Bar Association law school accreditation teams.

Then came the elected office. As District Attorney for Douglas County, Kansas, from 2021 to 2025, she was the chief law enforcement officer for roughly 125,000 residents, with an office of about 50 employees and a budget of approximately $2 million. She directed those limited resources toward violent crime, including sexual assault of children and adults, intimate partner violence, and gun offenses. With fentanyl deaths climbing across Kansas, she prosecuted those who distributed it, a priority shaped by loss. A fentanyl poisoning death in 2019 had taken her brother, Christopher Valdez, a U.S. Army veteran. She helped secure $1 million in funding to establish a Veterans Treatment Court in Douglas County, working alongside retired Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss, and she supported alternatives to incarceration, community outreach and crime prevention, and services for victims of crime.

Restorative justice became her full-time work next. From May 2025 to May 2026 she was a restorative justice mediator, facilitator, and trainer at the Center for Conflict Resolution in Kansas City, Missouri. The role had her mediating interpersonal conflict, facilitating community accountability boards and victim offender dialogues, and co-leading the organization's conflict resolution trainings. She served as its People and Culture Administrator too, handling internal staff matters through the same restorative lens. At the heart of the discipline is one observation, that harmed people harm people, and a method built on dignity, acknowledgment, and accountability as the route to restoring everyone involved in a conflict. Its roots lie in the practices of indigenous tribes before colonization, which links it directly to the Indian law work she does today.

As Attorney General, Suzanne Valdez represents the Kickapoo Tribe as a sovereign nation. The Tribe's economic development plan takes much of her current attention, and she keeps sovereignty and self-determination at the forefront of every agreement. She has also established Suzanne Valdez, LLC, Restorative Justice Law and Mediation, a Kansas practice she is building as she continues her commitment to Indian law.

Her community record is long. Her board service includes Douglas County CASA and the Douglas County Child Advocacy Center, which serves children who have been abused or neglected. She has volunteered with LINK, the Lawrence interdenominational nutrition kitchen, led a unit at Hidden Valley Girl Scout Camp, worked with Mentoring4Success in support of women returning to their communities after incarceration, and served as an admissions field representative for the United States Military Academy at West Point. Volunteering during her year in Kansas City included support for transgender women in the Missouri Department of Corrections and on probation and parole. March 2024 brought a Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition of Women's History Month from the Lawrence Army Recruiting Station, given after she directed her office to clear outstanding tickets and petty misdemeanors for Army recruits so they could report to basic training.

She earned her J.D. at the University of Kansas School of Law in 1996, serving on the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy and receiving the Walter Hiersteiner Outstanding Service Award. Her B.S. in business administration, awarded with Highest Distinction, is from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Kansas and Missouri both license her, and she is admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

She lives in Lawrence, Kansas, where family is the center of her life, from her parents to her grown children and the wider circle she has helped raise. Marathons are in the past, but she still runs. She reads historical fiction, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic, and she follows Jayhawk sports closely.

Two generations of law students at the University of Kansas knew Suzanne Valdez as the professor who taught them Professional Responsibility and Prosecutorial Ethics. Kansas lawyers know her as a special prosecutor, a judge pro tem, and the district ... Show more

Holly DeNeve is an Indiana attorney whose career has centered on child welfare law. For more than ten years, she served at the Indiana Department of Child Services, working on critical cases that shaped the lives of children and families, particularly in St. Joseph County. Her work was defined by thoughtful preparation, steady focus, and a commitment to doing what was best for children, often without public recognition but with lasting impact.

She graduated from New Prairie High School in 2004 and earned a degree in political science with a minor in environmental studies in 2008, graduating magna cum laude. In 2011, she earned her Juris Doctor and passed the Indiana Bar Exam. From the beginning, she was drawn to public service, prioritizing the needs of vulnerable populations over private practice.

Holly began her legal career at the Department of Child Services as a temporary legal assistant before becoming a full-time staff attorney in St. Joseph County. She handled cases involving children in need of services, adoptions, guardianships, and termination of parental rights. Her responsibilities included drafting motions, preparing discovery, interviewing witnesses, and representing cases in court. Her calm demeanor and careful attention to detail earned her respect within the legal community.

