Eli Bernstein
Fintech & Commercial Lawyer
I am a fintech and commercial lawyer dealing with startup and business law, financial services, and commercial litigation. I have a keen interest in fintech and the application of new technologies to legal and regulatory systems. I head NXT Legal’s Perth office.
I have worked in corporate finance, management consulting, and business development and throughout my career applied innovation to the development of new products and services, emerging markets and disruptive technologies (including blockchain, AI and IoT). Over the past two decades, I worked across a range of companies, large and small, in industries ranging from finance to technology, energy and resources. These days my core area of interest is the intersection of law, finance, and technology with research interests in:
I serve on committees of the Law Society of WA (including the Tech & IP committee), the advisory board of the ANZ Business Chamber, as chapter founder of Legalhackers (Perth), and as a mentor to a number of SOSV’s accelerators (including the blockchain-focused dlab). I also served with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, as University Associate for Curtin’s Blockchain R&D Lab and as VP (Blockchain) for IEG Banking Group. I was chairman of an ASX-listed company and president of the Australia-India Business Council (WA).
In my spare time, I dabble with libertarian thought and amateur photography. I am founder and president of Liberty WA, a voice for civil and economic liberties, and serve on the board of the Eeny Meeny Miney Mo Foundation.
professional experience
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life - Anon
NXT Legal
Commercial and Fintech Lawyer | 2020
Nxt Legal is a next-generation law firm specialising in commercial, technology and property matters.
Crowded Space
Venture Catalyst | 2014-17
CrowdedSpace facilitates early pre-seed investment, acceleration and incubation of technology solutions that have the potential to disrupt traditional sectors by utilizing crowdsourcing and decentralized technologies.
Quantum
Chairman | 2015
Nova Minerals Ltd (formerly Quantum Resources) is an exploration company based in Australia and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:NVA), the OTC Markets (OTC: NVAAF) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA:QM3). Nova is focused on gold exploration in Alaska and Northern Australia.
Energia Consulting
Principal Adviser | 2012-13
Energia Consulting is a management consulting and corporate advisory firm with a focus on international trade and investment in the energy and resources sector.
Horizon Power
Strategy & Policy Manager | 2007-11
Horizon Power is a vertically integrated energy provider for regional WA. I worked in the strategy and business development team with responsibilities for the development of strategy and policy, including business development, long-term strategy formulation, engagement with external stakeholders as well as carbon management & renewable energy analysis.
Montagu Corporate (now Patersons)
Corporate Consultant | 2006-07
Corporate consultant with capital markets experiece including Initial Public Offerings, RTOs and placements on the ASX, M&A activities and corporate advisory services. The energy and resources sector was an area of specialty.
Education
...is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel - Socrates
UWA
Juris Doctor | 2017
Graduated from a Juris Doctor
UWA
MBA (Adv) | 2003
Graduated cum laude Masters of Business Administrations. Advanced specialization in finance.
Curtin Uni
B.Comm(Hons) | 2001
Graduated from a Bachelor of Commerce with First Class Honours after majoring in Commercial Law and Marketing. Minor in International Business.
AICD
GAICD | 2011
Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
ACFS
DipFS(FP) | 2006
Completed a Diploma of Financial Services, specializing in financial planning for RG146 compliance requirements.
Writings
Commerce 2.0
Musings on Liberty & Law
My two cents on the Middle East & GeoPolitics
Associations
Legal Hackers
Perth Chapter President
Legal Hackers is a global movement of lawyers, policymakers, designers, technologists, and academics who explore and develop creative solutions to some of the most pressing issues at the intersection of law and technology. Through local meetups, hackathons, and workshops, Legal Hackers spot issues and opportunities where technology can improve and inform the practice of law and where law, legal practice, and policy can adapt to rapidly changing technology.
Computational Law & Blockchain Festival
Perth Co-Convener (March 18 2008)
The first annual Computational Law & Blockchain Festival (#clbfest2018) is a three-day global event bringing together coders, designers, lawyers, policymakers, researchers, and students to co-create the future of law, legal practice, and policy. In the spirit of decentralization, the Festival will be hosted at independent, self-organized nodes in cities around the world.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA
Committees: International Trade; Climate Change
CCI is the peak business body in in Western Australia and one of the most influential chamber of commerce in Australia. I was a member of the Climate Change Committee
Photography
Visit my gallery at elibernstein.com
Contact Me!
Don't be afraid to drop me a note.
Social Feed
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Copyright 2015