Anessa Allen Santos, B.A., J.D.

Attorney at Law

Attorney Anessa Allen Santos provides international business development and legal counsel to technology companies worldwide from idea to exit. A former adjunct law professor, she frequently lectures for the Florida Bar and at select universities and conferences around the world on law and emerging technology matters. Ms. Santos has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who as a Top Attorney for dedication, achievements, and leadership in human rights law through the practice of business law for emerging technology companies, namely, those developing blockchain and financial technology applications and solutions for the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She has been featured by the Florida High Tech Corridor, Humans of Blockchain and the nationally syndicated news program The Daily Flash.  Ms. Santos mentors Orlando’s technology accelerator, Starter Studio, and is an active member of several Florida Bar committees, including as Chair of the Technology Law Committee for the City, County and Local Government Section of the Florida Bar. 

Ms. Santos serves as Chief Legal Officer to Libra Project, a family of companies headquartered in Dubai dedicated to providing impact investment opportunities in renewable energy projects operating across southeast Asia and Africa. She is also the Chief Compliance Officer for OuroX, a digital asset and stock exchange headquartered in Suriname.  Ms. Santos also serves on the boards of the Florida Blockchain Business Association, a Florida non-profit, and Byte Federal, a Bitcoin ATM company in Venice, Florida. Earlier in her career, Ms. Santos gained invaluable experience as in-house corporate counsel for Iformata Communications LLC, Destiny Conferencing LLC, and NeoWorx Inc. – all technology businesses acquired by publicly traded corporations. 

Ms. Santos has built a reputation for excellence through several speaking engagements, including at a recent press event in Washington D.C. in support of the Crypto-Currency Act of 2020 sponsored by Congressman Gosar.  She has also spoken on blockchain and cryptocurrency regulations at the National Press Club and at the America’s Blockchain Summit in Panama, among others.  In addition to the article on “What’s the Big Deal About Blockchain” published in the peer-reviewed academic Florida Bar Journal, Ms. Santos has produced several blockchain related reports made publicly available through the Florida Bar Association. Given her considerable knowledge of finance and securities law, Ms. Santos has also served as an expert witness for Bacon v. Vann, et al, providing guidance for the court regarding the treatment of investment adviser representatives under the Investment Advisor’s Act of 1940 and the Texas Administrative Code.

Ms. Santos is proud alumna of the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School where she studied Blockchain Strategies and Financial Technology. She acquired a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Dayton School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Wright State University.