Throughout her time in the department, Holly worked closely with judges, prosecutors, and caseworkers, staying informed on developments in statutes and case law. She was invited to present at several continuing legal education seminars, where she was recognized for her practical understanding and communication skills. In 2016, she briefly stepped away from the department but returned within months, continuing her service until September 2025, demonstrating her dedication to the work.

Beyond the courtroom, Holly and her husband actively supported their local community through donations and contributions to programs benefiting children and families. Her early legal experience assisting domestic violence survivors during law school strengthened her belief in accessible legal support.

Holly DeNeve now looks forward to launching a solo practice focused on mediation, guardian ad litem work, and child protection, continuing the same principles that have guided her throughout her legal journey.

Holly DeNeve is an Indiana attorney whose career has centered on child welfare law. For more than ten years, she served at the Indiana Department of Child Services, working on critical cases that shaped the lives of children and families, particularl... Show more

Dy is the owner of Edington Advisory Group, providing fractional CISO services for defense contractors, as well as CMMC advisory and preparation services. She served as Director of Information Security for BlueHalo leading their successful CMMC program. During her tenure at BlueHalo, Dy spearheaded international travel policy and implementation, inter-departmental process development, oversaw the development of a proactive cybersecurity program focused on M&A, established supply chain support for subcontractors, and built the InfoSec branch of the Cyber team. Dy then served as Director of Information Security for AV, leading the CMMC-related integration post acquisition. She has a MS in Information Technology Management, is a CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA) and CISM. Prior to coming into IT/Cyber, Dy spent 20 years in Classical Education, where she managed regulatory obligations for cottage schools and cooperatives, developed curricula, led community education program development, and taught high school science. Her favorite Stoic is Marcus Aurelius.

Dy is the owner of Edington Advisory Group, providing fractional CISO services for defense contractors, as well as CMMC advisory and preparation services. She served as Director of Information Security for BlueHalo leading their successful CMMC progr... Show more

Kedar Pai is a regulatory affairs leader with over 10 years of experience guiding medical device and IVD products through global regulatory pathways. He currently serves as Senior Manager, Regulatory Operations at Intuitive Surgical, where he has led technical documentation efforts for global registrations, served as the regulatory point of contact for third-party (EU MDR and MDSAP) and FDA audits, and built dashboards and KPI tracking tools to accelerate market release. Previously, at Intersect ENT (later acquired by Medtronic), he managed PMA supplements and annual reports for Class III devices, led a successful MDR Full Quality System audit with BSI, and developed US and EU regulatory strategies for manufacturing changes and expanded intended uses. At BD Biosciences, he led the implementation of EU IVDR (2017/746) and obtained the first worldwide Class C EU IVDR certification by BSI — an achievement recognized with a company-wide award.

Kedar's regulatory expertise spans the full product lifecycle, from technical file authoring and clinical evaluation reports to change management, audits, and supporting submissions to agencies including the FDA, Health Canada, ANVISA, TFDA, MHLW, and TGA, gained across roles at Abbott Vascular and Penumbra, Inc. He holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and an MS in Regulatory Science from the University of Southern California, and is an active member of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS). He brings prior speaking experience to the table as well, having presented as a session leader on EU IVDR: An industry perspective at RAP Convergence 2018, Vancouver.

Kedar Pai is a regulatory affairs leader with over 10 years of experience guiding medical device and IVD products through global regulatory pathways. He currently serves as Senior Manager, Regulatory Operations at Intuitive Surgical, where he has led... Show more

I over 25 år har jeg arbeidet med å forstå, håndtere og redusere risiko i møte med stadig mer komplekse trusler. Erfaring fra politi, forsvar, konsulentvirksomhet og finanssektoren har gitt meg et bredt perspektiv på hvordan etterretning kan omsettes til bedre beslutninger og reelle strategiske fortrinn.

Min styrke ligger i skjæringspunktet mellom etterretning, sikkerhet og forretningsforståelse. Jeg bistår beslutningstakere og ledere med å forstå hva som faktisk kan påvirke virksomheten, skille vesentlig informasjon fra støy og ta beslutninger på et bedre grunnlag. Det siste 15 årene har jeg særlig arbeidet med etterretning, risikostyring og bekjempelse av finansiell kriminalitet og sanksjonsomgåelser.

