Our Team (P) | Orrick Tech Studio

Zac Padgett

I co-lead the firm's Energy Tech Team and help technology companies navigate investments, acquisitions and exits. I focus on supporting companies and investors developing technologies for nascent industries like energy storage, alternative fuels, carbon capture, hydrogen, agtech and digital Read More

I co-lead the firm's Energy Tech Team and help technology companies navigate investments, acquisitions and exits. I focus on supporting companies and investors developing technologies for nascent industries like energy storage, alternative fuels, carbon capture, hydrogen, agtech and digital infrastructure. I'm passionate about developing innovative technology solutions and adopting AI tools to enhance legal services.

Clients I've worked with: Warburg Pincus | Casetext | Toyota | Photon Marine | Gap

Contact me Partner, Austin zpadgett@orrick.com +1 503 943 4869

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

I love helping founders realize their dreams. My favorite part of the job is working with a company from the early days to the exit and watching the team learn and grow along the way.
Tell us something we'd be surprised to know about you.

I'm left-handed.
What is your ideal weekend?

Ride bikes, catch up on house and yard projects, go out for dinner, play lawn games and board games with friends.
What's the best advice you've ever received?

Take time.
What's your mantra?

Short emails get read.

Livia Maria Pedroni

As a tech lawyer, I see my role as a catalyst for growth and prosperity by viewing businesses through the lens of technology. It's the ability to integrate tech perspectives that transforms any enterprise, making it part of the upcoming economic revolution. I advise early and late-stage companies Read More

As a tech lawyer, I see my role as a catalyst for growth and prosperity by viewing businesses through the lens of technology. It's the ability to integrate tech perspectives that transforms any enterprise, making it part of the upcoming economic revolution. I advise early and late-stage companies on investment rounds, secondaries, bridge financing, LBOs, buyouts, and other exit strategies, as well as mergers and corporate restructurings. Guiding high-growth tech companies and investors through intricate deals allows me to contribute to the dynamic landscape of innovation, where every legal challenge becomes an opportunity for advancement.

Clients I've worked with: HAT Technology & Innovation | Safety21 | CERBA Healthcare

Contact me Partner, Milan lpedroni@orrick.com +39 02 4541 3874

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

I find inspiration in the dynamic nature of the tech industry, at the cross way between innovation and disruption, where we address exciting legal challenges.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

If I weren’t a tech lawyer, I’d likely be involved in strategic business consulting.
Tell us something we'd be surprised to know about you.

An unexpected fact about me is that when I was younger I was very afraid to snorkel, while now I am learning to scuba dive.
What technology are you most excited to see develop?

I'm most excited to witness advancements in biotechnology that reshape the healthcare landscape. I’ve been representing Cerba HealthCare for several years, a European leading company in pathology, imaging and outpatient diagnostic.
What is your ideal weekend?

My ideal weekend involves a mix of outdoor activities and quality time with family and friends.
What's the best advice you've ever received?

The best advice I've received is to embrace change as an opportunity for growth.
What's your mantra?

My mantra is "Navigate complexity with clarity and maintain conviction."

Joseph Perkins

I help companies develop innovative and comprehensive legal strategies to achieve their goals of bringing to market disruptive and transformative technologies. From DAO and NFT creation, general corporate and fundraising strategies in the venture capital space, to navigating complex and changing Read More

I help companies develop innovative and comprehensive legal strategies to achieve their goals of bringing to market disruptive and transformative technologies. From DAO and NFT creation, general corporate and fundraising strategies in the venture capital space, to navigating complex and changing regulatory regimes, I serve as an advisor for companies in the blockchain and virtual currency ecosystem. I also lead Orrick's international Technology Companies practice connecting Silicon Valley with Japan, representing a number of technology companies and investors based in Japan, bringing his Silicon Valley experiences to assist founders and corporate venture capital funds.

Clients I've worked with: Compound Labs | Flashbots | Ondo Finance | Rakuten | ZeroEx

Contact me Partner, Silicon Valley jperkins@orrick.com +1 650 289 7188

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

Working with tech companies is inherently about people - the founders and team members that we work with so closely throughout the company's life cycle, the investors who support the companies with capital and counsel, and the customers who benefit from solutions that the companies are bringing to life. I love being part of the process of nurturing both the companies and the teams that support them, throughout the entire journey of each company.
Where do you find inspiration in life?

I find inspiration in so many different places - a sunset on a mountain vista, a baker who has perfected his craft, a new city to explore - full of history and culture, and people, both familiar and new, to go on adventures with. We live in an amazing world filled with people creating new and exciting things all the time. It would be difficult to not be inspired.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

If I weren't a tech lawyer, I'd have a number of options to consider. I might embark on becoming a teacher or maybe open a cookie shop. I might try traveling for a while to explore the world or even go back to my roots and pick up tour guiding again, escorting travelers to our beautiful national parks. I would also consider honing my non-legal writing skills and put prose and story to paper.
Tell us about a favorite book, work of art or piece of music.

"The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is one of my favorite books of all time - filled with adventure and wonder, yet accessible to readers of all types. There are hidden treasures of knowledge scattered throughout the book, along with a healthy portion of humor. I highly recommend that everyone pick it up and keep a copy in their home so they can read and re-read it over the years.

Yael Perl

I'm an experienced corporate lawyer focusing on strategic counseling to emerging startups and high-growth technology, life sciences and energy tech companies with an emphasis on venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, securities law compliance and corporate governance. I provide Read More

I'm an experienced corporate lawyer focusing on strategic counseling to emerging startups and high-growth technology, life sciences and energy tech companies with an emphasis on venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, securities law compliance and corporate governance. I provide practical and thoughtful advice to help solve complex business and legal issues, and assist in structuring, negotiating and closing business transactions quickly and effectively. My practice also includes advising venture capital firms and strategic corporate investors in their investments into technology, energy tech and life sciences companies. Dual qualified in California and Israel and bilingual (English/Hebrew).

