The University of New Hampshire School of Law is once again breaking new ground in legal education for emerging fields, partnering with global blockchain expert Samson Williams and his consultancy Axes & Eggs to offer a Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Law (BC&L) Certificate.
This collaboration joins an internationally acclaimed blockchain and cryptocurrency expert and the world-class intellectual property and innovation law program of a Top 100 law school. The result will be the first comprehensive certificate program on blockchain, cryptocurrency and the law delivered by an accredited law school.
The BC&L program, available in early 2019, developed by Professor Tonya M. Evans, Chair of Intellectual Property & Technology Online Programs, will be taught by experts in the field and leverage the massive knowledge and expertise of Evans, Williams, UNH Law instructors, and other prominent subject matter experts.
The BC&L program is open to anyone with a bachelor's degree, and is especially tailored for law students, practicing lawyers (including in-house counsel), blockchain startup management and "blockchain-adjacent" entrepreneurs and executives who provide services in the industry. It is also relevant for lawmakers and regulators and other professionals interested in securing a solid foundation in the legal implications of this essential, emerging technology.
"The landscape related to blockchain and cryptocurrency is dynamic and complex, and spans sectors including government, payment systems, intellectual property, regulation, and civil and criminal liability," said Williams. "An understanding of the blockchain marketplace is essential for professionals within those sectors. Our goal with the collaboration of UNH Law and Axes & Eggs is to give participants access to the highest level of expertise and the skills to navigate the ever-changing environment."
The program, organized as a "4+1" (four required courses and one elective), will provide participants with an overview of blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and smart contracts and to introduce them to the essential information every law student, lawyer, business and government leader should know about its legal implications.
"Blockchain technology is poised to disrupt virtually every industry on a global scale," said Evans. "It has far-reaching impacts, especially for the legal field as we navigate through a new regulatory, financial and business environment. Our focus at UNH Law is to provide students and professionals with the educational tools to succeed in areas such as this, and we're excited to partner with someone as reputable and knowledgeable as Samson to deliver those tools."
The BC&L program courses will be taught in an innovative asynchronous environment, allowing working professionals to complete coursework at their own pace and on their own schedule. They will have the ability to access archived content, participate in group discussions and take advantage of instructors' virtual office hours.
The BC&L program consists of five courses which will subsequently qualify participants for certification. In addition to the required courses, a variety of electives will be offered in future semesters. Learn more at law.unh.edu/blockchain