I over 25 år har jeg arbeidet med å forstå, håndtere og redusere risiko i møte med stadig mer komplekse trusler. Erfaring fra politi, forsvar, konsulentvirksomhet og finanssektoren har gitt meg et bredt perspektiv på hvordan etterretning kan omsettes... Show more

Marko Rakar (1972) is a Chief executive manager of the consulting company MRAK services ltd headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia.

Rakar has a lifelong experience in working/writing for media as well as dealing with the media. He combines his media knowledge with new technologies and was one of the earliest internet adopters in Croatia. He is a recognized lecturer and consultant the subjects of organization, internet, new media as well as politics and statistics.

Rakar ran or participated as consultant on a number of successful campaigns and races for organizations, parties and independent candidates on presidential, parliament and municipal elections in Europe, Asia and US.

He had worked on projects for various international institutions such as Council of Europe, European Fund for the Balkans, United Nations Development Programme, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), World Bank, Transparency International, U.S. State Department, Olof Palme International Center, Open Government Partnership and the Croatian Government. He has been for several years member of the jury for the Pollies award of the American Association of Political Consultants and a member of the jury for the World eDemocracy awards.

In his work with governments, law enforcement and corporations he worked as a data scientist and architect of advanced statistical, BI and predictive analytics systems designed to predict customer/supplier behavior, increase process efficiencies, find and eliminate hidden costs and simplify decision making, as well as identify, prevent, and/or disrupt criminal, fraudulent and money laundering activities..

Rakar studied Philosophy and Information sciences, University of Zagreb, speaks English fluently and is regular columnist and author to several blogs, web sites, newspapers and magazines in Croatia and internationally.

He is also recognized by World eGovernment forum as one of the "Top 10 who are changing the world of politics on the internet". Marko Rakar is a past president of EAPC (European association of political consultants), current presidento of IAPC (International association of political consultants), "School of politics" alumni and president (by Council of Europe), non-government expert on the subjects of open governance and data transparency, past president of Croatian NGO Vjetrenjača (English: Windmill) which is dedicated to bringing transparency and promoting open governance to Croatian and international public. Marko is a member of international Association of Certified Fraud Examiners as well as secretary of Croatian chapter of Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Croatia.

Since 2012. he is also a junior fellow at the World academy of Arts and Science. In 2013. Marko Rakar received „Informatika“ medal awarded by Croatian Information Technology Association. This medal is given to the organizations and individuals for achieved results in expanding and promoting information technologies. Washington DC based COMPOL magazine selected Marko as one of top hundred most influential political professionals of the year 2017.

Marko Rakar (1972) is a Chief executive manager of the consulting company MRAK services ltd headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia. Rakar has a lifelong experience in working/writing for media as well as dealing with the media. He combines his media kno... Show more

Yassine is the founder of Workless, where he helps organizations govern AI, automate business processes, and build scalable solutions within the Microsoft ecosystem.

A former Power Platform Tech Lead at the National Bank of Belgium, he has experience designing and governing enterprise-grade Power Platform implementations in complex and regulated environments. His work focuses on AI governance, the EU AI Act, Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Power Platform governance, and business process automation.

Through practical insights and real-world experience, Yassine explores how organizations can move from AI experimentation to responsible, secure, and scalable adoption.

Yassine is the founder of Workless, where he helps organizations govern AI, automate business processes, and build scalable solutions within the Microsoft ecosystem. A former Power Platform Tech Lead at the National Bank of Belgium, he has experie... Show more

Bobby Chipman is an attorney at Eisner, a corporate/entertainment boutique in Beverly Hills & NY. A former college basketball player and CPA/MBA, he approaches representation of artists, creators, agents and athletes from a business perspective.

