Steven Nerayoff, an early adviser to the Ethereum network, has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the law firm Covington & Burling. He claims the firm mishandled his defense in a 2019 extortion case, causing significant personal and professional harm.
Nerayoff and his associate, Michael Hlady, were arrested in September 2019, accused of extorting a cryptocurrency startup. The lawsuit, filed on September 6 in New York, alleges that Nerayoffās attorney, Alan Vinegrad, failed to present key evidence, such as videos and emails proving the legality of his actions. This evidence, submitted in June 2022, led to the dismissal of the charges in May 2023.
Nerayoff contends that proper handling could have prevented the charges, saving him over $1 million in legal fees and lost business opportunities. Covington & Burling denies the claims and intends to defend itself. This lawsuit is one of several legal actions Nerayoff has initiated this year.

















