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Scott James
COO & General Counsel at Goodwater
Scott James is a Partner and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Goodwater Capital, a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley.1 Here's an overview of his professional background and experience:
Career at Goodwater Capital
Scott James joined Goodwater Capital in May 2022 as General Counsel and was promoted to Partner and COO in September 2023.3 Goodwater Capital is a venture capital firm with $3.3 billion in assets under management, focusing on helping entrepreneurs build companies that transform lives around the world.4
Previous Experience
Before joining Goodwater, Scott held several notable positions:
- General Counsel at DCVC (Data Collective) from August 2018 to May 20223
- Associate General Counsel at Accel Partners from February 2016 to August 20183
- Associate at Gunderson Dettmer from October 2013 to January 20163
Legal and Academic Roles
Scott has maintained active involvement in legal and academic circles:
- Adjunct Professor at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law since July 20203
- Advisory Board Co-Chair at UC Hastings Center for Business Law since October 20183
- Former Executive Fellow at the Berkeley Center for Law and Business from 2018 to 20223
- Former Adjunct Professor at the University of California, Berkeley - School of Law from June 2019 to July 20203
Education
Scott James has a strong educational background in law and economics:
- Juris Doctor (J.D.), magna cum laude, from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law3
- B.S. in Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis13
- Additional studies in European Union Law at Leiden University and International Studies at Griffith University3
In his current role at Goodwater Capital, Scott is responsible for legal matters, firm investments, portfolio company exits, fund operations, and regulatory compliance.2 His diverse experience in venture capital, law, and academia has positioned him as a key figure in the intersection of technology, business, and law in Silicon Valley.
Highlights
I'm thrilled to welcome Donnie Clay to Goodwater as our new Head of Legal! Having known Donnie for many years, it’s a dream come true to work with him again. He embodies all the qualities that make Goodwater’s culture so special, and we're psyched to see the huge impact he'll have across the organization. Let's goooo! 🚀
Christmas came early! It's been a treat working alongside Russ Laraway and inspiring to see the impact he's already having at Goodwater Capital and with our portfolio companies. He has given the business world a gift by distilling decades of leadership wisdom into his new book. Go check it out: When They Win, You Win: Being a Great Manager Is Simpler Than You Think: https://lnkd.in/g4Tdt9Cd
