CWSL Student, Zachary Brenner, Co-Authors Op-Ed in Westlaw Today

SAN DIEGO (April 21, 2025) -- Zachary Brenner, a second-year student in the California Western School of Law (CWSL) and San Diego State University Fowler College of Business Administration JD and MBA dual degree program, recently co-authored an op-ed in Westlaw Today examining one of the largest cryptocurrency security breaches to date.

Titled “Bybit’s Billion-Dollar Blunder” and written in collaboration with Chris Groshong of CoinStructive Inc., the article analyzes the recent $1.5 billion hack of crypto exchange Bybit and makes the case that the incident stemmed not from a failure of blockchain technology, but from a breakdown in internal compliance controls. The authors argue that the breach could mark a turning point for crypto exchanges, pushing the industry toward more rigorous internal oversight practices.

Zachary, who graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara in 2022, worked in elected politics at U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s office before beginning law school. He currently serves as an honors instructor for 1L Legal Skills/Writing and as an editor for Commentary, CWSL’s student-run magazine. He is currently externing at the San Diego Superior Court.

You can read Brenner and Groshong’s full article here.

About California Western School of Law   

For 100 years, California Western School of Law (CWSL) has trained practice-ready lawyers and thoughtful advocates for justice. As the first and longest-running law school in San Diego, CWSL remains committed to providing students with the fundamental knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to thrive in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. CWSL enrolls a student body representative of our diverse society, amplifying access to opportunities for social and economic mobility. Tailored programming allows students to focus on specific areas of interest, and distinguished faculty are dedicated to student growth and scholarship on critical social issues. The law school emphasizes practical, hands-on training through clinics, internships, externships, and pro bono service. CWSL is committed to excellence in education, nurturing compassionate legal professionals who use the law effectively and creatively to solve complex human and societal problems. For more information, visit www.CWSL.edu.