CES 2026 Founders and Frontiers Reception

Samir R. Bakhru 合伙人

New York

Samir has advised on venture financings totaling over $10 billion for both early and late-stage companies, and he has provided guidance on M&A transactions exceeding $5 billion.  He has experience in advising founders on structuring their companies to maintain control and frequently counsels executive teams in maintaining and managing a successful board of directors.  Samir also works closely with boards to guide them through complex crisis management situations, helping to navigate and overcome challenges.  

Samir’s notable company-side representations include Betterment, Beacon Platform, K Health, Dataiku, Chime, Merama, Warby Parker (until IPO), Codecademy (until sold), Maisonette, Capchase, GlossGenius, Inspiren and ResearchGate, among many others.

In addition to his company-side representations, Samir has represented leading venture capital firms and other strategic investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners, Tribeca Venture Partners, Eight Roads Venture Capital, AE Industrial Partners, Charles River Ventures, Coatue Management, Krealo VC, Heavybit Industries, TPG Growth, Vista Equity Partners, Walden Venture Capital, Warburg Pincus, and Y Combinator Continuity Fund.

Before joining Orrick, Samir was an Associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in the General Corporate and M&A group.

John Bautista 合伙人

旧金山; Santa Monica; 硅谷

John focuses his practice on advising emerging companies and investors, and represents both public and private high-tech and life sciences companies in many areas, including corporate and securities law, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, public company representation and technology licensing.

The Recorder named John the “2019 Innovator of the Year” for his work as the chief lawyer on the Long-Term Stock Exchange, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission-approved exchange designed to change the paradigm of traditional stock markets by rewarding entrepreneurs and investors committed to long-term business strategies. Financial Times recognized John as one of the Top 10 Most Innovative Individuals of the Year in 2017, calling him “one of the most influential lawyers in the technology ecosystem of Silicon Valley.” He is ranked Band 1 by Chambers USA California, for Venture Capital and Chambers USA Nationwide, ranked him Band 2 for Startups & Emerging Companies.

John is a Board member and co-founder of the Long-Term Stock Exchange, which is creating a new stock exchange for public companies supporting long-term investors, as well as an advisor and co-founder of Clerky.com, a company automating legal work for early-stage companies. He is also recognized for his work with Y Combinator companies.

At Orrick, John serves as Lead Partner for Transactions and Lead Partner for Innovation & Technology.

Prior to joining Orrick, John was a founding attorney of Venture Law Group and served on the Executive Committee. John previously practiced at Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati. John also served as Mayor of the City of Cupertino, California and a council member from 1993-1997, where he helped build important public partnerships, including with Apple Computer, the Mid-Peninsula Open Space Preserve, and San Jose and California Water Companies.

Mike Heath 合伙人

Los Angeles; Santa Monica

Mike has spent over 15 years helping founders and boards navigate the full company lifecycle—from formation and fundraising to scaling, acquisitions, and IPOs. He also serves as outside general counsel, advising on the legal and strategic challenges that come with growth.

Mike is all about efficiency, assembling legal teams that scale with his clients—from an early-stage founder sketching an idea on a napkin to executives leading multibillion-dollar companies through major transactions. His approach is rooted in trust and candid advice, particularly when navigating the complex and uncertain situations that inevitably arise in high-growth companies.

Leveraging Orrick’s sector-focused approach and legal innovation tools, Mike advises startups and high-growth companies on financing rounds, IPOs, and M&A deals. He also works closely with top venture capital and growth equity funds, guiding them through investments.

Prior to joining Orrick, Mike was a partner and co-founder of Gunderson Dettmer’s Los Angeles office.

Recognized as a “Next Generation Partner” by The Legal 500, Mike’s clients praise him as “incredibly knowledgeable, responsive, and always helpful,” with one calling him their “favorite external counsel.” Super Lawyers also named him a Rising Star in 2022 and 2023.

Mike earned both his law degree and bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley, just a short walk from each other down Bancroft Avenue. A lifelong Cal Bears fan, he still holds out hope for a Rose Bowl appearance—ACC realignment and all.

Georgia C. Ravitz 合伙人

Washington, D.C.

Georgia also has extensive experience in assisting clients with product recalls, crisis management and government enforcement. Her practice in this sector includes assisting manufacturers, distributors, retailers and importers on all types of FDA regulated products including pharmaceuticals, medical devices and software, wearables, health and wellness products, cosmetics, cell and plant based foods, conventional foods, ag tech, compounded drugs, and dietary supplements.

Georgia’s deep experience and ability to provide practical guidance in FDA and FDA-adjacent regulatory matters allows her to work closely with innovative companies looking to minimize regulatory burdens and maximize U.S. marketing opportunities in the life science and health tech industry verticals. She also conducts regulatory due diligence for private equity and public company transactions involving life science, medtech and innovative companies.

Georgia is a frequent speaker at conferences and events who contributes regularly to leading trade and consumer media outlets.