Nikita Tepikin
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FinTech & Crypto Law, IP & Data Privacy
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14 Years of Experience
Nikita Tepikin is the founder and Managing Partner of Legal Kornet. As a crypto lawyer, he advises blockchain, FinTech and other technology businesses on matters at the intersection of financial regulation, intellectual property and data protection. His background combines admission to the New York Bar, advanced study in international intellectual property law, patent practice and European privacy certifications.
Professional Experience
Nikita began his legal career in 2012, initially working independently with small businesses on company formation, tax matters, commercial contracts and legal reviews.
He passed the New York State Bar Examination held on February 28 and 29, 2012. The New York State Board of Law Examiners issued his Notice of Certification on May 2, 2012. He was admitted to legal practice in New York on April 17, 2014, by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department.
As more client work moved online and across borders, his practice developed around FinTech, blockchain, intellectual property and privacy. He built Legal Kornet from a solo practice into an international firm supported by lawyers, consultants and professional partners in multiple jurisdictions.
In 2016, Nikita began advising cryptocurrency projects at a time when crypto law was still an emerging area of legal practice. His early work included advising on the legal structuring of crypto projects, preparing documentation for ICOs and token sales, and analyzing the regulatory status of digital assets. Since then, crypto law has become one of the core areas of his practice and Legal Kornet’s work.
His work now focuses on the legal questions behind digital products and international operations: how a business should be structured, who owns its technology, what rules govern its data and which regulatory steps need to happen before launch or expansion.
Areas of Expertise
Nikita Tepikin combines digital asset regulation, intellectual property and data privacy in one legal approach shaped around how IT and digital companies operate. He considers the product, its technology, data use and business model as connected parts of the same operation, so advice on one issue remains consistent with the rest of the business.
Practices
Regulatory Frameworks
Education & Qualifications
Nikita Tepikin earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. He later completed a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Intellectual Property Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology.
His legal education combines a broad foundation in U.S. law with advanced specialization in international intellectual property. This background supports his work with technology companies, digital products, software, brands and other IP-intensive businesses.
Bar Admission & Professional Credentials
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Attorney and Counselor at Law, State of New YorkAdmitted by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department.
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Patent AttorneyRegistered with the Federal Service for Intellectual Property.
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Certified Information Privacy Professional/Europe (CIPP/E)Certification awarded by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).
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GDPR Data Privacy Professional (GDPR DPP)Completed professional training in GDPR compliance and data privacy through an independent training provider.
Professional Recommendations
When we have been working together with Nikita on common projects, he showed himself as a professional with American expertise in intellectual property, blockchain law, and privacy regulations. His works on Legal Opinion on the nature of the tokens under the Howey Test (utility/security) for crypto exchange market were sufficiently detailed and carefully drafted to meet requirements of crypto exchanges. Therefore, I highly recommend Nikita to be attracted to legal work for any blockchain and other projects.
Nikita is an exceptionally talented lawyer with an outstanding insight in IP/IT matters. With strong international background he is definitely the professional of my first choice whenever a American legal issue arises.
Nikita is is extremely passionate about legal job. And it’s even more mission and passion than job itself. He is a non-stop thinker about new legal services and client’s side. Very optimistic and open person. And, finally, he is a real fighting dog in a court.
As a high-qualified IP lawyer Nikita uses his strong educational background and practical skills in IT and data protection projects.
I highly recommend Nikita Tepikin. He was an active, excellent student in my Spring 2011 Comparative Tort Law course and a superb research associate for me on complex liability issues during the following academic year. His work was always timely, thorough and incisive. He continually impressed me with his intelligence, integrity, diligence, skills and personality.
We were very pleased with our work with Nikita Tepikin. Nikita studied the project in detail, fully understood its economics, and we promptly received a high-quality, well-prepared document.
