With Silicon Valley roots, Sapien Esq. is a boutique law firm specializing in commercial and technology transactions for venture-backed startups.
I represent startups of all sizes, from first-time founders to late-stage Unicorns. With substantial experience at two of the most preeminent venture law firms, I typically work as a tech and commercial complement to a Biglaw law firm (that still handles corporate & M&A).
I received my JD from Stanford and am admitted to practice in California.
I work closely with ops and legal teams to structure and negotiate commercial contracts, develop playbooks for customer agreements and corporate partnerships, and advise on IP and technology transactions. We optimize for closing deals fast.
I have worked with hundreds of companies in dozens of industries, with an emphasis on AI & enterprise and consumer SaaS.
I help founders draft their initial terms and customer agreements and privacy policy. I understand startups are inherently risky and every dollar is critical and so I optimize for practicality and simplicity.
I have counseled startups through sales to Google and Foursquare and so I know how to prepare forms that encourage sales but that do not jeopardize the company.
I help late-stage companies by serving as an outside deal desk and as product counsel for new product roll-outs. I work closely with the C-suite and internal legal teams, with an eye towards a near exit.
I have successfully negotiated deals across from Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft, Square, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase.
“After our Series B, we kicked off a complete overhaul of our customer and professional service contracts to improve our sales cycles and customer relations. We hired Rich for this because we needed an experienced IP and commercial attorney who had the flexibility in time and price to deep dive into our product, business model, and risks and then deliver quality work.”
Elliot Ginsburg, Head of Legal at Postscript
© SAPIEN ESQ. PC
117 N Acacia Ave
Solana Beach, CA 92075
rich@sapienesq.com
