MacKinzie M. Neal

MacKinzie Neal advises on matters involving technology transactions, intellectual property protection and ownership, and privacy and cybersecurity. She frequently works on general commercial agreements in the technology sector with a focus in fintech transactions spaces. Ms. Neal also has significant experience advising on matters relating to artificial intelligence (AI), digital assets and blockchain technology.

Ms. Neal has co-authored numerous articles regarding AI, blockchain technology and intellectual property, including “Musicians Using AI Have a Long Road Head With Royalties,” which was among Law360’s Top Guest Articles of 2023 for AI in IP law. Ms. Neal also has spoken at conferences and presented CLE courses regarding legal issues around AI and blockchain technology.

Ms. Neal also has an active pro bono practice, advising nonprofit organizations on a variety of matters related to intellectual property and technology. In addition, she is actively involved in diversity, equity and inclusion at the firm as a member of its Black Lawyers for Diversity group.

Her representations include:

• Centene Corporation in numerous transactions
• Diem Association in a variety of technology, privacy and corporate matters in connection with the development of cryptocurrency based on the Diem Blockchain
• Intel Corporation in the IPO of its self-driving car unit, Mobileye, and in its now-terminated $5.4 billion acquisition of Tower Semiconductor
• Protocol Labs, a developer of Web3 protocols, in various technology and compliance matters
• Scopely, Inc. in its $4.9 billion acquisition by Savvy Games Group and its $1 billion acquisition of GSN Games, Inc. from Sony Pictures Entertainment
• Spotify in various acquisitions, including its acquisitions of Sonantic, an AI voice platform, and Podz, a podcast discovery platform that leverages machine learning technology
• Stoner Cats 2, LLC in connection with a non-fungible token (NFT) project
• TRM Labs, Inc., a blockchain intelligence startup, in connection with corporate and privacy matters in its contracts with customers
• Web3Cloud in its $1.25 billion merger with Social Leverage Acquisition Corp.
• Walmart in various technology matters, including its licensing and procurement deal with Symbiotic LLC, Knapp AG and Fox Robotics Inc.
• Stanley Black & Decker in the $760 million sale of its attachments and handheld hydraulic tools business to Epiroc AB
• Hillenbrand in its acquisition of the Schenck Process Food and Performance Materials business, a portfolio company of Blackstone, for $730 million
• Shopify in the sale of its logistics and robotics business to Flexport, Inc.