Derek Colla

What I do:
I act as a general outside counsel to frontier tech companies with the highest ambitions. I also work with venture capital firms that finance these businesses.

Why Cooley?
We’re a firm built around Silicon Valley and supporting high-growth companies. Working with startups isn’t just something we do – it’s the core of what everything we do is built around.

What my clients value:
I’m practical, experienced and responsive, with a track record of working with some of the most successful VC-backed companies in recent years. I treat every founder I work with the way I would a close friend – and how I’d hope to be treated in their role.

Great reads:
“Snow Crash” and “The Sovereign Individual”

I root for:
Mission-driven founders solving difficult problems.