Our Team

Our tech-focused advisors help founders and funders alike navigate legal complexities with a commercial-first mindset.

Our tech company-focused team comprises nearly 200 practitioners across 20+ markets worldwide. From successful (and failed) founders to serial entrepreneurs to sci fi and gaming nerds to ex-Olympic athletes and former GCs, our team has a wealth of backgrounds. We bring this holistic perspective to everything we do and work hand-in-hand with each other and our clients to achieve the best results possible.

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ALL A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Ellen Ehrenpreis

I'm a thinker and a doer. I love to wrestle with problems big and small and devise action plans focused on practical solutions. I bring more than 25 years of experience in the high-growth tech ecosystem. My approach is driven by my experiences as both company founder and consumer of legal services, by my early years as a litigator, and by diverse experiences advising businesses at every stage, along with the executives, investors and advisors involved in those businesses. And at the end of the day, my goal is to deliver solutions at the intersection of good business judgment, common sense and the law. I am passionate about working with clients striving to make a positive impact in the world.

Contact me Partner, Silicon Valley eehrenpreis@orrick.com +1 650 614 7636

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

The art of the possible!
What inspired you to become an emerging companies and venture capital lawyers?

The opportunity to collaborate with super talented, inspiring and innovative founders and investors to advance new technologies and businesses driving positive change in the world!
Where do you find inspiration in life?

Nature: Because it serves as a constant reminder of the infinite beauty and resilience of our world. The ocean: Because its majesty and strength inspire me to keep in mind that anything is possible. My family: Because they challenge me to be better and remind me that nothing is more important than cherishing the people you love.
Tell us something we'd be surprised to know about you.

I am an identical twin!
What's your mantra?

The path to success is best navigated by always prioritizing preparation, confidence and common sense.

Shawn Atkinson

Over the past 20 years my consistent passion has been to advise and support high-growth tech companies and investors throughout their life cycle, from incubation to exit, and across different geographies and sectors. I have overseen hundreds of deals involving leading tech and fintech players in the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia, leveraging my deep industry knowledge, market insight, and relentless commitment to their success. I have also been recognized as a leading individual in several legal directories, including Legal 500, for my expertise and excellence in venture capital, M&A, emerging markets, and fintech.

Clients I've worked with: Scoro | Rossum | Many Pets | Salesforce Ventures | Bessemer Venture Partners

Contact me Partner, London satkinson@orrick.com +44 20 7862 4715

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspired you to become an emerging companies and venture capital lawyer?

Working with people that challenge the status quo and have an impact drew me to this area of law. That plus, I am the ultimate deal junkie and I love the energy of a fast paced deal environment!
What inspires you about working with tech companies?

It is an absolute privilege working with dynamic, optimistic and energetic people who think about the world differently than the majority, challenging the world and themselves to make for a better place.
Tell us about one of your mentors.

"The world belongs to the energetic!" is what one of my mentors, friends and favourite people always says and those are words that I live by to this day. Hard work and walking that extra mile is what defines me.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

A baseball player (if I could actually play) or a great punk rock drummer (if I was any good) or a full time anthropologist (if only the world appreciated us (because I could count myself as a part time anthropologist now) more)!
What is your ideal weekend?

A long country walk across the English countryside ending up in a small and old pub surrounded by my family and friends followed by Fulham FC winning the Champions League final @ Wembley (dare to dream)!
Tell us about a favorite client or project.

After more than 20 years in this gig, there are too many favourites! I have to say that there is a special place in my heart however for my clients and deals that are Nordic. Hard work and striving for perfection but at the same time having fun and displaying real humility!

Christina Catzoela

Knowledgeable and practical advisor to venture capital firms and emerging growth technology companies from formation through exit on a variety of issues, including formation, venture capital financings, mergers & acquisitions, IPOs and other corporate and securities law matters. Read More

Clients I've worked with: Contentful Global | Weave Communications | Stripe | Kapor Capital | All Raise

Contact me Partner, Seattle ccatzoela@orrick.com +1 206 839 4331

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

It's energizing to work in an industry that is all about innovation and to help investors and founders who are working to make that innovation possible.
Where do you find inspiration in life?

I find inspiration in learning new things. I'm constantly trying to pick up new skills (currently learning to play the guitar and trying to level up my UTSA tennis rating) and love that I am always learning something new in my practice, whether it's about a new product from one of my clients or a novel legal issue presented by developments in technology.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

I'd probably be a nurse or some other profession in healthcare. Prior to making the pivot to law, I was a pre-med undergrad and still find the science and caring aspects of medicine compelling.
What is your ideal weekend?

Snowboarding our local mountain with my partner and kids.

John V. Bautista

I am a lawyer and trusted advisor to companies. I am also a co-founder of two YC-backed companies. I am passionate about scaling transformative ideas. I’ve been working with emerging companies and their investors for more than 30 years. Read More

Contact me Partner, San Francisco jbautista@orrick.com +1 650 614 7652

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

Tech companies shape our future and I am inspired by working with founders who make the world a better place.
What inspired you to become an emerging companies and venture capital lawyer?

I’ve been part of the Silicon Valley ecosystem for a long time. I wanted to be a trusted advisor to founders and investors and provide practical and innovative advice to help them grow leading innovative companies.
Tell us about one of your mentors.

Craig Johnson, who was the founder of Venture Law Group, was a visionary in innovating around the practice of law and showing what it means to be a trusted advisor to clients. I joined Venture Law Group early in my career, and Craig’s vision continues to influence the way I practice and interact with clients and colleagues.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

I would spend more time helping San Francisco regain its prominence as the technology capital of the world and one of the world’s greatest cities to live in, work and visit.
Tell us something we'd be surprised to know about you.

I served as Mayor of the City of Cupertino and as a council member from 1993-1997, where I helped build important public partnerships, including with Apple Computer, the Mid-Peninsula Open Space Preserve, and San Jose and California Water Companies. I also love spending time with my partner, Pedro, and our two kids (Leo and Lucia), as well as mentoring my three older kids as they pursue their careers.
What technology are you most excited to see develop?

AI, legal technology and the nexus of the two.

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