Podcast appearances and mentions of wilson sonsini

Emma Game, Partner at Wilson Sonsini in London, where she focuses on tax advice for high growth startups. In this discussion we talk about considerations CFOs in Tech need to keep front of mind. We explore permanent establishment risks and learn when sales taxes and VAT might kick in. Taking the perspective of a UK based Tech business expanding internationally.We highlight typical issues that can emerge in an acquisition process with insights on typical ‘red flag' issues to be aware of. Whilst Wilson Sonsini are a leading law firm in the US and UK, please keep in mind that none of this discussion constitutes legal advice.

(0:00) Intro.(1:27) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.(2:14) Start of interview. *Reference to prior episodes/reports with Richard (E126 from Feb 2024 and E158 from Dec 2024)(3:11) AI dominance in public and private markets(4:14) About WSGR's 2025 SV150 Corporate Governance Report. Major Findings in DEI Disclosure (impact on board diversity)(12:25) Broader ESG Changes and Challenges to SEC Climate Disclosure Rule(16:03) California approach to climate risk disclosures (SB 253 and SB 261) and greenhouse gas emissions disclosure(19:04) State vs. Federal Regulatory Landscape(21:13) On SEC's change of policy relating to mandatory arbitration bylaws(23:41) SEC Changes Under Chair Atkins: changes in exec comp disclosures and removing quarterly reporting (27:18) SEC Changes to Rule 14a-8 proposals(29:23) On Lack of Minority Party SEC Commissioners(32:30) Delaware vs. Other States on Corporate Incorporations(39:26) Other findings from the 2025 report. Including on dual-class shares and sunset provisions.(41:12) The State of Private Markets, IPOs and VC(49:55) Biggest winner in business in 2025(50:55) Biggest loser in business in 2025(53:00)  Biggest business surprise in 2025(54:32) Best and worst corporate governance trend from 2025(58:18)  What's the biggest corporate governance trend to watch out for in 2026Richard Blake is a partner at Wilson Sonsini and the leader of the firm's public companies' practice. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

Welcome to AI Unraveled (December 05, 2025): Your daily strategic briefing on the business impact of AI.

At a moment when our country can feel deeply divided, and when progress on clean energy can feel uncertain, this month's guest — former U.S. Secretary of Energy and two-term Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm — couldn't be timelier.It was the perfect moment to take stock of where we are as an industry. After years of historic progress, we're now facing growing uncertainty about what comes next. The optimism that followed the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the CHIPS and Science Act can feel harder to access — and yet gatherings like this live recording and New Dawn, our thousand-person sold-out annual party hosted the following evening, remind us how far we've come and how powerful it is when this community comes together.Special thanks to this year's New Dawn Terawatt sponsors, Silicon Valley Bank and Wilson Sonsini, for helping make gatherings like these possible.For me, this interview was personal — and a bit of a full-circle moment. I've admired Governor Granholm for years. We first met over a decade ago, when she served as a judge for one of Powerhouse's early hackathons, and even then, her conviction and optimism left a lasting impression.Her legacy in public service is one of transformation — from rebuilding Michigan's economy to reshaping the Department of Energy's role in accelerating the clean energy transition. At DOE, Granholm led an unprecedented expansion of clean energy deployment and manufacturing, rebuilding supply chains, creating jobs, and helping position the United States as a global leader in the energy transition.In a moment when federal leadership can feel disconnected from what our country truly needs for clean, abundant energy and lasting progress, Governor Granholm is a reminder of what grounded, forward-thinking, and empathetic leadership can achieve. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.About Powerhouse Innovation and Powerhouse Ventures Powerhouse Ventures backs seed stage startups developing innovative software to advance clean energy, mobility, and industry. If you are thinking about building something in this space, get in touch with our team.Powerhouse Innovation is a best in class consulting firm, powered by the strongest energy innovation network, data and team in our industry. We partner with world's leading corporations, investors, and utilities to source and evaluate disruptive startups shaping the future of energy and industry.To hear more stories of founders building our energy abundant future, hit the “subscribe” button and leave us a review.

