The National Law Journal named Austin Mills, an attorney at Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, a Trailblazer in blockchain and cryptocurrency law. The publication’s inaugural Trailblazers in Cryptocurrency, Blockchain and Fintech special section profiles Mills along with roughly four dozen attorneys nationwide it describes as “making great strides as finance and technology grow more and more entwined.”

“In this list, we take a look at those who have truly ‘moved the needle’ in facilitating these new technologies and digital currencies,” the publication said.

Mills created and chairs MMM’s Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Practice – the first such law group in Atlanta. The group’s attorneys, ranging across a number of practice areas, represent companies that are either using blockchain or seeking guidance on legal aspects of the new technology. He says the firm focuses on answering never-before-asked questions and helping guide clients through related uncertainty. He also speaks at public events to educate the business community and has authored articles for the news media.

“We have a unique opportunity to solve new problems and to create the best outcomes," Mills told the National Law Journal. "I'm getting to a place where I can guide the direction and be an advocate for the community, while appreciating consumer protection and some of the issues that have been brought into question."

Blockchains are shared, distributed ledgers of transactions or other data. The ledgers track transactions, which are grouped together in “blocks.” Multiple users can see and maintain matching copies of a ledger. Any change has a cascading effect, increasing security, efficient transaction processing and transactional transparency.