Michael O'Connor

Michael J O'Connor is a seasoned legal professional with a diverse background in litigation, academia, and technology law.

Currently serving as the Litigation Counsel at Kraken Digital Asset Exchange, Michael oversees global litigation matters, offering strategic advice on legal risks and regulatory compliance.

Prior to his role at Kraken, he was a Visiting Assistant Professor of Law at Penn State, where he taught courses in Cyber Law, focusing on areas such as Data Security and Privacy, Cybercrime, and Emerging Law and Technology.

Before his academic tenure, Michael practiced law at Quinn Emanuel's Washington, DC office, specializing in technology-related issues including cryptocurrency, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, and contract disputes.

Michael's legal journey began as a law clerk for the Hon. D. Brooks Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, after completing his dual degrees in Computer Science and Biology from Penn State University.

With a robust skill set, Michael has provided legal guidance on data breach preparedness, personally identifiable information handling, and the legal aspects of emerging technologies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and blockchain.

His expertise extends to patent cases involving semiconductor design, systems programming, and mobile device architecture, as well as cases at the intersection of patent and antitrust law, representing clients in various federal courts and before the International Trade Commission.

Michael J O'Connor's specialties include Antitrust Law, Intellectual Property Law, Appellate Law, and Complex Federal Litigation.

Educationally, he holds a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and a B.S. in Computer Science and Biology from Penn State University.

His professional engagements include roles at Kraken Digital Asset Exchange, Penn State University, Quinn Emanuel, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.