Everyone agrees it takes too long and costs too much to build energy infrastructure in America, but what exactly needs fixing, and can we make progress without rolling back vital environmental protections?In this special episode of Energy Gang, recorded live at the ACORE Grid Forum in Washington D.C., host Ed Crooks takes a deep dive into one of the most complex and consequential issues in US energy policy: permitting reform. Ed begins the episode in conversation with Matt Christiansen, partner at Wilson Sonsini and former General Counsel at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Drawing on his experience inside the commission, Matt explains where the real choke points lie in the permitting process, how federal and state powers intersect, and what the newly confirmed FERC commissioners could do to accelerate much-needed grid investment.Later, Ed sits down with three experts who work daily on these challenges in Congress and the private sector: Elizabeth Horner, partner at ArentFox Schiff and former counsel to Senators Shelley Moore Capito and John Barrasso; Daniel Palken, Director of Infrastructure for Energy and Permitting at Arnold Ventures; and Jeremy Horan, Permitting Lead at ACORE. Together, they unpack the politics behind reform, the relationship between permitting and transmission planning, and the growing urgency created by surging power demand from data centers and new manufacturing.The group also discusses the mood in Washington, and hopes that bipartisan momentum can be built to support pragmatic, economy-wide permitting reform.This episode is the first of two recorded live at the ACORE Grid Forum, where industry leaders, regulators, and policymakers came together to discuss the future of America's electricity system.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Day in Legal History: Little Rock NineOn September 23, 1957, nine African American students, later known as the Little Rock Nine, were barred from entering Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, despite a federal court order mandating desegregation. This confrontation became a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and a key test of federal authority to enforce the Supreme Court's 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus had deployed the National Guard earlier that month to prevent the students from entering the school, citing concerns about public safety. On September 23, the students attempted to enter the school through a side door. Although they briefly succeeded, a growing and increasingly violent white mob outside forced officials to remove the students for their safety. The local police were unable to contain the mob, highlighting the state's failure to comply with federal law.The national spotlight turned sharply toward Little Rock, prompting President Dwight D. Eisenhower to intervene. The next day, September 24, he federalized the Arkansas National Guard and sent in the 101st Airborne Division to enforce the students' right to attend the school, which they did under armed guard on September 25.This event marked the first time since Reconstruction that federal troops were used in the South to enforce civil rights. It underscored the constitutional principle of federal supremacy and the power of the federal government to uphold civil rights against state resistance.President Trump is set to sign an executive order this week confirming that a proposed deal to restructure TikTok's U.S. operations will satisfy the 2024 law requiring divestment from its Chinese parent, ByteDance. Under the arrangement, ByteDance would retain less than 20% ownership, while American investors—including Trump-aligned figures like Lachlan Murdoch, Larry Ellison, and Michael Dell—would take control of the U.S. business. The restructuring would install a U.S.-based board with national security credentials, aiming to quell longstanding fears that TikTok user data could be accessed by the Chinese government.The executive order also pauses enforcement of the divestment mandate for 120 days, buying time to finalize the deal and secure regulatory sign-offs. While the U.S. government will not take a board seat or a “golden share,” it remains unclear whether the final agreement will involve any direct financial benefit to the federal government. Still, Trump's fingerprints are all over the transaction, from its nationalistic framing to the prominent role of political allies in the investor pool. He's even credited TikTok with helping him connect to young voters—a not-so-subtle nod to the platform's political utility heading into 2026.This deal marks rare progress in U.S.-China economic talks, which have been largely stalled amid broader trade tensions. But it also reflects a larger trend: Trump's willingness to insert the federal government directly into private sector negotiations, whether by greenlighting chip exports to China or taking equity in major tech firms. Critics argue such moves undermine free-market principles and risk long-term damage to U.S. competitiveness. Supporters, however, see it as strategic economic defense.In short, Trump's TikTok solution is part national security play, part corporate reshuffling, and part political theater. Whether it holds up legally—or operationally—may matter less than the narrative: the U.S. regaining control of a culturally dominant platform while sidelining Beijing.Lachlan Murdoch, Michael Dell, Ellison involved in TikTok deal, Trump says | ReutersTrump will sign order declaring TikTok deal meets 2024 law requirements | ReutersK&L Gates is closing its Beijing office, becoming the latest U.S. law firm to retreat from China amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and a sluggish legal market. The Pittsburgh-based firm will consolidate its Beijing operations into its Shanghai office following a leadership review of global strategy and real estate. The move comes under new global managing partner Stacy Ackermann, who took the helm in July.Though K&L Gates will maintain a presence in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and elsewhere in Asia, its exit from Beijing reflects a broader trend. Over the past two years, major U.S. firms like Wilson Sonsini, Cleary Gottlieb, and Winston & Strawn have also shuttered offices in China due to declining deal flow and increased scrutiny of foreign businesses. While some firms continue to operate in Chinese cities, the heyday of aggressive U.S. legal expansion into China—peaking about a decade ago—appears to be over. The firm's departure underscores the mounting challenges of navigating China's legal environment in an era of strategic decoupling.K&L Gates closes Beijing office as US law firms continue China market retreat | ReutersZillow is facing a new proposed class action lawsuit accusing it of deceiving homebuyers by steering them toward its own network of affiliated agents rather than the actual listing agents. Filed in Seattle, the suit claims Zillow's platform misleads users into contacting agents who financially benefit the company—sometimes giving Zillow as much as 40% of their commissions—without disclosing this arrangement to buyers or sellers.The plaintiff, an Oregon resident, argues that these tactics violate both Washington state consumer protection laws and federal real estate laws by inflating commissions and limiting consumer choice. The suit alleges Zillow's practices result in higher home prices and a lack of transparency about who truly represents the buyer's interests. The legal team behind the suit characterizes Zillow's business model as one that exploits consumers' need for housing to boost profits.Zillow has pushed back, calling the lawsuit a misrepresentation of its operations and defending its model as pro-consumer. This case adds to a growing list of legal challenges for the real estate giant, which is already battling other lawsuits over competition and marketing practices, including one from brokerage Compass and another from Homes.com owner CoStar.New lawsuit accuses Zillow of deceiving home buyers | ReutersMy column for Bloomberg this week argues that as states try to modernize sales tax rules for the digital economy, they should stop framing digital offerings as either “goods” or “services” and start taxing them based on function. The Multistate Tax Commission (MTC) is circulating a proposal to define “automated digital products” as those sold with minimal human intervention. While well-intentioned, this definition is fuzzy and risks creating more confusion than clarity. For example, how do we categorize a chatbot that occasionally escalates to a live agent, or AI tools that require ongoing human training? These gray areas aren't new—states have spent years litigating whether software is tangible, intangible, or a service, and this could be a repeat of that same cycle.Instead of defining digital products by how much human effort goes into delivering them, we should define them by what they do. A Netflix subscription is entertainment. QuickBooks is a productivity tool. Therapy on Zoom is health care. Consumers already experience digital services this way, and tax codes should align accordingly. Function-based categories would mirror existing tax practices, like how business deductions or ticket sales are handled, and would be far easier to scale to emerging technologies.It's true that a functional model still faces edge cases—ChatGPT, for instance, could be research, productivity, or entertainment depending on use. But these are better problems to have than trying to parse human involvement in the delivery pipeline. If states want to tax digital products sensibly, they need a system that reflects how people actually use these tools, not how they're coded or deployed. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Today's show:Jason sits down with Wilson Sonsini partner Chris Paniewski for part two of our Startup Legal Basics series on AI law — this time tackling the question every founder is asking: who owns the output of AI systems?Chris has advised on some of the biggest AI deals in history, and in this episode he helps break down how intellectual property law is colliding with generative AI.Jason and Chris cover:What kinds of IP rights might apply to AI-generated output (copyrights, patents, trade secrets)Why human authorship is central to copyright lawWhether prompts are protectable IPHow GenAI platforms' terms of service affect ownershipReal-world examples from Star Wars to Wirecutter to WarholWhat startups should document when using AI in developmentHow investors diligence AI companies on IP strategyIf you're a founder, investor, or operator trying to understand how to responsibly use AI without losing your IP, this conversation is essential.*Timestamps:(0:00) Jason introduces part two of Startup Legal Basics with Chris Paniewski(1:20) Star Wars example: using LLMs to generate existing IP(3:10) Human authorship requirement in copyright law(5:25) Prompts, super-prompts, and the role of creative control(7:45) Photography analogy & the “monkey selfie” case(10:00) Patents, inventorship, and AI-generated inventions(12:05) Startups balancing speed to market vs. protectable IP(14:15) How to layer human creativity on top of AI output(16:20) Fair use, derivative works, and investor diligence*Check Out Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.comCheck out all of the Startup Basics episodes here: https://thisweekinstartups.com/basics*Follow Chris:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-paniewski-09331a59/*Follow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis*Follow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Delaware recently changed its corporate laws to make them more favorable to companies being sued by their shareholders and the mega-firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz was deeply involved in that process. That's raising some eyebrows because Wachtell is also a go-to firm for companies in Delaware, often called the corporate capital of the world. Lawyers from other prominent firms, like Wilson Sonsini and Richards, Layton & Finger, also helped shape the law. On this episode of our podcast, On The Merits, Bloomberg Law's Jennifer Kay and Roy Strom talk about what firms like Wachtell did in Delaware, what they stand to gain, and what all this has to do with Elon Musk's so-called "DExit." Do you have feedback on this episode of On The Merits? Give us a call and leave a voicemail at 703-341-3690.

Jason sits down with Wilson Sonsini partner Chris Paniewski for a special Startup Legal Basics on one of the thorniest questions in tech right now: how copyright law applies to AI training data.Chris has worked on some of the biggest AI deals ever — including Scale AI's $14B+ partnership with Meta and OpenAI's $6.5B acquisition of Jony Ive's design studio — and brings practical, on-the-ground insights from advising leading AI companies.In this episode, Jason and Chris cover:Why AI copyright law is unsettled and will take years to shake outThe difference between training data and output in legal termsHow “fair use” really works (and why it's a defense, not a permission slip)The risks of scraping vs. licensing, and why open source ≠ free useHow investors are diligencing AI startups around training dataWhy startups must think differently once they're funded vs. hacking in a dorm roomWhether you're building an AI product, investing in one, or just trying to understand where the law is headed, this conversation breaks down the real legal risks every founder should know.Timestamps:(0:00) Jason introduces the Startup Legal Basics series & Chris Paniewski(1:25) Why AI copyright law is unsettled(3:40) Training data: scraping vs. licensing(6:05) Open web ≠ open license; pitfalls around terms of service(8:15) Investor diligence & risks around training data(11:00) Open source & Creative Commons: common founder mistakes(13:25) “Fair use” explained: the four-part test(15:45) Why most disputes never make it to case lawCheck Out Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.comCheck out all of the Startup Basics episodes here: https://thisweekinstartups.com/basicsFollow Chris:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-paniewski-09331a59/Follow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanisFollow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Now is the time for all of us to think of ourselves as entrepreneurs in residence, designing the future of compliance. In this episode of the Great Women in Compliance Podcast, GWIC co-host Hemma Lomax speaks with Kathy Zhu, Co-Founder and CEO of Streamline AI, about her journey from big law to in-house legal at DoorDash to launching her own legal tech company.   They discuss the importance of adopting an entrepreneurial mindset within compliance and legal departments, the journey of building innovative solutions like Streamline AI, and how addressing workflow pain points can revolutionize the industry. Kathy shares her personal journey, practical tips for aspiring entrepreneurs, and insights on leveraging technology to optimize legal operations for the future. Kathy's story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship as a service. Tune in to hear how frustration became innovation, why compliance leaders are uniquely positioned to design the future of our field, and how each of us can become a tech influencer inside our organizations. ✨ You'll hear: Why compliance leaders should see themselves as entrepreneurs in residence. How Kathy turned workflow chaos into a scalable AI-driven product. Practical ways to start experimenting with tech and influence the next generation of compliance. This conversation is a powerful reminder that the future of compliance isn't something we wait for — it's something we create. Guest Bio: Kathy Zhu Kathy Zhu is the Co-Founder, CEO, and General Counsel of Streamline AI, a workflow intelligence platform transforming how in-house legal and compliance teams manage intake, triage, and operational efficiency. Kathy began her career at Wilson Sonsini, advising startups and emerging companies on incorporations, financings, and IPOs before moving in-house. At Medallia and later as the first commercial counsel at DoorDash, she experienced firsthand the growing pains of legal and compliance operations at scale. Frustrated by inefficiencies, she hacked together her own solutions — an experiment that became the foundation for Streamline AI. Today, Kathy leads Streamline AI in its mission to empower compliance and legal teams to operate as strategic business partners, supported by data, automation, and seamless integrations. She is also an advocate for women in leadership and brings lessons from her passions, such as scuba diving and meditation, into how she leads with calmness and clarity under pressure. Resources & Links: Learn more about Streamline AI: https://www.streamline.ai Kathy's WSJ/SpotDraft interview: SpotDraft Counsel Corner Alumni spotlight: Wilson Sonsini – Kathy Zhu Watch Kathy's podcast episode: Being a Business-Minded Lawyer (YouTube) Follow Kathy on LinkedIn: Kathy Zhu Podcast Recommendations:  How I Built This with Guy Raz Lenny's Podcast with Lenny Rachitsky Book Recommendation: Three Horizons Framework by Bill Sharpe

