Thomas J. Smedinghoff focuses his practice on the new legal issues relating to the developing field of information law and electronic business activities. Named as one of the National Law Journal’s”Top 50 Intellectual Property Trailblazers & Pioneers” in 2014.
Tom is internationally recognized for his leadership in addressing emerging legal issues regarding electronic transactions, identity management, privacy, information security, and online authentication issues from both a transactional and public policy perspective.
He has been retained to structure and implement first-of-their-kind e-commerce initiatives, electronic transactions, and identity management and information security legal infrastructures for the federal government, and national and international businesses including banks, insurance companies, investment companies, and certification authorities.
He has also been actively involved in developing legislation and public policy in the area of electronic business at the state, national, and international levels.
Representative Experience:
- Chair of the American Bar Association Identity Management Legal Task Force, and working with private sector, federal government, and international organizations to address the challenges of developing an identity management legal framework
- Has worked extensively with clients in newly developing legal areas such as identity management and online authentication, electronic negotiable instruments, digital signatures and voice signatures, PKI, e-notarization, and other unique forms of electronic transactions and e-business activities.
- Was a pioneer in the subject of PKI and digital signature law, representing the federal government, national banks, and certification authorities in developing first-of-their-kind public key legal infrastructures.
- Helped to negotiate the 2005 United Nations Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts as part of the U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. This is the first international treaty that focuses on general cross-border e-commerce and electronic transactions.
- Assisted in development of a new identity management legal structure for browser-based online authentication. Resolved rights, responsibilities, and liabilities of participants in system to allow website users to verify the identity of the company they are dealing with, in order to address the problem of phishing and to promote secure commerce.
Professional Activities :
- United Nations
- Member, U.S. Delegation to the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), participating in the Working Group on Electronic Commerce, 1997–present
- Member, Legal Working Group of the United Nations Center for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT), 2004–present
- Uniform Law Commission (National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws)
- ABA Advisor to Study Committee on Identity Management in Electronic Commerce, 2016-present
- ABA Advisor to Committee to Implement the UN E-Commerce Convention, 2008-2010
- State of Illinois
- Chair, Illinois Commission on Electronic Commerce and Crime, 1996–1998
- American Bar Foundation
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation, 2004-present
- Academic Appointments
- Adjunct Assistant Professor of Business Law, Brennan School of Business, Dominican University, 2004–2013
- Editorial Boards
- Editorial Advisor, BNA Electronic Commerce & Law Report, 2000–present
- Editorial Advisor, BNA Privacy & Security Law Report, 2009–present
- American Bar Association
- Co-Chair, Cybersecurity Legal Task Force
- Business Law Section
- Chair, Identity Management Legal Task Force, 2009-present
- Science & Technology Law Section
- Chair, Section of Science & Technology Law, 1999-2000
- Co-Chair, International Policy Committee, 2003-2011, and 2016-present
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
- Member, 2006-present
- Chicago Bar Association
- Chair, Computer Law Committee, 1984–1985
Education :
- J.D., University of Michigan
- B.A., Math, Knox College
Admissions : Illinois
Cost
Rate : $$$