Silicon Valley Law for Startups, Entrepreneurs and VCs

Silicon Valley is the home to some of the world’s most creative entrepreneurs who are using technology to move forward existing commercial, financial, social and political structures. The Valley has developed a very specific ecosystem that involves entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and lawyers, each playing important roles. This course introduces students to that ecosystem with the goal of understanding the roles of each and a particular emphasis on the role of the lawyer representing entrepreneurs and investors. The course will identify goals and behaviors, both reasonable and alarming, of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. It will also explore characteristics of the most successful lawyers in Silicon Valley including how to understand the client’s goals and find practical and effective solutions to achieve them. In addition, students in the course will have the opportunity to practice lawyering skill sets in a simulated setting including client counseling, negotiation and collaboration.