Today's show:Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw returns to Startup Legal Basics with Jason. This time, they dive into the “have” companies — the breakout startups with multiple term sheets, competitive valuations, and unusual deal terms.From founder voting proxies to mandatory follow-on investment clauses, Becki breaks down the creative “off-menu” structures showing up in today's financings, and what founders and investors need to watch for.Whether you're a founder navigating investor FOMO or a VC competing to get on the best cap tables, this conversation will give you insight into the new rules of the game.*Timestamps:(0:00) Jason welcomes Becki back to Startup Legal Basics(0:32) The “haves” vs. “have-nots” in today's startup market(1:28) Creative legal structures: the “off-menu” items(4:19) Travis' Uber favor & modern founder asks(7:05) Rise of secondaries & unusual board structures(11:22) Mandatory follow-on investment clauses in seed rounds?(14:13) Crypto's resurgence and legal implications(15:55) The decline of proper diligence in hot deals*Check Out Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.comCheck out all of the Startup Basics episodes here: https://thisweekinstartups.com/basics*Follow Becki:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-degraw-639bbb62/*Follow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis*Follow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Today's show:Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw returns to Startup Legal Basics with Jason to break down what's happening in today's startup market. From excess dry powder on the VC side to companies struggling to “grow into” their valuations, Becki shares what founders need to know about deal terms, pay-to-play provisions, and the shift from the 2021 heyday to today's more structured environment.Why down rounds and structured deals are becoming more commonHow “pay-to-play” works (and why it's showing up so often now)The psychology of VCs vs. founders during tough fundraisesWhat the M&A landscape really looks like in 2025Legal provisions investors are using to protect themselves in today's talent warsWhether you're a founder preparing for your next round or an investor navigating tougher terms, this conversation will help you understand the new realities of startup fundraising.*Timestamps:(0:00) Becki DeGraw joins Jason for Startup Legal Basics(1:12) The “perfect storm” shaping today's startup market(4:30) Companies struggling to grow into 2021 valuations(6:31) Why down rounds and structured deals are rising(8:59) Pay-to-play explained: what happens if investors don't participate(15:43) The mid-market M&A wave vs. big tech acquisitions(20:37) Talent wars, acqui-hires, and protective legal provisions*Check Out Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.comCheck out all of the Startup Basics episodes here: https://thisweekinstartups.com/basics*Follow Becki:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-degraw-639bbb62/*Follow Jason:X: https://twitter.com/JasonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis*Follow TWiST:Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartupsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartupsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartupsSubstack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Craig Walker is the founder and CEO of Dialpad, a business communications platform powered by AI. A former M&A lawyer turned serial entrepreneur, Craig previously co-founded GrandCentral (acquired by Google and relaunched as Google Voice) and sold his prior company to Yahoo. In this episode, Craig shares how his career unfolded from door-to-door dictation sales to running a 1,500-person company, and how AI became central to Dialpad's strategy long before the hype cycle.Craig opens up about the loneliness of leadership, his bet-the-company acquisition of TalkIQ, and the hardest day of his career when four high-stakes deals all hinged on one phone call. He also explains why he still avoids hiring a COO, how he evaluates executive talent, and why long-term trust is his leadership superpower.Whether you're building in AI, navigating founder-operator transitions, or learning to scale without burning out, Craig's story is packed with hard-earned lessons and honest insights.Where to find Craig:DialpadLinkedInTimestamps:(00:00) Starting in door-to-door sales (02:54) What Craig learned about grit from early sales jobs (04:42) From Apple to law school to M&A at Wilson Sonsini (07:22) How Cisco influenced his approach to acquisitions (08:32) The founding of GrandCentral and acquisition by Google (09:12) Leaving Google to build again (13:22) Why Craig couldn't stay a middle manager (14:53) What Dialpad is and how it started (17:36) Google Ventures' support and early Dialpad funding (21:03) What startup life looked like in the pool house (24:17) Family trade-offs and how Craig stayed connected (28:23) Acquiring TalkIQ and the AI unlock (33:37) Why Dialpad was years ahead in AI (35:09) Lessons from integrating an early-stage acquisition (37:43) What tech reveals about culture (39:39) How Craig grew from scrappy founder to CEO (42:20) Delegating to operators while staying strategic (43:30) Why hiring executives is so hard (47:23) How he evaluates cultural fit and long-term potential (49:26) Loyalty, longevity, and building a trusted leadership team (50:57) Craig's moment of truth and the most stressful day of his career (55:48) What he wishes he knew earlier (57:46) His advice for founders in the AI eraIn this episode, you'll learn:How to evaluate and integrate an early-stage acquisitionWhy trust and long-term relationships build company resilienceWhat most founders get wrong about hiring senior executivesWhy naivete is an advantage in fast-changing marketsHow to stay optimistic in the face of startup volatilityWhy Craig empowers teams with autonomy, not layersHow a founder mindset helps navigate economic shocksWhat it takes to lead through multiple tech transitionsHow to pick colleagues  and partners you can grow with for decadesConnect with Alisa! Follow Alisa Cohn on Instagram: @alisacohn Twitter: @alisacohn Facebook: facebook.com/alisa.cohn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisacohn/ Website: http://www.alisacohn.com Download her 5 scripts for delicate conversations (and 1 to make your life better) Grab a copy of From Start-Up to Grown-Up by Alisa Cohn from Amazon

About MatiMati is currently Co-Founder & COO at School In One, an EdTech App (Endeavor ScaleUp 2025 Miami-based) operating in the USA as a SaaS or "SIS" (Student Information System) for K12 schools (kindergarten to 12th grade). The platform also operates back in LatAm, with +700,000 users, 40 full-time employees, $2.5M ARR, and +800 schools in 120 different cities. The team raised $500K from one Investor in LatAm for the US market expansion.Over the last few years, he helped +300 startups internationalize in Miami, with an accelerator that Mati co-managed until October 2023, owned by businessman Moishe Mana. During that moment, He structured strategic alliances with Dell for Startups, Wilson Sonsini, Zendesk, Delta & LatAm Airlines, Marriott, Deel, and acceleration, internationalization, and local economy promotion programs with Microsoft, IDB, ProChile, ProColombia, Uruguay XXI, Ingenio Incubadora, Ganesha Lab, etc., bringing $1M ARR and growing the team from 2 to 8 people.Learn more about Mati on LinkedIn. School In One websiteInstagram: School In OneLinkedIn: School In OneAbout RachelleEducator, Keynote Speaker, Consultant, Attorney, and AuthorSubscribe to my ⁠newsletter⁠.Check out my ⁠blog⁠ and submit a guest blog.Contact me for speaking & training related to AI, AI and the law, Cybersecurity, SEL, STEM, and more!⁠bit.ly/thriveineduPD⁠Interested in a sponsored podcast or collaboration? Contact me! Rdene915@gmail.com