Bobby Chipman is an attorney at Eisner, a corporate/entertainment boutique in Beverly Hills & NY. A former college basketball player and CPA/MBA, he approaches representation of artists, creators, agents and athletes from a business perspective. Show more

Studentin an der EUV, Peer Tutorin für wissenschaftliche Schreiben & Lernen, Directorin für IT bei ELSA

Roksana ist eine leidenschaftliche Studentin im Bereich Rechtswissenschaften und steht kurz vor dem Abschluss ihres Studiums. Neben ihrem Engagement in der akademischen Welt ist sie auch eine begeisterte Webdesignerin und Programmiererin, mit einem besonderen Interesse an den Schnittstellen von Technologie und Recht. Als Peer Tutorin und Director für IT bei ELSA kombiniert sie ihre Liebe zu digitalen Innovationen mit ihrer Expertise im Bereich Bildung und Lehre. Sie engagiert sich zudem in internationalen Netzwerken und hat sich auf die Förderung von Zugänglichkeit und Empowerment spezialisiert.Sie liebt es, kreative Methoden wie Gamification in der Lehre zu integrieren, um Studierende aktiv in ihre Lernprozesse einzubinden und auf die Herausforderungen der digitalen Zukunft vorzubereiten.

Studentin an der EUV, Peer Tutorin für wissenschaftliche Schreiben & Lernen, Directorin für IT bei ELSA Roksana ist eine leidenschaftliche Studentin im Bereich Rechtswissenschaften und steht kurz vor dem Abschluss ihres Studiums. Neben ihrem Engag... Show more

Founder, BlockchainKids (2019-Present) | Building worldwide community eliminating child trafficking through technology
Published Researcher | International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research | "Emojis for Sale: The Privatization of Human Emotion in AI Markets" | AI Governance & Technology Law
Keynote Speaker | Microsoft Summit | Scottish Summit | Youth Tech Education & Responsible Innovation
Professional Trainer | Blockchain Technology | Entrepreneurship Mindset | Design Thinking | Ages 3 to College Level
Panel Speaker | C# Corner | Entrepreneurship & Design Thinking Expert
Guest of Honour | Chandigarh University
Blockchain & Entrepreneurship Mentor | 100+ Kids, Techies & College Students | Entrepreneurial Mindsets | Blockchain Literacy
Legal & Technology Professional | Legal Intern, Multicloud4u Private Limited | Data Protection & Privacy Law (DPDP Act 2023, GDPR) | AI Governance | Contract Review
BBA LLB (Hons.) | National Forensic Sciences University Delhi
NFAT Exam | All India Rank 17
Published Author
State Level Basketball Player

Founder, BlockchainKids (2019-Present) | Building worldwide community eliminating child trafficking through technology Published Researcher | International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research | "Emojis for Sale: The Privatization of Human Emotion... Show more

French and Canadian lawyer, PhD in Private International Law, specializing in regulatory strategy for blockchain, digital assets, and emerging technologies. I advise Web3 founders and platforms on navigating compliance while building scalable products, and co-founded two legaltech ventures at the intersection of law and innovation.

French and Canadian lawyer, PhD in Private International Law, specializing in regulatory strategy for blockchain, digital assets, and emerging technologies. I advise Web3 founders and platforms on navigating compliance while building scalable product... Show more

www.linkedin.com/in/mladenvukmir

www.linkedin.com/in/mladenvukmir Show more

James William Bain began his journey in law with a strong academic foundation. He graduated cum laude from the University of Connecticut and was honored with membership in Phi Beta Kappa for his academic achievements. He then pursued legal studies at the University of Florida College of Law, graduating cum laude in 1976. These academic milestones shaped his ability to think critically and approach legal challenges with precision and thoughtful analysis.

James Bain started his legal career at the Tennessee Valley Authority, where he gained significant experience managing complex litigation. He played a leading role in one of the most important antitrust cases of the time, coordinating financial and legal strategies that resulted in a substantial recovery for his client. This early experience with high-profile litigation prepared him for commercial and construction law demands and strengthened his leadership in legal strategy development.

Bain transitioned to private practice in Colorado, quickly advancing to partnership in well-regarded law firms. His work focused on commercial and construction disputes involving multiple parties and significant financial interests. His ability to manage complex contractual and litigation issues helped establish him as a trusted legal professional in Colorado. He also co-founded a firm dedicated to delivering quality legal service while maintaining close and practical client relationships.

