Brian Patterson

Brian Patterson, Global Vice Chair of the firm's Emerging Companies & Growth Practice, advises emerging companies through all stages of growth, as well as the venture capital and private equity funds that invest in them.

Brian combines more than two decades of experience and his passion for entrepreneurship to counsel clients — from solo founders to seasoned fund managers — on a full spectrum of emerging company and venture capital and private equity-related topics, including:

- Corporate formation and governance

- Deal structuring

- Equity and debt financing

- Public offerings

- M&A transactions, joint ventures, strategic, partnering, licensing, and commercial transactions

- Venture capital and investment fund formation

He serves as a trusted advisor to clients and unlocks the firm's robust global platform to connect founders and management teams with the resources they need to navigate complex engagements with boards and investors, cutting-edge product development, and go-to-market strategy.

A recognized leader both within and outside the firm, Brian serves on the board of the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology, where he has presented on startup and venture capital law and business. He teaches a regular module on investment fund-backed boards for Santa Clara University's Black Corporate Board Readiness program, which accelerates diverse representation in corporate governance through structured executive education, and regularly speaks on public board issues for the African American Directors Forum.