Recorded live at the 2025 GeekWire Awards in Seattle, this episode features industry leaders navigating a shifting tech and political landscape. Amid celebrations of AI breakthroughs, startup milestones, and community-building, guests discuss deeper concerns: capital flight, regulatory headwinds, and what the region needs to retain its innovation edge. Featured on the show: Ambika Singh, founder and CEO of Armoire (Workplace of the Year winner) Joseph Williams, Washington State Department of Commerce (Public Policy Champion for Innovation) Emer Dooley, Creative Destruction Lab, University of Washington (Geeks Give Back honoree) Laura Ruderman, CEO of the Technology Alliance Aviel Ginzburg, co-founder at Foundations (Geeks Give Back honoree) Anand Subbaraj, CEO of Zuper (CEO of the Year finalist) Related coverage: GeekWire Awards 2025 revealed: Community ‘alive and well’ at annual celebration of best in tech Photos: Inside the GeekWire Awards, where it was ‘game on’ for a night of networking and more Presented by Astound Business Solutions, with category sponsors BECU, Baker Tilly, JLL, WTIA, Alltech, Wilson Sonsini, and First Tech. With GeekWire co-founder Todd Bishop.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farah Gasmi is the Co-founder and CPO of Dioptra, the accurate and customizable AI agent that drafts playbooks and consistently redlines contracts in Microsoft Word. Dioptra is trusted by some of the most innovative teams, like Y Combinator and Wilson Sonsini. She has over 10 years of experience building AI products in healthcare, insurance, and tech for companies like Spotify. Farah is also an adjunct professor at Columbia Business School in NYC. She teaches a Product Management course with a focus on AI and data products. Laurie Ehrlich is the Chief Legal Officer at Dioptra, a cutting-edge legal tech startup revolutionizing contract redlining and playbook generation with AI. With a background leading legal operations and commercial contracting at Datadog and Cognizant, Laurie has deep expertise in scaling legal functions to drive business impact. She began her career in intellectual property law at top firms and holds a JD from NYU School of Law and a BS from Cornell. Passionate about innovation and diversity in tech, Laurie has also been a champion for women in leadership throughout her career. In this episode… Contract review can be time-consuming and complex, especially when working with third-party agreements that use unfamiliar language and formats. Legal teams often rely on manual review processes that make it challenging to maintain consistency across contracts, contributing to inefficiencies and increased costs. That's why businesses need an effective solution that reduces the burden of contract analysis while supporting legal and strategic decision-making. Dioptra, a legal tech startup, helps solve these challenges by leveraging AI to automate first-pass contract reviews, redline contracts, and generate playbooks. The AI agent analyzes past agreements to identify patterns, standard language, and key risk areas, allowing teams to streamline the review process. It supports a range of use cases — from NDAs to real estate deals — while improving consistency and reducing review time. Dioptra also enhances post-execution analysis by enabling companies to assess past agreements for compliance and risk exposure. In this episode of She Said Privacy/He Said Security, Jodi and Justin Daniels speak with Farah Gasmi, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Dioptra, and Laurie Ehrlich, the Chief Legal Officer at Dioptra, about how AI is used to streamline contract reviews. Together, they discuss how Dioptra accelerates contract reviews, supports security and privacy through strict data controls, and enables organizations to build smarter, more consistent contract processes — without removing the need for expert human judgment. Farah and Laurie also delve into the importance of AI-driven consistency in contract negotiation, vendor security evaluations, and how companies can safeguard sensitive data when using AI tools.

SelectUSA Summit, 11-14 May 2024, Washington, DChttps://www.selectusasummit.us/--Dan Glazer, daniel.glazer@wsgr.comhttps://www.wsgr.com/en/..Feel free to contact us with any questionsBill Kenney, bill@meetroi.comMEET, http://meetroi.com/

This Day in Legal History: 13th Amendment PassedOn January 31, 1865, the U.S. Congress passed the 13th Amendment, formally abolishing slavery in the United States. The amendment declared that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." While President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had freed enslaved people in Confederate-held territories two years earlier, it lacked the permanence of a constitutional amendment. The House of Representatives passed the measure by a vote of 119 to 56, narrowly reaching the required two-thirds majority after intense political maneuvering. The Senate had already approved it in April 1864. Ratification by the states followed, culminating in its adoption on December 6, 1865. The amendment marked a legal end to slavery, but systemic racial discrimination persisted through Black Codes, Jim Crow laws, and other restrictive measures. Despite this, the 13th Amendment laid the foundation for future civil rights advancements. Its passage was a key victory for abolitionists and a defining moment of the Civil War's aftermath. The amendment's "punishment for crime" clause later became a subject of controversy, as it allowed convict leasing and forced labor in prisons, disproportionately affecting Black Americans. Even today, debates continue over its implications for the U.S. prison system.Fox Rothschild LLP has blocked its lawyers from using DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, due to concerns about client data security. While the firm allows AI tools like ChatGPT with restrictions, DeepSeek's data storage in China raises unique risks, according to Mark G. McCreary, the firm's chief AI and information security officer. A recent data breach involving DeepSeek further heightened security concerns. Other major law firms, including Wilson Sonsini and Polsinelli, are also implementing strict vetting processes for new AI models. Wilson Sonsini requires its chief information security officer and general counsel to approve AI tools before use, while Polsinelli enforces firm-wide restrictions on unapproved AI software. Law firms are also monitoring AI use by third-party vendors to ensure compliance with security protocols. McCreary emphasized that established legal tech companies prioritize data protection, reducing the risk of firms switching to less secure AI models.Fox Rothschild Blocks DeepSeek's AI Model for Attorney UseA federal appeals court has ruled that the U.S. government's ban on licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to adults under 21 is unconstitutional. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a previous ruling, citing the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which requires modern gun laws to align with historical firearm regulations. The federal ban, enacted in 1968, was challenged by young adults and gun rights groups, who argued it violated the Second Amendment. Judge Edith Jones, writing for the court, found insufficient historical evidence to justify restricting gun sales for 18-to-20-year-olds. The ruling marks a major shift in gun policy, aligning with broader legal trends expanding Second Amendment protections. The Justice Department, which defended the ban under the Biden administration, has not yet commented on the decision. Gun rights advocates hailed the ruling as a victory against age-based firearm restrictions.US ban on gun sales to adults under age 21 is unconstitutional, court rules | ReutersIn a piece for Techdirt, Karl Bode critiques the Trump FCC's decision to roll back efforts to curb exclusive broadband deals between landlords and internet providers. The Biden FCC had attempted to update outdated rules that allowed ISPs to form monopolies within apartment buildings, driving up prices and reducing competition. However, due to delays caused by industry opposition and the failed nomination of reformer Gigi Sohn, key proposals—including a ban on bulk billing—were left unapproved. When Brendan Carr took over as FCC chair under Trump, he quickly scrapped these pending consumer protections. Bode argues that U.S. telecom policy is stuck in a cycle where Democrats make half-hearted attempts at reform, only for Republicans to dismantle them entirely under the guise of deregulation. The result is a landscape where telecom giants and landlords continue to collude, leaving consumers with fewer choices, higher costs, and poor service.The Trump FCC Makes It Easier For Your Landlord And Your ISP To Collude To Rip You Off | TechdirtBally's Chicago casino project is facing a legal challenge over its commitment to reserving 25% of its investment opportunities for women and people of color. Conservative activist Edward Blum, known for spearheading lawsuits against affirmative action, filed the suit on behalf of two white men who claim they were unfairly excluded from investing. The lawsuit argues that the policy violates federal civil rights law and should be open to all investors regardless of race. This case is part of a broader push against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which gained momentum after a recent executive order from President Trump eliminating DEI programs in the federal government. Bally's maintains that its agreement with the city complies with legal requirements. The lawsuit references an 1866 civil rights law originally meant to protect Black Americans' economic rights and is similar to other cases challenging race-conscious corporate policies. Blum's organization has previously led legal battles against diversity-focused scholarships, grants, and hiring programs, including the Supreme Court case that struck down race-based college admissions in 2023.America's Battle Over DEI Strikes a Chicago Casino's Financing PlanThis week's closing theme is by Franz Schubert.Franz Schubert, one of the most beloved composers of the early Romantic era, was born on this day in 1797 in Vienna, Austria. Though he lived only 31 years, his vast output of music—ranging from symphonies and chamber works to piano music and over 600 songs—continues to inspire musicians and audiences alike. Schubert's music is often characterized by its lyricism, rich harmonies, and deep emotional expression, seamlessly bridging the clarity of the Classical era with the passion of Romanticism.Despite his immense talent, Schubert struggled with financial stability and never achieved widespread fame during his lifetime. He spent much of his career composing in relative obscurity, supported by a close-knit circle of friends and fellow artists. His songs, or lieder, are especially celebrated for their ability to capture both the beauty and melancholy of the human experience, with works like Erlkönig and Winterreise standing as some of the greatest achievements in the genre.His instrumental music, however, remained underappreciated until long after his death. Today, his symphonies, string quartets, and piano sonatas are recognized as masterpieces, filled with lyrical beauty and striking contrasts. Among his later works, the Piano Sonata No. 20 in A major, D. 959 showcases his mature style, blending elegance with deep introspection. The final movement, Rondo: Allegretto, serves as this week's closing theme, capturing both Schubert's charm and his poignant sense of longing.Though he died in 1828, just a year after Beethoven, Schubert's influence only grew in the decades that followed. Composers like Schumann, Brahms, and even Mahler admired his work, helping to cement his legacy as one of music's great geniuses. Today, on the anniversary of his birth, we celebrate the life and music of a composer who, despite facing struggles and setbacks, left behind an extraordinary body of work that continues to resonate across centuries.Without further ado, Franz Schubert's Piano Sonata No. 20 in A major, D. 959.  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Attorneys yearn for the commute. ----- Sullivan & Cromwell are bringing attorneys back to the office five days a week. The stated reason is to mirror "normal business hours" which is a cruel joke in an abnormal business hour industry. Democratic Party superlawyer Marc Elias faces an uprising at his firm after staff proposed a mandatory arbitration agreement despite many of his top clients openly campaigning on... banning mandatory arbitration agreements. Finally, Wilson Sonsini hands out bonuses but pulls a fast one with special payments.