James Bain of Colorado extended his influence beyond firm leadership by dedicating time to professional writing and thought leadership. He served as editor of the “Construction Forum” section in Colorado Lawyer for over two decades. He authored several influential articles addressing negligence claims, construction contract responsibilities, and shifts in construction law. These publications demonstrated his commitment to sharing knowledge and improving professional standards within the legal community.

James Bain has also been involved in arbitration, professional service, and legal education. He served as Chairman of the Legal Advisory Committee for the Associated General Contractors of Colorado and contributed as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. He shared his expertise through seminars and speaking engagements for legal associations and advanced legal studies programs, influencing peers and supporting professional growth across the industry.

James William Bain has received numerous recognitions for his work, including awards for his legal writing and listings in distinguished publications such as “Outstanding Lawyers of America” and various editions of “Who’s Who.” Throughout his career, he has balanced professional excellence with a focus on service, education, and mentorship, leaving a meaningful mark on the legal field while maintaining a grounded and approachable professional presence.

James William Bain began his journey in law with a strong academic foundation. He graduated cum laude from the University of Connecticut and was honored with membership in Phi Beta Kappa for his academic achievements. He then pursued legal studies at... Show more

Karen Kenyatta Russell, JD ☘ speaks on winning: voting, democracy, leadership and finding your people. Bill Russell taught her how to win. Now she teaches audiences how to win too.

The daughter of NBA icon Bill Russell and Black Panther Rose Swisher, Karen is a Harvard-trained attorney, resistance historian and tech & AI strategist, and Founder & CEO of Start Winning With Me. She has delivered keynotes, moderated panels and facilitated hard conversations, gave a TEDx talk on mentoring, and served as NBC KING 5's on-air legal analyst. Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, Seattle Times, Boston Globe and Huffington Post.

Karen Kenyatta Russell, JD ☘ speaks on winning: voting, democracy, leadership and finding your people. Bill Russell taught her how to win. Now she teaches audiences how to win too. The daughter of NBA icon Bill Russell and Black Panther Rose Swish... Show more

Joseph Arop is a lawyer, former capital markets and finance regulator, and founder of Tensflare, a company building the trust and accountability infrastructure for AI agents. Tensflare's products span legal AI (Docfide), open-source regulatory and provenance infrastructure (RegGraph, HalluCase), and Truss, the cross-boundary accountability layer that gives AI agent actions a verifiable record of who authorized them and within what limits.
Tensflare is a contributing member of C2PA, the standards coalition behind Content Credentials. Joseph's research includes RATIO and DRIFT, which are contributions to legal NLP, including the first open citation graph for African case law. He writes and speaks on AI accountability, agentic systems, and what courts, regulators, and businesses need from AI infrastructure as autonomous agents take on consequential, real-world authority.

Joseph Arop is a lawyer, former capital markets and finance regulator, and founder of Tensflare, a company building the trust and accountability infrastructure for AI agents. Tensflare's products span legal AI (Docfide), open-source regulatory and pr... Show more

Abogado especializado en cibercrimen y evidencia digital (UBA), e investigador certificado (TRM-CI). Comenzó su camino profesional en la industria de medios de pago, luego sumó experiencia en derecho comercial y desde hace algunos años trabaja en el Ministerio Público Fiscal de la Nación. Allí combina técnica jurídica e investigación avanzada para colaborar con el equipo en la investigación y litigio de causas penales.

Abogado especializado en cibercrimen y evidencia digital (UBA), e investigador certificado (TRM-CI). Comenzó su camino profesional en la industria de medios de pago, luego sumó experiencia en derecho comercial y desde hace algunos años trabaja en el ... Show more

Mr. Liles’s background is rather unique. In addition to a law degree, he holds a Master’s in Health Care Administration and an M.B.A. Robert has worked on the provider side (in hospital administration), as a Federal prosecutor and now represents physician and dental practices around the country in connection with Medicare, Medicaid and private payor audits and investigations. While working as a Federal prosecutor, he was asked to serve as the nation's first "National Health Care Fraud Coordinator" for DOJ’s, Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys. Since entering private practice, Robert has continued to build on his health care background and experience. He holds certifications as Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Medical Compliance Officer (CMCO).

