• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Law School Toolbox®

All the tools you need for law school success

  • Tutoring
  • Courses
    • Start Law School Right
  • Job Help
  • Law School 101
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • About

7 Questions with David Raynor of Accelerate Legal, Inc.

June 6, 2015 By Jen Carl Leave a Comment

David Raynor

Today we’re excited to welcome David Raynor, founder and principal at Accelerate Legal, Inc., a San Francisco law firm that provides legal services to startups, entrepreneurs and emerging companies. 

Let’s get started!

1. What did you want to be when you were a kid?

I went from fireman to scientist to advertising executive to guerrilla leader. In college I decided I wanted to be an international lawyer.

2. What was your very first job?

Translating letters from orphans in Latin America to their charity sponsors in the US from Spanish into English.

3. What did you think you’d do when you started law school? How is what you do now the same/different?

I thought I would have really big companies as clients. At some point, I discovered I preferred helping small companies succeed, which is what I do now. But a lot is the same: I’m a deal lawyer, and I love advising business clients on their transactions.

4. In one or two sentences, what is your career about today?

I advise startups, entrepreneurs and emerging companies on investment, general business and M&A matters.

5. What’s a typical day like for you?

My main tasks are (i) advising clients by phone, email or in person on a variety of legal matters, and (ii) drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts.

6. What are you currently reading?

A Business Planning textbook. I am preparing to teach a law school class on startups and venture capital this fall for the first time.

7. What’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self or a person starting their career?

Follow a career that allows you to pursue your passions. That’s different from following a career in something that you “like.” Lots of people “like” things such as sports, fashion, entertainment, or technology. But a passion is something more meaningful or that affects you in different ways. I discovered that I really enjoyed seeing businesses succeed and go on to hire people and deliver products and services that positively impact their communities. The feeling I get from helping them get there is what keeps me going when I’m drafting a contract at 2 am.

Thanks, David!

— – —

David Raynor, founder and principal at Accelerate Legal, Inc., a San Francisco law firm that provides legal services to startups, entrepreneurs, and emerging companies. He advises companies in formation, venture capital and other investment transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and on their ongoing business legal needs as outside counsel.

Prior to founding Accelerate Legal, David was an associate in the Corporate & Securities practice at Baker & McKenzie LLP’s San Francisco and Palo Alto offices. His law degree is from the University of San Francisco School of Law, where he is an adjunct professor teaching a course on Startup Companies & Venture Capital Transactions.

David’s clients include a number of cloud infrastructure companies as well as providers of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and other cloud-based services. He advises his clients on the privacy and liability issues involved in such services. In addition, all of the computing and storage resources for Accelerate Legal are run using cloud services.

— – —

Want law school tips? Sign up for our free mailing list today.

And check out these other 7 Questions Posts:

  • 7 Questions with David Raynor of Accelerate Legal, Inc.
  • 7 Questions with Inder Comar of Comar Law
  • 7 Questions with Judi Cohen of Warrior One
  • 7 Questions with Kate McGuinness of Counselor Coaching
  • 7 Questions with Tyler Coulson
  • 7 Questions with Susan Naftulin of Rehab Financial Group

 

Looking for some help to do your best in law school? Find out about our law school tutoring options.


Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Podcast
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Us

If you find law school tough, you are not alone! The Law School Toolbox team is here to help you through it. Check out our helpful free content, podcasts, courses and one-on-one tutoring. Thanks for stopping by and drop us a line if you have any questions. We also invite you to join our weekly mailing list, for advice right to your inbox.

Recent Posts

Why You Should Consider Joining a Reading Group in Law School

Why You Should Consider Joining a Reading Group in Law School

Given how busy law school can get, you may be hesitant to add yet another thing to your plate, especially if it involves yet more reading. But if you … Read More about Why You Should Consider Joining a Reading Group in Law School

Podcast Microphone

Podcast Episode 382: Listen and Learn — Negligence: Proximate Cause

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we're discussing Proximate Cause – a subtopic of Negligence in Tort Law. In this episode we … Read More about Podcast Episode 382: Listen and Learn — Negligence: Proximate Cause

How to Take Advantage of Admitted Student Days

How to Take Advantage of Admitted Student Days

Spring is an exciting time for law school applicants. Admissions results have been trickling in over the winter and, by now you have probably heard … Read More about How to Take Advantage of Admitted Student Days

Podcast Microphone

Podcast Episode 381: Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World (w/Eve Rodsky)

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! Today, we have attorney and author Eve Rodsky back with us to discuss, amongst other things, her … Read More about Podcast Episode 381: Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World (w/Eve Rodsky)

3 Steps to Prepare for the MPRE

3 Steps to Prepare for the MPRE

I started law school thinking that the bar exam was a post-law school problem, only to find that one exam can be taken as soon as post 1L year — the … Read More about 3 Steps to Prepare for the MPRE

Want Better Law School Grades?

Sign Up for Our Exam Tips!

Footer

  • Podcast
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Tutoring
  • Courses
  • Job Help
  • About
  • Contact
  • Login
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Refunds

Copyright 2023 Law School Toolbox®™