James Gatto

Mr. Gatto co-heads Sheppard Mullin’s Blockchain Team and its Games Team. He has been a thought leader and strategic advisor to companies dealing with blockchain and NFTs, games, virtual worlds, metaverses, AR/VR and social media issues. For more than 30 years he has been providing strategic advice on all aspects of intellectual property and technology law, especially ones driven by new business models and/or disruptive technology. His practice focuses on blockchain (including blockchain games, cryptocurrency/NFTs); interactive entertainment (metaverses, virtual worlds, games, AR, VR, fantasy sports, esports); digital art, AI and online gambling. He advises clients on IP strategies, development and publishing agreements, terms of service, licensing and technology transaction agreements and tech regulatory issues (e.g., securities, gambling, AML, sanctions). Mr. Gatto has been involved with blockchain since 2012 and has been recognized as a thought leader by leading organizations including Best Lawyers in America 2021-2022; Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech Trailblazer, The National Law Journal, 2018; and Thought Leader on Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies, National Law Review, 2018.