David Goldenberg is a Founding Partner at VLP Law Group, a nationwide firm specializing in corporate and technology legal services for growth-focused businesses, investors, and family offices. With extensive experience in complex transactions, David advises clients on financing, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate structuring. He has a strong background in supporting SaaS and tech companies, from strategic partnerships to multimillion-dollar licensing deals, and has led mergers valued up to $1.9 billion. Before VLP, David served as General Counsel for Mediabolic, a Silicon Valley software firm, where he managed high-profile licensing transactions with companies like Intel and HP and ultimately guided the firm through its acquisition by Macrovision.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [1:41] How early experiences with Junior Achievement sparked David Goldenberg’s interest in business
- [3:25] Why growing up with a serial entrepreneur father influenced David’s entrepreneurial approach
- [14:54] Transitioning from law school to a big firm
- [18:00] The appeal of investing in startups during the early tech boom and why diversification was key
- [21:25] The founding story of VLP Law Group
- [23:53] Why David and his partner chose a virtual firm model and how it benefits both clients and attorneys
- [26:22] How VLP Law Group tackled the stigma around remote work before it became mainstream
- [30:59] What it was like to rapidly scale VLP Law Group and navigate leadership challenges
- [33:41] The importance of a sustainable work-life balance in law and how VLP Law Group maintains it for attorneys
- [39:11] The ways AI and technology are reshaping the startup ecosystem and how law firms can adapt to these changes
In this episode…
The legal industry is sometimes considered rigid, traditional, and unyielding to change. But what if a law firm could be built to value flexibility, efficiency, and remote work without sacrificing quality? What would it take to reimagine a law firm from the ground up?
According to David Goldenberg, a visionary leader in corporate and startup law, it requires a willingness to challenge norms and embrace technology. He highlights the importance of shedding costly traditional office space and adopting a remote-first model to prioritize the needs of both attorneys and clients. By focusing on a work-life balance and leveraging digital tools, David has created a sustainable and resilient firm model that has thrived even during economic downturns. This approach not only reduces overhead but also appeals to tech-savvy startups looking for an accessible and approachable legal partner.
In this episode, John Corcoran sits down with David Goldenberg, Founding Partner at VLP Law Group, to discuss building a modern, flexible law firm in a competitive industry. They explore how a remote-first model attracts innovative clients, the value of a work-life balance for retention, and ways to grow sustainably in uncertain markets. David also shares insights into adapting to technological advancements and clients’ evolving needs.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- EO San Francisco
- EO Accelerator
- Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
- John Corcoran on LinkedIn
- Rise25
- David Goldenberg on LinkedIn
- VLP Law Group
Special Mentions
- Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide
- Amherst College
- George Roberts on LinkedIn
- KKR
- Morrison & Foerster
- Mediabolic on LinkedIn
- Macrovision
- Peter Thiel on LinkedIn
- Keith Rabois on LinkedIn
- Wilson Sonsini
- Venture Law Group
Quotable Moments
- “Junior Achievement helped kids learn about running a business effectively, from gross margin to sales and marketing basics.”
- “My dad looked for unmet needs and things he could build and sell. He was a salesman at heart.”
- “It felt like the middle of a nuclear bomb hit, and I slept through it. I woke up, went outside, and there’s no one there.”
- “We had a lot of attorneys practicing 2-3 hours a week and others full-time. That didn’t mesh well.”
- “Everything cycles. We had a historic bull cycle in tech from ’08 to ’21, just constant growth.”
Action Steps
- Embrace entrepreneurial learning opportunities: Engaging with organizations similar to Junior Achievement can provide foundational knowledge in business management and leadership. Such experiences can develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, essential for effective leadership.
- Adapt to change with flexibility: Being open to pivoting can lead to better alignment with personal and professional goals. Flexibility allows leaders to navigate unexpected challenges and seize new opportunities effectively.
- Leverage technology for remote work: Transitioning to remote work can enhance productivity and work-life balance. Utilizing digital tools for communication and document management can streamline workflows and improve team collaboration.
- Mentor and learn from others: Building a network of mentors and advisors is invaluable for leadership growth. Learning from experienced individuals provides diverse perspectives and insights that can inform better decision-making.
- Recognize market cycles and innovate accordingly: Understanding that markets are cyclical allows leaders to anticipate changes and innovate to stay competitive. Keeping abreast of industry trends, like AI, helps leaders position themselves and their organizations for future growth.
Sponsor for this episode…
EO San Francisco
This episode is brought to you by EO San Francisco.
The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 14,000+ influential business owners with 198 chapters in 61 countries.
If you are the founder, co-founder, owner, or controlling shareholder of a company generating over $1 million a year in revenues, and want to connect with other like-minded successful entrepreneurs, EO is for you.
The EO San Francisco chapter enables leading entrepreneurs in the Bay area to learn, grow, and achieve greater success.
The EOSF chapter was founded in 1991, and today we have over 100 members in industries ranging from marketing to agriculture to tech and professional services.
To learn how it works, or to come do a test drive come join us at www.eonetwork.org/sanfrancisco/.
This episode is also brought to you by my company, Pacific Crest Group.
Pacific Crest Group provides outsourced CFO, Controller, and bookkeeping services. You can learn more about us at https://www.pcg-services.com/
Rise25
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Podcast production has a lot of moving parts and is a big commitment on our end; we only want to work with people who are committed to their business and to cultivating amazing relationships.
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Rise25 Co-founders, Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran, have been podcasting and advising about podcasting since 2008.