Partner
Silicon Valley
James (Jim) Jensen is the head of Orrick’s fund formation practice. He advises venture capital funds, private equity sponsors, and emerging companies at every stage of growth. With two decades of experience spanning more than 500 fund and company transactions, he is known for bringing a practical, solutions-oriented approach to structuring, formation, financings, and exits.
Jim’s fund clients include established venture capital sponsors, first-time managers, accelerators and incubators, SPVs, and funds-of-funds. He counsels on all aspects of fund formation and operations, as well as institutional investments into funds, including limited partnership reviews and side letter negotiations.
On the company side, Jim guides founders and emerging companies from formation through IPO or M&A. He has advised clients across a wide range of industries—from AI, energy tech, fintech, digital media, biotech, mobile, and security to consumer-facing sectors like food distributors and restaurant services.
Jim also draws on deep regulatory experience under the Securities Act, Exchange Act, Advisers Act, and Investment Company Act, helping funds and companies navigate compliance, exemptions, and investor disclosure obligations.
In addition to his legal practice, Jim is a technology entrepreneur. He has founded and managed multiple e-commerce and internet businesses through exit and is currently developing a legal tech venture. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and universities and often serves as a judge at startup pitch events.
Jim’s career has spanned leadership roles both in-house and at leading firms. Before joining Orrick, he was a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and previously led the Bay Area fund services practice at Perkins Coie. Earlier, he served as general counsel of emerging markets at VantagePoint Capital Partners, where he managed hundreds of investment transactions for a $5 billion fund.
