Law & Advisory Boutique Dedicated to Civil Society & Emergent Technology

Through years of public service and private industry, we have been dedicated to rule of law and personal sovereignty.  Our dedication is based on the principles of a free society safe from exploitation and harm – whether at the hands of state or private sector actors.  We are a bulwark against overreaching and exploitative behaviors.


Arktouros means “Guardian/Watcher of the Bear,” from Ancient Greek.  The brightest star in the northern hemisphere, aside Ursa Major (the Great Bear).  Also called the “night-watcher,” revolving about the northern pole, seeming never to set.

Civil Society traces to Aristotle’s koinōnía politike, valuing broad eudaimonia      (flourishing) through personal sovereignty, opportunity & democratic rule of law.

Wide variety of clientele from cutting edge cryptographic startups to top-three financial services firms.

Leveraging our significant in-house and government experience we provide practical advice that works in the real world and is designed to navigate an uncertain and evolving regulatory landscape.

Services

Our lawyers are recognized leaders in financial integrity matters, including U.S. economic sanctions compliance and legal challenges to U.S. sanctions actions, anti-money laundering (AML), anti-corruption, asset recovery and forfeiture, and complex cross-border investigations and enforcement. We regularly provide risk management and compliance counseling, crisis management, policy guidance, and criminal and regulatory defense to the DeFi and the crypto community, individuals facing government scrutiny, and financial services organizations. We also advise governments on FATF-related matters, including helping governments prepare for FATF evaluations and assessing compliance with FATF guidelines.

Regulatory & Incident Response

Global advisors solving high-profile regulatory, crisis, enforcement, and related matters including data breach and security incident response. Tailored guidance in AML, sanctions, and state money transmitter laws, focusing on crypto, blockchain, ecommerce, and fintech sectors, along with investment funds and traditional financial services organizations.

Litigation &
Appeals

Experienced trial and appellate counsel that have argued cases at every level of the state and federal court systems, including the US Supreme Court. Develop litigation strategy, lead motions practice and trial, and handle appeals and amicus support. Our expertise helps anticipate and mitigate legal risk in and out of court.

Government Investigations & Criminal Defense

Expert defense in white collar criminal matters and civil investigations, including international money laundering, corruption, sanctions enforcement, fraud, consumer protection, and data protection/privacy. Our team represents and advises individuals and corporations in high-stakes situations around the world.

Corporate Governance & Whistleblower Support

Advisory on corporate governance practices, whistleblower case handling, and creating ethical, transparent corporate environments. Our expertise covers the full spectrum from policy formulation to issue resolution.

Financial Technologies & Payment Systems

Counseling on innovative payment solutions, including credit cards, digital wallets, and crypto/fiat transactions. We assist with legal and regulatory aspects of fintech, ensuring your services are ahead of the curve.

Emerging Technologies & Digital Assets

Legal and regulatory advice for businesses dealing with tokenomics, digital assets, and video game payments. Our forward-thinking approach addresses the unique challenges of the digital age, ensuring your innovation remains compliant.

U.S. Sanctions & International Expansion

Support in navigating U.S. sanctions, including removal petitions and litigation, along with complex sanctions compliance advice and guiding overseas expansion efforts.

Our Team

Our team features leading experts in financial integrity, economic sanctions and the intersection of law with emergent technology – combining hands-on experience as lead in-house lawyers with backgrounds from the Department of Justice, Treasury (OFAC and FinCEN), and top law firms.

Claiborne W. Porter
Partner
Director, Compliance Advisory
Michael Mosier
Partner
Director, Compliance Advisory
Sydney Abualy
Director of Compliance Advisory
Director, Compliance Advisory
Kenneth A. Blanco
Partner
Director, Compliance Advisory
Brad Brooks-Rubin
Partner
Director, Compliance Advisory
Michelle Ann Gitlitz
Of Counsel
Director, Compliance Advisory
Jane Khodarkovsky
Partner
Director, Compliance Advisory
Matt McGuire
Partner
Director, Compliance Advisory
Michael Parker
Partner
Director, Compliance Advisory
Rebecca Rettig
Of Counsel
Director, Compliance Advisory

Insights & Publications

Explore insights from our forefront thinkers on cryptocurrency, DeFi, and compliance, with publications ranging from regulatory frameworks to innovative financial technologies.

Get in Touch

Have a question or need assistance? Contact us today.

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