Mr. Liles’s background is rather unique. In addition to a law degree, he holds a Master’s in Health Care Administration and an M.B.A. Robert has worked on the provider side (in hospital administration), as a Federal prosecutor and now represents phy... Show more

Jordan is a patent attorney living in Durham, NC. He focuses his practice on patent prosecution and counseling primarily in the areas of electronics and software. He served as a submarine officer in the Navy before working as a software engineer and then later attending UNC Law. Jordan’s academic background is in astronomy and physics.

Jordan is a patent attorney living in Durham, NC. He focuses his practice on patent prosecution and counseling primarily in the areas of electronics and software. He served as a submarine officer in the Navy before working as a software engineer and ... Show more

Tech transactions and privacy attorney

Tech transactions and privacy attorney Show more

Jimmy Nguyen is a global tech entrepreneur, lawyer & speaker. He is a venture builder, investor, advisor for projects that use innovation + inspiration to empower people to WIN. He also hosts the “WIN with Jimmy Nguyen” podcast.

Jimmy is driven by a lifetime inspiring WINs from change: Vietnamese refugee to America after fall of Saigon in 1975; 21 year intellectual property, digital media & tech lawyer since 1990s Internet boom; and early Bitcoin & blockchain leader since 2016. He works in both leading markets & developing countries (Pakistan, Nigeria & Vietnam).

Through his firm New Win Ventures, Jimmy works with a portfolio of projects, including:
 Co-founder, SignSplit – blockchain registry, monetization platform & data infrastructure for IP assets
 Investor & Chairman, InvoiceMate (and DeFa protocol) - Web3/DeFi platforms to help PayFi companies and SMEs access cash faster, powered by blockchain & AI; based in Abu Dhabi Global Market
 Advisory Board, wAI Advance Industries - enterprise AI platform based in Pakistan that is growing regionally
 Strategic Advisor, SportzLab - part of EX Interactive Ventures, global sports, gaming & entertainment venture studio building next-gen fan ecosystems across physical venues, digital platforms & tokenized loyalty
 Senior Advisor, PRISM Carbon Solutions – based in ADGM, first vertically-integrated carbon credit verification platform & marketplace, with world’s most advanced blockchain registry
 Advisor, DeFiance Media – media platform for the digital economy, reaching 135M+ monthly active users globally via CTV and FAST delivery.

Jimmy has worked with Bitcoin, blockchain & fintech since 2012 as a lawyer and fully since 2016. He was CEO of nChain Group, with built one of the industry’s largest patent portfolios. He led formation in Switzerland of Bitcoin SV Association and was Founding President – leading its global ecosystem for a massively scaled Bitcoin chain to support micropayments & enterprise data apps. In these roles, Jimmy was involved in the “block size war” over scaling Bitcoin and interacted with early industry figures.

One of the world’s best public speakers on tech & law, Jimmy has addressed government & business leaders in 30+ countries across North America, Middle East, Europe, Asia, Africa. He has appeared on CNBC Arabia, Sky News Arabia, Fox Business News, Nasdaq Trade Talks, Good Morning America.

Previously, Jimmy had a 21-year legal career and was partner at 3 major U.S. law firms, representing major IP, media & tech owners. He served as Chair of the California Bar’s IP Law section. In 2008, Lawdragon named him (at age 36) one of the “500 Leading Lawyers in America.” Jimmy was honored by Century City Bar Association as “IP Lawyer of the Year” (2011); Association of Media & Entertainment Counsel with its Industry Leader Award (2017); Diversity MBA Magazine as “Top 100 Under 50 Diverse Executives Leader” (2015).

Jimmy graduated UCLA at age 19 and USC Law Center at age 22.

Jimmy Nguyen is a global tech entrepreneur, lawyer & speaker. He is a venture builder, investor, advisor for projects that use innovation + inspiration to empower people to WIN. He also hosts the “WIN with Jimmy Nguyen” podcast. Jimmy is driven b... Show more

Muhammed Bello Buhari is a digital rights practitioner and programme specialist working at the intersection of law, technology, and civic space, with a specific focus on internet shutdowns, digital infrastructure, and digital democracy in conflict-affected and politically fragile contexts.