Attorneys yearn for the commute. ----- Sullivan & Cromwell are bringing attorneys back to the office five days a week. The stated reason is to mirror "normal business hours" which is a cruel joke in an abnormal business hour industry. Democratic Party superlawyer Marc Elias faces an uprising at his firm after staff proposed a mandatory arbitration agreement despite many of his top clients openly campaigning on... banning mandatory arbitration agreements. Finally, Wilson Sonsini hands out bonuses but pulls a fast one with special payments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(0:00) Intro.(2:14) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel(3:01) Start of interview. *Reference to prior episode with David (E24 from Nov 2020)(4:22) David's description of the ACGC(7:56) Post-Election Governance Changes (SEC, FTC, etc). ESG and DEI considerations. Federal vs state regulatory matters.(13:06) On crypto and digital assets in the new Trump administration.(14:51) On DOGE led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy(18:46) Delaware's challenge as the Favored Corporate Home(26:54) Elon Musk's Rescinded Compensation in Tornetta v Musk, the plaintiff attorneys' fees.(31:04) On the Rome Conference on AI, Ethics, and the Future of Corporate Governance (April 2024).(35:18) Public Benefit Corporations (PBCs) in the AI industry. On Anthropic's LTBT. On corporate purpose.(46:56) ServiceTitan's compounding IPO ratchet (reference to my article about it). IPO market.(52:06) Biggest winner and loser in business in 2024(53:54) Biggest business surprise in 2024 (55:10) Best and worst corporate governance trend from 2024(57:41) Charter competition among states, and Federal vs. State Corporate Governance(1:00:04) What's the biggest corporate governance trend to watch out for in 2025David Berger is a partner at Wilson Sonsini and serves as the President of the American College of Governance Counsel. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

(0:00) Intro.(2:09) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.(2:56) Start of interview. *Reference to prior episode with Richard (E126 from Feb 2024).(3:46) About his firm's 2024 SV150 Corporate Governance Report.(9:04) On Virtual (Stockholder) Meetings (89% of SV150).(11:23) Board Committee Structures. Audit, Comp, NomGov, and Others.(14:02) On SV150's approach to ESG, impact of new SEC.(18:53) On the evolution of boardroom diversity, impact of CA laws and Nasdaq Diversity Rule.(21:40) Why private ordering will become more important in corporate governance.(22:28) On dual or multi class share structures (-30% of SV150, and of those, 91% have sunset provisions).(25:25) On ServiceTitan's compounding IPO ratchet (reference to my article about it). "Governance is a spectrum"(31:29) On evolution of shareholder proposals in SV150. *Reference to E15 with Jim McRitchie.(36:30) On shareholder activism (7.4%) in SV150.(41:41) On the clawback policies of SV150 companies(48:27) On the backlash to Delaware incorporations and SV moving out of CA. Reference to WSGR's DE's Status as the Favored Corporate Home.(51:49) Biggest winner in business in 2024(53:27) Biggest loser in business in 2024(54:27)  Biggest business surprise in 2024 (56:53) Best and worst corporate governance trend from 2024(58:28)  What's the biggest corporate governance trend to watch out for in 2025Richard Blake is a partner at Wilson Sonsini and the leader of the firm's public companies' practice. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

Guests: Joe Thomas, CEO and co-founder of Loom; and Ilya Fushman, partner at Kleiner PerkinsLoom CEO Joe Thomas had a lot of things to think about before he sold his company to Atlassian for $975 million: The impact an acquisition might have on the product, how to keep the Loom brand alive, the risk of remaining independent... but it wasn't until after the deal was announced that he really understood what it meant for his team. “I didn't know how emotional it'd be for me,” Joe says. “All of the Loom employees, current and former, that reached out when this was announced, they did their calculation and they're like, ‘Oh my God.' That, to me, was the most emotionally transformative part of the process. I didn't fully recognize what that would be like, on the individual front.”Chapters:(01:34) - The Atlassian acquisition (05:25) - The bittersweet moment (08:15) - Transforming Loom (13:30) - Ilya's perspective (18:04) - Life-changing (22:55) - Doing it again (25:00) - Loom's early days (28:26) - The Series A (32:33) - Turning on monetization (35:37) - The Series B (37:05) - Loom AI (43:13) - Revenue orientation (48:18) - The acquisition landscape (52:27) - Working inside Atlassian (54:04) - Atlanta tech (55:00) - Who Atlassian is hiring (55:24) - What “grit” means to Joe Mentioned in this episode: Wilson Sonsini, Vinay Hiremath, Andrew Reed and Sequoia Capital, Zoom, Mike Cannon-Brookes, Shahed Khan, COTU Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Scott Farquhar, the Lindy Effect, SVB, Google Chrome, Dropbox, Slack, Snapchat, HubSpot, the Van Westendorp Price Sensitivity Meter, Dylan Field and Figma, Atlassian Rovo, Palo Alto Networks, Salesforce, and Garrett Langley and Flock Safety.Links:Connect with JoeLinkedInTwitterConnect with IlyaTwitterLinkedInConnect with JoubinTwitterLinkedInEmail: grit@kleinerperkins.com Learn more about Kleiner PerkinsThis episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm

Todays show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they break down challenges in distressed companies(1:04), pay-to-play scenarios (2:31), the importance of a market check in financing (9:25), and high-profile legal and ethical issues (18:03). * Timestamps: (00:00) Wilson Sonsini partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason (1:04) Distressed companies and VCs leaving the board; Challenges in distressed companies (2:31) Insider-led down rounds and pay-to-play scenarios (7:07) Legal actions and stockholder lawsuits in successful turnarounds (9:25) The importance of a market check in financing; Voting against board decisions (18:03) Character and incentives in the startup ecosystem; High-profile legal and ethical issues * Check Out Wilson Sonsini: ⁠⁠https://www.wsgr.com⁠ * Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Becki: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-degraw-639bbb62 * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Todays show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they break down fundraising trends (1:33), the challenges of M&A (7:39), and the evolving regulations for tech companies (13:29). * Timestamps: (00:00) Wilson Sonsini partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason (1:33) Fundraising trends and investor expectations (3:57) Breakeven points and penny warrants (7:39) M&A slowdown and regulatory challenges (13:29) Proposals for M&A regulation reform (16:08) Compliance costs and cybersecurity for startups (19:58) Legal strategies for startups and data policies * Check Out Wilson Sonsini: ⁠⁠https://www.wsgr.com⁠ * Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com⁠ * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Becki: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-degraw-639bbb62 * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

902: AI is reshaping legal services by streamlining tasks and driving innovation, yet it also challenges firms to navigate complex ethical and security issues. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Mike Lucas, Chief Information Officer at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. They discuss the integration of Artificial Intelligence in legal services and how Mike is driving Digital Transformation at one of the world's leading law firms. Mike shares insights on the firm's innovative initiatives, including the development of AI tools like the Neuron platform and pilots with ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. He also delves into the challenges of change management and the ethical considerations of adopting AI in a traditional industry like law.

902: AI is reshaping legal services by streamlining tasks and driving innovation, yet it also challenges firms to navigate complex ethical and security issues. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High interviews Mike Lucas, Chief Information Officer at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. They discuss the integration of Artificial Intelligence in legal services and how Mike is driving Digital Transformation at one of the world's leading law firms. Mike shares insights on the firm's innovative initiatives, including the development of AI tools like the Neuron platform and pilots with ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. He also delves into the challenges of change management and the ethical considerations of adopting AI in a traditional industry like law.

