Our Team

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

Show alphabetically:

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

Mike O'Donnell

For forty years I have been helping founders start and grow companies in the life science space. I have extensive experience with spin-outs, angel and venture financings, drug development project funding, strategic collaborations, technology licensing, acquisitions, and public offerings. I enjoy solving complex problems by coming up with innovative solutions combining business judgment developed over the years with awareness of key legal issues.

Contact me Partner, Silicon Valley [email protected] +1 650 614 7439

Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

Helping founders build companies that are curing life threatening diseases.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

I would be head coach of a Division 1 college lacrosse team. I played undergrad at Bucknell, was an assistant coach at Harvard and was the first coach of the Gunn High School team in Palo Alto. I still play in summer league trying to keep up with the youngsters and play with people closer to my own age in tournaments such as Vail.
What is your ideal weekend?

A three hour mountain bike ride followed by a cold IPA!
What's the best advice you've ever received?

A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan next week.

Carl Oldenbourg

As part of Orrick's German Technology Companies Group, I work closely with early- and growth-stage technology companies. My practice includes incorporations, corporate governance, US-German structuring, and equity and non-equity financing, providing tailored support to innovative businesses navigating complex legal challenges.

Clients I've worked with: Levy Health | auxmoney | Kenbi

Contact me Associate, Munich [email protected] +49 89 38398 0124

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

Tech companies inspire me with their relentless innovation and ambition. I enjoy helping founders bring groundbreaking ideas to life, tackling legal challenges, and watching their businesses thrive in dynamic industries.
What inspired you to become an emerging companies and venture capital lawyer?

My dad, who’s a lawyer himself, inspired me to pursue law, and my affinity for tech drew me toward the dynamic world of startups. I’ve always loved the energy of early-stage businesses, where every decision feels impactful, and I knew venture capital law would let me work directly with founders building the future. Plus, there’s nothing like combining my interest in tech with a chance to make real-world projects happen.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

If I weren’t a tech lawyer, I'd be an outdoor survival YouTuber—teaching bushcraft, exploring remote places, and making a living by staying alive. It’s not so different from law, really: it’s all about adjusting, persevering, and thinking ahead.
What is your ideal weekend?

An eventful night out, restful mornings, making progress on personal projects, good food, long walks, and some downtime on the couch.

Jake Ornstein

I represent start-up founders and high-growth technology companies, as well as venture capital and other private equity funds. I have broad experience working closely with clients building and investing in a wide range of technology sectors and supporting these clients on core corporate and transactional matters, including financings, mergers and acquisitions and corporate formation and governance matters.

Contact me Partner, New York [email protected] +1 212 506 5296

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

The founders and teams from our tech company clients -- it's incredibly inspiring to watch firsthand as they push the envelope to develop solutions to incredibly complex sets of problems.
What inspired you to become an emerging companies and venture capital lawyer?

I've always had an interest in supporting clients as they navigate and seek solutions to their most critical legal issues, which are often found at the intersection of legal and business workstreams. This is what initially drew me to working with clients in the emerging companies and venture capital ecosystem. As lawyers working with clients in this space, we have a unique window into their businesses and operations, which is not only exciting given what our clients are building, but also allows us to provide comprehensive business-minded solutions to their most pressing legal challenges.
Where do you find inspiration in life?

Spending time with my wife and three daughters.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

I love working in the tech ecosystem, so, if I weren't a tech lawyer, it would be fantastic to help start a company or work on the investment side of a VC fund.

See all