Currently, he serves as the Programmes Officer (Anglophone West Africa) at Paradigm Initiative (PIN), where he leads strategic advocacy, digital rights and inclusion programs, and policy interventions in the region. His experience spans programme coordination, donor-funded project management, and high-level partner engagement. He has a track record of managing EU- and foundation-funded initiatives across multi-country settings, ensuring strict compliance and impact. Prior to PIN, Muhammed Bello held roles at CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation (Digital Democracy Initiative), Digital Grassroots, and Call A Lawyer Nigeria, where he coordinated advocacy campaigns, led research, and managed sub-grant processes.

Muhammed Bello is particularly interested in how state power, insecurity, and digital infrastructure intersect to shape access to rights. His work has been supported through competitive fellowships and residencies, including the TechForward Policy Fellowship (African Centre for Digital Transformation), the International Republican Institute’s Fortifying Internet Freedom & Digital Security Fellowship, the Advocacy Assembly Internet Shutdown Advocacy Fellowship, the Innocent Chukwuma Social Impact Fellowship at Lagos Business School, and the Internet Society Youth Ambassador Programme.

Muhammed Bello Buhari is a digital rights practitioner and programme specialist working at the intersection of law, technology, and civic space, with a specific focus on internet shutdowns, digital infrastructure, and digital democracy in conflict-af... Show more

Solution Engineer at Microsoft specialising in data security and compliance. With a strong foundation in European and international law, she helps organisations navigate complex regulatory environments by translating legal and business requirements into effective technology solutions. She enables customers to bridge the gap between compliance mandates and technical implementation, driving secure, scalable, and compliant data protection strategies.

Solution Engineer at Microsoft specialising in data security and compliance. With a strong foundation in European and international law, she helps organisations navigate complex regulatory environments by translating legal and business requirements i... Show more

Seth Gardenswartz, co-founder of Blackgarden Law, brings a unique blend of legal acumen and marketing expertise, stemming from his early days in his family’s retail business and further shaped by a career spanning law, tech, and business strategy. With specialties in trademarks, IP licensing, craft beverages, and CPG, Seth guides entrepreneurs in building resilient brands and navigating complex legal landscapes. When not consulting with clients or developing his tech ventures, Seth can be found exploring the trails of the Mountain West. Attendees can look forward to a lively session filled with practical insights and a dash of humor as Seth distills decades of expertise into actionable advice.

Seth Gardenswartz, co-founder of Blackgarden Law, brings a unique blend of legal acumen and marketing expertise, stemming from his early days in his family’s retail business and further shaped by a career spanning law, tech, and business strategy. Wi... Show more

Madeline (snacks) is a governance, risk, and compliance professional who brings a hacker's curiosity to the compliance world. Fluent in both red- and blue-teaming, she spends her time testing tools and writing her own code to keep pace with new technologies and threats. Being a GRC practitioner allows her to blend technical skills with legal know-how on a daily basis. She spends the rest of her free time designing courses and presentations to advance GRC and technical communities, in hopes of inspiring others toward careers they too, enjoy.

Madeline (snacks) is a governance, risk, and compliance professional who brings a hacker's curiosity to the compliance world. Fluent in both red- and blue-teaming, she spends her time testing tools and writing her own code to keep pace with new techn... Show more

Cornelia Oberndorfer is Lead Security Management Consulting at Deutsche Telekom MMS, focusing on cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, and secure digital transformation. With a background in IT security and forensics and experience as a Product Owner in digital platforms, she bridges technology, business, and regulation. Her work centers on making security a strategic driver for innovation and resilience.