Todays show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they break down common legal oversights (5:26), risks of DIY legal documents (9:15), pro forma cap tables & ESOPS (18:31), and much more! * Timestamps: (00:00) Wilson Sonsini partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason (1:13) Legal preparations for startups and the importance of early legal counsel (5:26) Common Legal Oversights: Cap table, IP assignments, and employment agreements (9:15) Risks of DIY legal documents and safes (11:53) Cap tables and equity management (15:49) Impact of mismanagement on legal and financial outcomes (18:31) Pro forma cap tables and employee stock option plans (ESOPs) (21:39) Preparing for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) scenarios * Check Out Wilson Sonsini: ⁠⁠https://www.wsgr.com⁠ Check Out: https://www.thisweekinstartups.com/basics * Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/ Check out the TWIST500: twist500.com * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Becki: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-degraw-639bbb62 * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Todays show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they break down the current state of startup funding (0:37), anti-dilution provisions (7:11), re-incentivizing management teams (16:23), and much more! * Timestamps: (00:00) Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason (0:37) Market update: Current state of startups and funding (1:21) Consolidated investment trends and the venture capital slowdown (4:23) The importance of due diligence, runway, and down round impacts (7:11) Anti-dilution provisions and strategies for investor communication (16:23) Re-incentivizing management teams and insider-led funding scenarios (23:46) Importance of investor relations and board management * Check Out Wilson Sonsini: ⁠⁠https://www.wsgr.com⁠ * Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/ Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com * Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp * Follow Becki: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-degraw-639bbb62 * Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland * Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow TWiST: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916

Unlock the secrets to successful transatlantic startup expansion with insights from Dan Glazer, the dynamic leader of the US Expansion Group at Wilson Sonsini's London office. Listen to Dan's personal narrative of moving from the US to the UK and his early love affair with London, as well as his instrumental role in initiatives like Tech Nation and the British American Project. Navigate the intricacies of raising venture capital across borders as Dan shares strategies for smoothing cross-border deals through integrated legal teams and the importance of training dual-qualified lawyers. Discover how the influx of American venture funds into London is changing the fundraising landscape for UK and European startups, and learn key tactics to attract US-based investors, including the critical role of having a strong product market fit in the US. Explore the nuances of global venture capital and the strategic considerations for expanding into the US, from the location of talent and proximity to customers, to cost implications and managing teams across time zones. Dan underscores the transformative potential of AI, paralleling it to the dot-com era, and offers practical advice for startups aiming to build a transatlantic presence.  In this episode, you'll hear about: Strategies for raising venture capital across borders Market size impact on early stage fundraising Signals to raise from US investors at an early stage 8 considerations for US business location Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: Wilson Sonsini's US Expansion and Fundraising FAQ link: https://medium.com/@daniel.glazer/u-s-expansion-and-fundraising-a-comprehensive-faq-3bf143cd5249   Website: www.wsgr.com Social Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielcglazer/ Email: daniel.glazer@wsgr.com  Alcorn Immigration Law: Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter Sophie Alcorn Podcast: Episode 139: Why Choose the L-1 for Startups with Nadia Zaidi Episode 162: From Earth to Orbit: A Dialogue on Startups, Export Control, and Space Law with Bailey Reichelt Episode 165: Foreign Roots to Silicon Valley Heights: The Exit Journey of International Founder Alfonso de la Nuez Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook Alcorn Academy course for best practices for securing the O-1A visa, EB-1A green card, or the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) green card—the top options for startup founders. Use promotion code EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

In episode 08 of Careers and The Business of Law: Legal Data Intelligence Series, Omar Haroun chats with David Cowen about his diverse career, starting at top-tier law firms like Wilson Sonsini and Orrick, and leading into his philanthropic work with Indego Africa. They dive into how Omar's passion for "doing well by doing good" shaped his career, spotlighting the power of legal data intelligence to boost both personal and organizational growth. Omar stresses that the next wave of legal pros needs to be adaptable, ethically driven, and savvy about leveraging data's potential to spark real change.   Key Highlights: Omar shares about his multicultural family background, with immigrant parents from Pakistan and Europe, and how their values of hard work and patriotism profoundly influenced him.  Omar discusses his transition to Indego Africa, a social enterprise helping Rwandan women. He was inspired by the concept of 'doing well by doing good,' a revelation that came from his interactions with the organization's founders and his personal experiences in Rwanda. Drawing on the philosophical teachings of Aristotle, Omar articulates his vision for a fulfilling life through achieving potential and ethical living. He links these ideals to his work at LDI, aiming to empower individuals and organizations to harness the full power of legal data. Mentions: Legal Data Intelligence official site: LegalDataIntelligence.org Indego Africa: Indego Africa Wilson Sonsini: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati Orrick: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP Song: Castles in the sand by Jimmy Hendrix  

878: Centuries-old industries like the legal profession and home-building are typically slower to adopt the latest advancements in technology, but even these industries today are taking advantage of the benefits provided by new artificial intelligence tools. In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our most recent Metis Strategy Digital Symposium where Greg Moore, Chief Information Officer at KB Home, and Michael Lucas, Chief Information Officer at Wilson Sonsini discuss the topic of driving digital innovation ahead of disruption with Metis Strategy Partner and West Coast Lead Chris Davis. Greg shares insights into how KB Home uses technology to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations, while Michael explains Wilson Sonsini's use of AI-driven legal tools to improve service delivery. Both leaders highlight the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and adapting to new technologies.

878: Centuries-old industries like the legal profession and home-building are typically slower to adopt the latest advancements in technology, but even these industries today are taking advantage of the benefits provided by new artificial intelligence tools. In this episode of Technovation, we feature a panel from our most recent Metis Strategy Digital Symposium where Greg Moore, Chief Information Officer at KB Home, and Michael Lucas, Chief Information Officer at Wilson Sonsini discuss the topic of driving digital innovation ahead of disruption with Metis Strategy Partner and West Coast Lead Chris Davis. Greg shares insights into how KB Home uses technology to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations, while Michael explains Wilson Sonsini's use of AI-driven legal tools to improve service delivery. Both leaders highlight the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning and adapting to new technologies.

Each week, the leading journalists in legal tech choose their top stories of the week to discuss with our other panelists.   This week's topics: 00:00 - Introductions 08:22 - Wilson Sonsini Brings 'Agentic AI' to Clients With New Neuron Contracting Module (Selected by Stephanie Wilkins) 20:28 - UK industry body launches due diligence questionnaire for vendors who use AI / I could also speak about DWF rolling out Copilot globally (Selected by Caroline Hill) 28:20 - Predicting the Supreme Court (Selected by Joe Patrice) 41:20 - Tony Mauro story (Selected by Stephanie Wilkins) 49:55 - Steno Launches Transcript Genius, Aiming to ‘Revolutionize How Attorneys Interact with Transcripts'; Also Announces $46M In New Financing (Selected by Stephanie Wilkins)

Today, less than 10% of Fortune 500 companies are considered to be tech companies. We are still at the beginning of the tech opportunity. You don't have to be a technologist to benefit from this rising tide. If you work in professional services and wondering which client niche to pick, the tech sector is a very good bet. There will be new companies being formed and bought, stock market IPOs and licensing deals to be made. As the tech sector grows, innovators and their investors will need to work with lawyers, bankers and accountants. They will chose those who understand the industry. If you want that to be you, listen to this episode and come to our free class for lawyers.  In this episode, you will learn from Daniel Glazer, Managing Partner of Wilson Sonsini's London office. Wilson Sonsini specialises in advising tech companies and venture capitalists, and has its origins in Silicon Valley. In this episode you will learn: The difference between a lawyer and a strategic advisor  What lawyers need to know about tech to advise tech clients What kind of help lawyers offer start-ups as they grow Differences between the US and UK legal systems FREE Class: Get Tech Clients! Introduction to Tech for Lawyers ---  To discuss a corporate training program for your organisation, book a consultation call here.  Happy clients include Blackstone x Techstars Launchpad, Oxford University and Constellation Brands.  ---    We love hearing from our readers and listeners. So if you have questions about the content or working with us, just get in touch on info@techfornontechies.co   Say hi to Sophia on Twitter and follow her on LinkedIn. Following us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will make you smarter. 

Eugene Daneshvar is a University of Michigan PhD graduate working on thin film neural implants but has since transitioned into the legal side of things having passed his bar exam and working with Wilson Sonsini as a patent attorney. This interview took almost 2 years to get done but we're glad we were able to do it!     Top 3 Takeaways: "I think the main thing I'll say is you don't undermine your valuation by not having an informed and intentional patent strategy, and you don't have to go cheap. You know, I feel that you have to bootstrap, but if you work with certain law firms that are very entrepreneurial friendly, and my firm is not the only one, but I think that is a general statement, which is, you know, work with somebody who understands your business model. But then, secondly, work with somebody who understands your technology as well." "I want my clients to understand that I'm building something valuable for them. Let's ensure all that value is captured in the application. If not, it risks not just their business, but also their motivations for it. They aim to translate this information and idea to help a certain subset of the patient population." "Some people cut corners without considering the broader strategy implications. I suggest working with individuals who are willing to learn about the process. We're all part of the same community, and if you're listening to this podcast, you're part of mine. I want the best for you, so don't hesitate to reach out."   0:45 Can you introduce yourself better than I just did?  5:15 Was it your idea from the beginning to do both a PhD and law school? 7:15 Why are patents important in the neurotech field? 11:30 What are some big mistakes you've seen in the neurotech entrepreneur field? 17:30 Is it better to have a strong lawyer or one that knows your field? 21:00 What is the process for a student wanting to spinoff a technology? 28:00 Have you seen deals go badly because of legal issues? 32:45 Is there anything that we didn't cover that you wanted to mention?  

