Nebraska Lawyers Accept Bitcoin Following Ethics Board Approval

The lawyer who asked a Nebraska state legal ethics board about accepting bitcoin as payment says his practice will soon begin taking the cryptocurrency.

As CoinDesk previously reported, the Nebraska Lawyers' Advisory Committee was asked if lawyers could accept bitcoin from either a client directly or through a third party. That request also queried whether lawyers can hold cryptocurrencies in escrow or in a trust on behalf of a client.

The eight-member body, appointed by the state's Supreme Court, largely gave its approval, saying that any cryptocurrencies accepted must be immediately converted into US dollars. Among the notable elements of that ruling – a first – was the call for the use of multi-signature wallets when holding funds in escrow.

Now, Matt McKeever, the attorney who submitted the request, said that his firm Copple, Rockey, McKeever & Schlecht is putting together an official policy for accepting cryptocurrencies as payment. At this time, it's not clear when the practice will officially begin taking cryptocurrencies.

Even still, McKeever struck a bullish tone in statements to the press. According to his LinkedIn account, McKeever works with clients on issues related to cryptocurrency regulation and compliance.

"Accepting bitcoin will be our way of supporting the growing 'Silicon Prairie' in Nebraska," he told the Lincoln Journal-Star.

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