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David, Founding Partner at VLP Law Group: Advize Career Interview

A career in law offers exciting possibilities, as evidenced by a conversation with David, Founding Partner at VLP Law Group.

The path began with internships focusing on civil rights and a traditional firm experience before transitioning to in-house counsel at a startup.

Now, daily responsibilities involve advising companies on general business needs, financing, and mergers and acquisitions. A typical day is fast-paced and varied, blending detailed legal work with extensive client interaction.

The most rewarding aspect is shifting focus from direct legal work to team development and improving service, prioritizing client needs and creating work-life balance.

While maintaining this balance presents challenges, the constant exposure to cutting-edge technology in Silicon Valley and the ability to be ahead of the curve are highly motivating.

Advice for aspiring lawyers emphasizes early law firm experience and exploring entry-level roles like legal assistant or paralegal to gain valuable insight.

A unique perspective highlights the transformative power of affirmations in achieving career goals.

Success in this field often involves strong academics and a strategic approach to career planning, but the potential rewards, as exemplified by David's journey, are immense.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

David Goldenberg

Founding Partner

VLP Law Group

Stanford 1993

Law - JD - Stanford Law School

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Philosophy

Law

Entrepreneurship and Business Owner

None Applicable

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group

David's career path began with a college internship at the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, handling civil rights cases where "if you win, then you actually get the government will pay attorney's fees," followed by a traditional law firm summer job and then Morrison & Foerster. After five or six years, a move in-house to a startup and then co-founding a small law firm seventeen years ago marked a pivotal shift, resulting in their current position as a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group.

Career Path of a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group

Main Responsibilities of a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group

David, Founding Partner at VLP Law Group, primarily advises companies of varying sizes on "general business needs," focusing daily on this counsel. A significant portion of the work involves "financing and m&a," including assisting companies with securing funding – from seed rounds to Series B – and mergers and acquisitions, representing both acquiring and acquired firms.

Main Responsibilities of a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group

A Day in the Life of a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group

A startup lawyer's day is highly varied, beginning with "triage" of 300+ emails and then transitioning to enabling a small team, meticulously reviewing complex legal documents to ensure "everything is just right," and providing crucial client counseling through phone calls and video conferencing to help "make hard decisions." This blend of detailed legal work and client support highlights the demanding yet rewarding nature of the profession.

A Day in the Life of a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group

Favorite Parts Of Being A Founding Partner At VLP Law Group

David, Founding Partner at VLP Law Group, finds the most satisfying aspect of his current role is shifting from "working in the business" to "working on the business," focusing on team training and improving service quality, prioritizing client needs like cost and timely delivery—skills not always inherent in lawyers. This allows for a flexible schedule, enabling a better work-life balance compared to earlier stages of the career.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Founding Partner At VLP Law Group

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group

David's biggest challenge as a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group is maintaining work-life balance, as "your life tends to get put on hold in important ways," due to the demanding nature of client service where "the phone rings on a Friday night and it's important to the client." This often leads to missed personal events and highlights the grueling hours and constant need to prioritize client needs inherent in the legal profession.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group

Favorite Parts of Working in the Tech Law Industry as a Founding Partner

David, a founding partner at VLP Law Group, enjoys the constant exposure to "the next new thing" in Silicon Valley's tech industry, a career path driven by a childhood interest in technology. This allows David to be "three to five years ahead" of the curve, witnessing the evolution of technology firsthand from early-stage startups to market leaders.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Tech Law Industry as a Founding Partner

What a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group Wishes They Knew Before Entering Law

David, a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group, finds fulfillment in shifting from "working in the business" to "working on the business," focusing on team training and client priorities like cost and timely delivery—aspects many lawyers overlook. This approach allows for a flexible schedule, balancing career success with personal life, unlike the experience of a more junior attorney.

What a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group Wishes They Knew Before Entering Law

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Lawyers

David, Founding Partner at VLP Law Group, advises aspiring lawyers to gain law firm experience "preferably a big law firm early, uh, while you're still in college," before committing to law school, because the post-law school job market and lifestyle can make career changes difficult, leading many to unhappiness. This insight highlights the importance of thorough exploration before committing to a legal career.

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Lawyers

Significant Career Lesson From A Founding Partner At VLP Law Group

David, Founding Partner at VLP Law Group, identifies "legal assistant or paralegal" roles and administrative positions as entry-level options for undergraduates interested in law. These positions offer valuable exposure to the daily tasks of lawyers, allowing aspiring legal professionals to "understand what lawyers do day to day" and learn the field firsthand.

Significant Career Lesson From A Founding Partner At VLP Law Group

College Experiences That Helped a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group Succeed

David, Founding Partner at VLP Law Group, shared a unique and insightful answer, stating that the "practice of affirmations," specifically defining an ideal future state and repeating phrases like "I am," proved "transformational" in achieving career goals. This daily practice helped focus David's efforts on what was truly important, leading to significant success.

College Experiences That Helped a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group's Career

David, a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group, notes that success in the legal field is unfortunately "very, um, numbers and prestige oriented," emphasizing the importance of attending top undergraduate and law schools to gain access to top firms. High grades, strong recommendations, relevant extracurriculars, and a demonstrated purpose are key to achieving this, as are good LSAT scores.

How Identity Has Influenced a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group's Career
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