Clients I've worked with: Global Thermostat | OpenGov | Alviere/Mezu | Waterplan | CapStack

Contact me Partner, Silicon Valley yperl@orrick.com +1 650 614 7414

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

I love working with optimistic, energetic and inspirational people and there's no better group of people to work with than entrepreneurs. Each founder I've ever worked with has wanted to make the world a better place in some way and has found the courage and determination to get started and create something.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

I'd be a vet. Animals, particularly dogs, are a passion of mine, which is why I have two dogs who are a source of endless joy.
Tell us something we'd be surprised to know about you.

I grew up in Israel, Kenya and the UK. To this day, I love moving into new houses or new locations. It always feels like an adventure and an opportunity to start fresh.
What's your mantra?

Don't take no for an answer :)

Christopher Perry

I am a Senior Associate in Orrick's Technology Companies Group advising on a wide variety of corporate law issues affecting early to late-stage technology companies and those who invest in them. Read More

I am a Senior Associate in Orrick's Technology Companies Group advising on a wide variety of corporate law issues affecting early to late-stage technology companies and those who invest in them.

Clients I've worked with: Coatue | Paypal | Salesforce Ventures | VNV, ManyPets

Contact me Senior Associate, London cperry@orrick.com +44 20 7862 4621

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspires you about working with tech companies?

The best part of working with tech companies is getting the chance to be a part of their journey. Whether that's getting a tour of their first office, meeting their first employee or celebrating unicorn status - every milestone is a special one.
What technology are you most excited to see develop?

SportsTech. The sports industry has been slow to take advantage of all the exciting opportunities and improvements that tech can provide. A new wave of SportsTech start-ups looks set to change that.
What is your ideal weekend?

Family, country walks, pub lunches and lots of sport.
What's your mantra?

"Just Keeping Swimming" - Dory.

Josh Pollick

I advise high-growth technology companies and venture capital firms in formations, governance, debt and equity financings and M&A transactions. I'm fortunate and grateful to work with some of the smartest and most driven founders and investors in the world. Read More

I advise high-growth technology companies and venture capital firms in formations, governance, debt and equity financings and M&A transactions. I'm fortunate and grateful to work with some of the smartest and most driven founders and investors in the world.

Contact me Partner, Santa Monica jpollick@orrick.com +1 310 633 2802

LinkedIn Full Bio

Tell us about a favorite client or project.

The most rewarding part of my job is relationships. I've been fortunate to develop relationships with some of the world's leading startup founders and venture capitalists. My support for Accrue Savings is particularly rewarding -- I've known the founder, Michael Hershfield, for more than 30 years, and it's incredibly gratifying to support a long-time friend in the startup journey.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

Professional (read: amateur) tennis player
What is your ideal weekend?

Spending time with my four kids (age 5 and under!)
What's your mantra?

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

Scott Porter

I provide timely, targeted advice to help companies navigate corporate formation and governance issues and sell equity in compliance with US federal and state regulations. Read More

I provide timely, targeted advice to help companies navigate corporate formation and governance issues and sell equity in compliance with US federal and state regulations.

Clients I've worked with: NFX | Stripe | StyleRow | Radiant Industries | Long Term Stock Exchange

Contact me Senior Corporate Counsel, San Francisco sporter@orrick.com +1 415 773 5443

LinkedIn Full Bio

Tell us about a favorite client or project.

I enjoyed working with Stripe to develop Stripe Atlas, a groundbreaking platform that allows Stripe to assist its customers to quickly form US companies. The project spanned from the initial concept to the concrete processes needed to make its innovative platform available to the public.
Tell us something we'd be surprised to know about you.

In addition to my work in the US, during my first year of practice, I negotiated legal agreements in Canada, England (for a project in Egypt), and Colombia.
What technology are you most excited to see develop?

Clean, sustainable energy.
What is your ideal weekend?

Skiing powder on Saturday followed by a bike or boat ride on Sunday.
Tell us about a favorite book, work of art or piece of music.

Pablo Picasso's massive, haunting Guernica oil painting which depicts the Nazi bombardment of the city at the behest of General Franco during the Spanish Civil War.
What's your mantra?

The world is too much with us.

George Pothoulakis

I advise start-up, emerging growth and public companies, as well as a number of leading venture capital firms, in all areas of general corporate/securities law and in a variety of different transactions (ex. venture financings, M&A and public offerings). My practice spans the entire corporate Read More

I advise start-up, emerging growth and public companies, as well as a number of leading venture capital firms, in all areas of general corporate/securities law and in a variety of different transactions (ex. venture financings, M&A and public offerings). My practice spans the entire corporate lifecycle, from inception to exit/liquidity, and includes the representation of companies from various industries (ex. biotech, pharma, digital health, consumer internet and software).

Clients I've worked with: Grow Care, (dba Grow Therapy) | PowerUs Inc. | RA Capital | Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund USA

Contact me Partner, Boston gpothoulakis@orrick.com +1 617 880 1821

LinkedIn Full Bio

What inspired you to become an emerging companies and venture capital lawyer?

I could not think of a better way to use my legal degree than helping entrepreneurs and investors bring cutting-edge ideas to life!
Where do you find inspiration in life?

Embracing the slower pace of life in Greece family helps me recharge the batteries and find inspiration in the ordinary and extraordinary alike.
If you weren't a tech lawyer, what would you do?

I'd give being a sea captain a try.
Tell us something we'd be surprised to know about you.

I still know my way around a violin and guitar, but much prefer listening to artists who can play either instrument (and, in particular, the electric violin)!