Joel De La Cruz is a second year law student attending St. John’s University School of Law (Queens, New York) on a Dean’s Scholarship, a full tuition merit scholarship. He graduated cum laude with a dual B.A. in Economics, and History from Baruch College, City University of New York, on the Ellen Knowles Harcourt Scholarship, a full-ride scholarship. As a Dominican American he is a member of several Bar Associations in the New York CIty Metropolitan area, including the Dominican Bar Association, and the Hispanic National Bar Association (Region II)
Joel had the benefit of working as a Legal Intern at New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Department. The first judicial department is the first step in the appeals process through Manhattan and the Bronx. A historically significant court, where several cases have gone on to set precedents influencing the state, and nation. From this position in a state appeals level court the summer with a unique view of the life of a case as it goes from trial to the appeals process. He had the opportunity to learn the newest developments in AI legal research tools, ranging from Lexis Nexis, to start up projects led by prominent attorneys in their field.
New York CIty is increasingly becoming a global center for Blockchain commerce, organization, and regulatory authority. He is able to keep in loop with the latest developments in both technology and regulatory attitudes. Joel has earned a CBCA license, and continues to attriculate further experience in the Blockchain and Web3 space through research, and project management. He is looking forward to establishing his legal career in the blockchain and Web3 spaces.