Amy Caizza, a Partner at Wilson Sonsini, discusses new proposed rules by FinCEN that would see a significant expansion of AML / CFT obligations for Registered Investment Advisers, Venture Capital Advisers, and Private Fund Advisers. This could mean a significant addition to advisers' obligations when screening potential investors. Here is a link to the recent alert that the firm published on the proposed rule as well as a link to Amy's bio and contact information.Amy is leader of the firm's fintech and financial services group, which is recognized as a leading U.S. fintech practice by Chambers FinTech. 

Green startups are imagining solutions to the climate crisis and leading the transition to a sustainable economy. Yet sustainable entrepreneurship remains incredibly daunting given market challenges, long pathways to commercial viability, and an ill-suited investor landscape. In this episode, host Sarah Backer sits down with Jesse Lazarus, Associate Attorney with the Energy and Climate Solutions practice of Wilson Sonsini, to discuss the legal and policy solutions that could enable green startups to thrive to in turn help accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy.  Read the full Environmental Law Reporter article: Dismantling Roadblocks to a Sustainable Transition. ★ Support this podcast ★

(0:00) Intro.(0:55) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel.(1:41) Start of interview.(2:21) Richard's "origin story." His position as Chair of WSGR's public company practice and Chair of the Nasdaq Listing and Hearing Review Council.(7:30) On the origins and focus of WSGR's 2023 Silicon Valley 150 Corporate Governance Report.(12:00) What findings were most surprising or unexpected in this year's report? Discussion on ESG disclosures.(14:40)  On ESG backlash and regional differences. Importance of (institutional) investors.(15:36) On some SV150 companies leaving their CA HQs (both to other states and decentralizing with no HQ). Impact of diversity disclosure laws (SB-826 and AB-979) and taxation.(18:48) Incorporating in Delaware vs other states (prompted by Elon Musk's desire to re-incorporate from DE to TX). FYI 143/150 (95%) of the SV150 are incorporated in Delaware.(23:25)  On evolution of virtual meetings (board and stockholder meetings).(26:15)  On evolution of board committees structure and focus (ie. ESG/sustainability, Cybersecurity/privacy, Human Capital, Technology, AI).(32:13)  Impact of Nasdaq Board Diversity Rule. *5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the rule (October 2023). Gender diversity in SV150: 33% boards, 22% C-level execs, 5% CEOs.(36:09) On Dual and Multi-Class Share Structures in SV150 (~30% of SV150 have them. ~91% have sunset provisions).(39:40)  Shareholder Activism in SV150 (~8%) and impact of new SEC Universal Proxy Rules.(44:24) Looking ahead, what key governance issues should SV150 companies be preparing for in the next few years? Climate disclosure rules (EU, CA, SEC, investor requirements, etc) and AI.(47:00)  Increase in antitrust and other regulatory enforcement. "We are in a high enforcement regulatory environment."(49:24) Book that has greatly influenced his life: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran (1923)(49:50) His professional mentors (WSGR): Steve BochnerKatie MartinJose Macias(50:35)  Quotes that he thinks of often or lives her life by: "If you start right, it's easy to end right. But if you start wrong, it's very, very difficult to get on the right path and end right" by Joseph Smith. (51:10) An unusual habit or absurd thing that he loves.(51:58) The living person he most admires: his parents.Richard Blake is a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and the leader of the firm's public companies practice. He practices corporate and securities law with a focus on public company representation, corporate governance, and public offerings. You can follow Evan on social media at:Twitter: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__You can join as a Patron of the Boardroom Governance Podcast at:Patreon: patreon.com/BoardroomGovernancePod__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

In this episode we take a look at the key considerations for expanding your UK business to the US. What expansion options are available to you, which kind of businesses tend to succeed, and what are some of the common challenges UK businesses face?   Joining Declan for the conversation are Blick Rothenberg's US UK Private Client Director Michael Holland and our guest Brad Doline, Of Counsel at law firm Wilson Sonsini.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us on Movers, Shakers & Rainmakers, where hosts David Lat and Zach Sandberg sit down with Kannon Shanmugam, one of the nation's preeminent Supreme Court advocates. A partner at Paul, Weiss, Kannon serves as chair of the firm's Supreme Court and appellate practice, chair of the D.C. office, and co-chair of litigation. On the podcast, he discusses how his study of the classics was an ideal background for a lawyer, his distinctive style as a Supreme Court litigator, and his approaches to teaching advocacy and mentorship. Kannon also reflects on his time at Paul, Weiss, which he joined five years ago this month, and shares some of the strategies behind its remarkable success, as well as his career advice for law students and lawyers. In this week's Moves of the Week, David shares the news of Torridon Law, the law firm founded by former attorney general Bill Barr and former Facebook general counsel Ted Ullyot, hiring former White House lawyers Pat Cipollone, Pat Philbin, and Kate Todd, while Zach highlights McDermott's strategic addition of a healthcare team from Wilson Sonsini. Don't miss this episode for an in-depth look at legal excellence and leadership. Remember to rate, review, subscribe, and share Movers, Shakers & Rainmakers with your colleagues and friends!

Perella Weinberg activism banker Jillian Alsheimer and her husband, Sebastian, an activism partner at Wilson Sonsini, discuss marriage, white squires, M&A and prospects for Bernie Sanders as a labor-backed director nominee.

Ralph Tsong has primarily practiced assisted reproductive technology law since 2016 when he started Tsong Law Group. Ralph is licensed in California, Illinois, Washington and Arizona. Prior to practicing ART law, Ralph was a labor and employment lawyer with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (now the California Civil Rights Department) and California Department of Industrial Relations. Ralph also was an attorney at Legal Aid Society of Los Angeles, the Asian Law Alliance, Wilson Sonsini and Littler. Liens are popping up in many insurance plans that cover surrogacy. What are liens? Do intended parents have to pay them? Could liens spread to other states? Listen as Ralph discuss with Ellen and Jenn: • His path to becoming a lawyer with a multi-state practice. • Going through fertility treatment and adoption and seeing the difficulties firsthand. • Shifted his practice to ART law and adoption. • What liens are and why they are an increasing problem in surrogacy arrangements. • Why these liens should be found discriminatory and illegal. Want to share your story or ask a question? Call and leave us a message on our hotline: 303-997-1903. Learn more about Ralph's legal practice: https://www.tsonglaw.com/ Learn more about our podcast: https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/ Learn more about our surrogacy agencies: https://www.brightfuturesfamilies.com/ Get your IWTPABIY merch here! https://iwanttoputababyinyou.com/merch Learn more about Ellen's law firm: http://trachmanlawcenter.com/

Today's show: Wilson Sonsini partner Adam Shevell joins Jason to discuss gaining access to datasets (1:10), fair use in copyright cases (6:29), and more! * Time stamps: (00:00) Wilson Sonsini partner Adam Shevell joins Jason (1:10) Gaining access to datasets, avoiding copyright infringement, and why IP is protected (6:29) The concept of fair use and when it applies (11:26) What new founders should pay attention to (14:59) The Github case (17:42) Proper strategy for getting permission (22:56) How startups get crushed with legal bills (23:32) The Andy Warhol supreme court case * Check out Wilson Sonsini: ⁠https://www.wsgr.com * Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo: https://www.launch.co/four Apply for Funding: https://www.launch.co/apply Buy ANGEL: https://www.angelthebook.com Great recent interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow Jason: Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

Today's show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they discuss the contrast between late-stage and seed-stage investing(2:52), repricing stock options(5:48), the adoption of AI legal industry(23:29), and much more! * Time stamps: (00:00) Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason (1:19) The increase in tech layoffs and AI startups (2:52) Late-stage vs. early-stage investing and the seed-stage value chart (5:48) Repricing stock options when underwater (14:05) Disclosing revenue, burn rate, and growth rate (18:08) RIFs and knowing your employees (20:57) The long-term effects of remote work (23:29) The use of AI and chatbots in law * Check out Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.com * Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo: https://www.launch.co/four Apply for Funding: https://www.launch.co/apply Buy ANGEL: https://www.angelthebook.com Great recent interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow Jason: Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

