Stuart D. Levi

Mr. Levi has a broad and diverse practice that includes advising on matters involving Web3 and digital assets (including NFTs), artificial intelligence, fintech, technology transactions, outsourcing transactions, intellectual property licensing, privacy and cybersecurity, and branding and distribution agreements. Utilizing his background in computer science and the information technology industry, Mr. Levi has extensive understanding of the technology and business drivers underlying agreements and transactions in these areas.

Mr. Levi has been a recognized leader in the technology transaction field for over 30 years and has been named a National Law Journal Trailblazer in cryptocurrency, blockchain and fintech, as well as one of Lawdragon’s 100 Leading AI & Legal Tech Advisors. He also has been regularly selected to Chambers Global, Chambers USA and Chambers FinTech, as well as Best Lawyers in America, which named him its 2025 Lawyer of the Year in the New York Information Technology Law category. In addition, Mr. Levi is regularly recognized as a Thought Leader by Who’s Who Legal: Fintech & Blockchain and an IP Star and Transactions Star by Managing IP. Additionally, he has been named to Intellectual Asset Management’s IAM Patent 1000, where he is described as a “master at ... formulating strategies, structuring deals and successfully negotiating them.”

In the field of artificial intelligence, Mr. Levi is co-chair of the New York City Bar subcommittee on AI in Finance and Commerce, co-chair of the New York State Judiciary Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence and the Courts, and a member of the New York City Bar Committee on AI and the Judiciary.

Mr. Levi’s representations have included advising: 

Blockchain/Digital Assets/NFTs

• numerous rights holders across multiple industries, including entertainment, sports, gaming and art, in the minting and marketing of NFTs
• providers of NFT platforms and service providers in structuring their platforms, contracting with rights holders and regarding ongoing compliance issues
• a leading global auction house in NFT-related matters
• a consortium developing a new blockchain and stablecoin
• a leading DeFi protocol in connection with a number of technology transactions, intellectual property issues and regulatory matters
• the development team building a new blockchain system and a related cryptocurrency
• various companies in connection with cryptocurrency and digital asset advertising policies
• a fund in connection with investments in cryptocurrencies
• various companies on issues relating to the acceptance of cryptocurrency as a means of payment
• a service provider that allows digital wallets to interact with exchanges
• companies in connection with M&A and capital markets activity in the blockchain and digital asset space

Artificial Intelligence

• a global entertainment company in connection with its AI strategy, including how to protect its own content from being used without authorization and how it can exploit AI tools for its own creative offerings
• a global content developer in connection with intellectual property issues relating to its deployment of AI
• a global brand in connection with establishing policies for AI usage
• a developer of AI tools for workplace automation in connection with intellectual property and licensing issues
• a major sports league in connection with its AI strategy and policy

Cybersecurity and Privacy

• companies on all matters relating to the collection and use of personal data, including biometric data
• numerous companies in connection with data breaches and security audits, including companies in the financial services, insurance, manufacturing, health care and publishing industries
• numerous companies in complying with U.S. and foreign privacy and cybersecurity laws, including GDPR, GLB, HIPAA, COPPA, and other federal and state requirements
• companies on transborder data flow issues, including assisting companies with standard contractual clauses and U.S.-EU and U.S.-Switzerland Privacy Shield certifications

Outsourcing

• S&P in the outsourcing of certain IT functions and services, finance and accounting services, and human resources services
• Citigroup Inc. in the outsourcing of various business processes and information technology and application development services
• American Express Company in the outsourcing of certain global printing operations
• Barclays Capital in the outsourcing of payroll services
• Hexaware in connection with the provision of information technology and business process outsourcing services to various entities

Strategic Technology Ventures

• Walmart in connection with various technology matters
• LinkUK in connection with the development and installation of Wi-Fi kiosks in the U.K.
• Airfox in connection with providing a mobile payment service for Via Varejo in Brazil
• a materials developer in connection with the development and licensing of a new apparel textile

Stadium Naming and Branding Licenses

• MetLife, Inc. in the acquisition of the naming rights for MetLife Stadium (home of the N.Y. Jets and N.Y. Giants)
• FirstEnergy Corporation in acquiring the naming rights for FirstEnergy Stadium (home of the Cleveland Browns)
• Hyundai in connection with its FIFA sponsorship

Mergers and Acquisitions

• Viagogo Entertainment in its pending $4 billion acquisition of StubHub from eBay
• Spotify in connection with various acquisitions
• Social Capital Hedosophia in its $1.5 billion merger with Virgin Galactic
• The Walt Disney Company in its $4 billion acquisition of Lucasfilm Ltd.
• Amadeus IT Group in its acquisition of Navitaire

Prior to joining Skadden, Mr. Levi was director of intellectual property for Reuters America Inc. and a vice president of Reuters NewMedia Inc. In these roles, he was responsible for all of Reuters’ technology and intellectual property matters.

Mr. Levi has written and spoken on numerous outsourcing, privacy, technology and intellectual property issues, and each year he co-chairs the Practising Law Institute’s Open Source Institute. He was named a winner of a Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award (presented by the Burton Awards) in both 2023 and 2019. He also was previously selected to Crain’s New York Business’ list of Forty Under Forty — New York’s Rising Stars, where he was cited for his work in internet law.