Cornelia Oberndorfer is Lead Security Management Consulting at Deutsche Telekom MMS, focusing on cybersecurity, digital sovereignty, and secure digital transformation. With a background in IT security and forensics and experience as a Product Owner i... Show more

I sit at the intersection of AI governance, cybersecurity compliance, and federal/defense policy — translating emerging regulatory frameworks into defensible AI Zero Trust architectures supporting SMBs to Fortune 500 companies. My background spans U.S. Army Special Ops and Intelligence communities and senior advisory roles to the defense industrial base. Currently at Zscaler leading compliance strategy across federal, defense, and international regulated markets. I'm a NIST SP 1800-35 co-author, CSA ZT Working Group member, published author and conference speaker on compliance-aligned cybersecurity transformation. Recent work includes developing an SMB AI-driven vCISO & GRC intelligence platform, integrating automated risk scoring against EPSS, KEV, and regulatory severity signals.

I sit at the intersection of AI governance, cybersecurity compliance, and federal/defense policy — translating emerging regulatory frameworks into defensible AI Zero Trust architectures supporting SMBs to Fortune 500 companies. My background spans U.... Show more

Petar Petrić
Founding Partner at Petrić & Kajić Law Firm LLC - Petrić & Kajić odvjetničko društvo d.o.o.
ppetric@petric-kajic.hr
www.petric-kajic.hr
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/petar-petric
• odvjetnik, osnivač i i direktor Petrić & Kajić Law Firm LLC, trener medijatora te Predsjednik Nadzornog odbora Hrvatske udruge za medijaciju, član
Centra za medijaciju Hrvatske odvjetničke komore
• sudac na Moot Court Croatia natjecanjima studenata prava
• aktivni sudionik međunarodnih konferencija u Europi i SAD, panelist i speaker na konferencijama o budućnosti prava, pravne i odvjetničke
profesije
• autor članaka časopisa „Poduzetnik“, „Ja trgovac“, „Lider“,„Suvremena trgovina“, „Diplomacy& Commerce“, Lider, ZGradonačelnik, Pravnik
• Član Hrvatske odvjetničke komore (HOK), Američke gospodarske komore u Hrvatskoj (AmCham) i Hrvatske udruge za medijaciju.
• promotor primjene modernih tehnologija i umjetne inteligencije u pružanju modernih odvjetničkih usluga
• govornik na LegalTech i Fintech konferencijama u organizaciji Bug i Mreže
• čvrsto vjeruje da tehnologija i umjetna inteligencija mogu pomoći odvjetnicima u pružanju boljih pravnih usluga

Petar Petrić Founding Partner at Petrić & Kajić Law Firm LLC - Petrić & Kajić odvjetničko društvo d.o.o. ppetric@petric-kajic.hr www.petric-kajic.hr LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/petar-petric • odvjetnik, osnivač i i direktor Petrić & Kaj... Show more

Patrick Ostrowski is the Director of Business Development at A.B. Data, bringing over 15 years of expertise in data breach incident response, risk mitigation, and identity theft. Patrick specializes in developing and delivering solutions that satisfy complex regulatory requirements while protecting impacted consumers.

Patrick Ostrowski is the Director of Business Development at A.B. Data, bringing over 15 years of expertise in data breach incident response, risk mitigation, and identity theft. Patrick specializes in developing and delivering solutions that satisfy... Show more

I am the Founder of GammaLex AI Inc. and Co-Founder of Justice for All (J4All.org), both launched at Stanford Law School. At GammaLex, I develop vertical AI solutions for high-stakes domains, where AI can meaningfully influence human outcomes, community systems, and long-term sustainability across health, legal technology, and AI infrastructure. Through Justice for All, we collaborate with Google Research to advance access to justice and deliver tangible humanitarian impact.

I am the Founder of GammaLex AI Inc. and Co-Founder of Justice for All (J4All.org), both launched at Stanford Law School. At GammaLex, I develop vertical AI solutions for high-stakes domains, where AI can meaningfully influence human outcomes, commun... Show more

Rajesh Pandit is a law enforcement Officer and Harvard Kennedy School graduate with expertise in public policy, investigations, Disaster Management and human rights–centered policing. As a Police Officer, he has led complex investigations while advancing institutional accountability, community engagement, and the protection of vulnerable populations. His work bridges frontline policing with policy reform, focusing on building secure, just, and equitable public institutions.

Rajesh Pandit is a law enforcement Officer and Harvard Kennedy School graduate with expertise in public policy, investigations, Disaster Management and human rights–centered policing. As a Police Officer, he has led complex investigations while adva... Show more