Todays show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they break down legal standards in the startup ecosystem(2:19), SAFE agreements and convertible notes(5:41), conflicts faced by founders and investors(20:58), and much more! Time Stamps: (00:00) Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason (2:19) Breaking the box or sticking to widely accepted frameworks (3:47) General trends and the adoption of safe agreements (5:41) Differences between SAFE agreements and convertible notes (10:34) Companies that raised high valuations during a hot market and need to raise funds again (15:43) The impact of down rounds and pay-to-play provisions on investors, founders, and employees (20:58) Conflicts faced by founders, existing investors, and new investors (27:58) Surviving down markets * Check Out Wilson Sonsini: ⁠https://www.wsgr.com/en/⁠ * ⁠Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo⁠: ⁠https://www.launch.co/four⁠ ⁠Apply for Funding⁠: ⁠https://www.launch.co/apply⁠ ⁠Buy ANGEL⁠: ⁠https://www.angelthebook.com⁠ Great recent interviews: ⁠Steve Huffman⁠, ⁠Brian Chesky⁠, ⁠Aaron Levie⁠, ⁠Sophia Amoruso⁠, ⁠Reid Hoffman⁠, ⁠Frank Slootman⁠, ⁠Billy McFarland⁠, ⁠PrayingForExits⁠, ⁠Jenny Lefcourt⁠ Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: ⁠https://substack.com/@calacanis⁠ * Follow Jason: Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/jason⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jason⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis⁠ * Follow TWiST: Substack: ⁠https://twistartups.substack.com⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/TWiStartups⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin⁠ * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: ⁠https://www.founder.university/podcast

Today's show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason to kick off another series of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they break down secondary market transactions, including the evolution of secondaries (00:50), trends in the industry (3:16), critical aspects of Qualified Small Business (QSBS) stock(20:06), and much more! * Time stamps: (00:00) Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki Degraw joins Jason (00:50) The increased use of secondary markets (3:16) How companies staying private longer influenced the rise in secondaries (4:25) Determining how much founders should be allowed to sell (6:21) Spending more than a company is worth (9:26) The Pari-Passu concept explained and how it applies to early investors, founders, and employees (10:38) Who gets to sell pre-IPO (12:44) Off the cap table transactions and hypothetical scenarios (18:26) Tender offers and the NASDAQ secondary market (20:06) The critical aspects of qualified small business (QSBS) stock * Check Out Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.com/en/ * Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo: https://www.launch.co/four Apply for Funding: https://www.launch.co/apply Buy ANGEL: https://www.angelthebook.com Great recent interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis * Follow Jason: Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis * Follow TWiST: Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin * Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast

On the Energy Gang this week, Ed Crooks is joined by Dr. Melissa Lott, the Director of Research at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, and Amy Duffuor, who is a General Partner at Azolla Ventures, a climate-focused investment firm. In this week's episode, the gang start of by discussing the recent outcry over the possible impact of offshore wind development on whales. Although there is no evidence connecting the wind industry's activities to the rise in whale deaths, people are worried that there could be a link. It's an example of the broader issue in energy investment: there can often be tensions and conflicts between what we need to do to tackle the threat of climate change and the interests of local communities and eco-systems. The transition to a low-carbon energy system means building a huge amount of stuff, from wind farms to power lines to lithium mines to flood defenses. The industry is under intense scrutiny to show that it can develop the infrastructure we need in a responsible way. Also on this show: “electrify everything” has been a slogan in the clean energy movement for a long time. Now it is becoming a reality, and gathering momentum. Taking just a couple of recent examples: Poland is building new factories to produce heat pumps that will replace gas boilers for home heating; and the state of California has announced that it wants to move to zero emission vehicles not just for passenger cars and light trucks, but for heavy trucks as well, by the end of 2035. These shifts to use electricity for heating and transport and going to increase the load and strains on grids around the world. How can we make sure that electricity systems can keep up?Finally, Amy's firm Azolla is part of a new coalition called the Venture Climate Alliance, designed to accelerate progress towards net zero emissions. Why do we need yet another group in the financial sector working on climate and emissions? And what is the role of venture capital in the transition to a clean energy system?Subscribe to the show so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Twitter, we're @theenergygang The Energy Gang is brought to you by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati—the premier legal services provider to technology, life sciences, and clean energy enterprises. Wilson Sonsini has built a leading energy and climate solutions practice and its team is dedicated to a single goal: advancing what's next in the energy industry. For more information about Wilson Sonsini's energy and climate change team, visit wsgr.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's a special edition of the Energy Gang this week. New York University's 2040 Now event is an initiative focused on addressing the challenges posed by climate change, and this week the Energy Gang joined in. As part of the week of exercises, talks, exhibitions and discussions, regular Energy Gang member Amy Myers-Jaffe led a workshop on building energy transition scenarios, looking for ways to deepen our understanding of the present and strengthen our predictions about the future. The Energy Gang was there to record live in the Kimmel Center for University Life at NYU. Scenario analysis is particularly useful for analyzing the energy transition, because its trajectory is still uncertain, and a large number of variables can influence outcomes. Some of the most important of those variables are qualitative rather than quantitative, making them hard to analyze in a computer simulation such as an energy systems model. Thinking about a wide range of scenarios is a vital tool for testing assumptions and highlighting alternative possibilities. Amy and host Ed Crooks were joined by Energy Gang regular Robbie Orvis, Senior Director of Modelling and Analysis at the think-tank Energy Innovation, and by Erin Coughlan de Perez, Dignitas Associate Professor at Tufts University. With contributions from NYU professors, students and invited guests, they discussed the aspects of climate, policy, technology and finance that will shape our energy system and climate over the decades to come. And they ask the question: when we try to predict the future of energy, what are we missing?Subscribe to the show so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Twitter, we're @theenergygang The Energy Gang is brought to you by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati—the premier legal services provider to technology, life sciences, and clean energy enterprises. Wilson Sonsini has built a leading energy and climate solutions practice and its team is dedicated to a single goal: advancing what's next in the energy industry. For more information about Wilson Sonsini's energy and climate change team, visit wsgr.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Alternative sources of power are moving into the spotlight.As the share of dispatchable power in our electricity system declines, with coal-fired plants giving way to variable wind and solar, maintaining reliable supplies to keep the lights on becomes more complex. Investment in wind and solar is still vital for making progress towards net zero emissions, but other sources of low-carbon power are also moving into the spotlight. Those can include nuclear and hydrogen generation, as well as wave and tidal power, but there's another source of renewable energy that's been attracting a lot of attention recently: geothermal. Today geothermal accounts for just 0.5% of renewables-based capacity for electricity generation globally, but some think it could play a much bigger role in the future. In the past few years there has been growing interest in geothermal energy, driven by some exciting innovations. Quaise Energy, for example, is developing a millimeter wave drill that they say could enable them to deliver energy at $40 per MWh. Fervo is a startup working on horizontal drilling for geothermal, enabling them to reach more areas and lowering surface footprints. On the Energy Gang this week, Ed Crooks is joined by Dr. Melissa Lott, the Director of Research at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, and by Nneka Kibuule, who is a Principal at Aligned Climate Capital and co-founder of GreenTech Noir. They discuss the potential of geothermal as an energy source, and the important questions over its environmental impact. What are the trade-offs when we develop new sources of low-carbon energy that could help tackle climate change, but create local impacts on sensitive ecosystems?There's a $100 million plan to turn apartments in New York City into Virtual Power Plants, or VPPs. There are now hundreds of VPP projects across the US and Canada, with New York and California being the biggest states. But what exactly are they, and how do they work? In New York City, the plan is to control air-conditioning units in real-time to reduce electricity demand, relieving stress on the grid and helping to cut emissions. Nneka Kibuule explains how Aligned Climate Capital has invested in several businesses developing technologies for VPPs, making it possible to turn homes and businesses into a collective energy resource for utilities and the grid. Finally, the focus on ESG investing continues. When investors and companies look at ESG scores and ratings, are they getting too hung up on the numbers and not paying enough attention to all the other important factors that are more difficult to measure?Subscribe to the show so you don't miss an episode and follow us on Twitter, we're @theenergygang The Energy Gang is brought to you by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati—the premier legal services provider to technology, life sciences, and clean energy enterprises. Wilson Sonsini has built a leading energy and climate solutions practice and its team is dedicated to a single goal: advancing what's next in the energy industry.   For more information about Wilson Sonsini's energy and climate change team, visit wsgr.com See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.