Lyman Thai

Partner at Foley & Lardner | Lawyer for Startups and Venture Capital Investors | Forming, Funding and Advising Tech Companies

Lyman Thai is an experienced lawyer specializing in emerging companies and venture capital, based in San Francisco/Silicon Valley. He provides legal representation to startups at all stages of growth, from inception to exit.

With extensive experience in guiding companies, venture capitalists (VCs), and corporate venture capital funds (CVCs) through numerous venture financing transactions exceeding $4 billion, Lyman is adept at advising on various aspects of corporate governance, federal and state securities laws, stock and option management, intellectual property (IP) protection, employment matters, compensation structures, commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and other key strategic transactions. His expertise spans equity, debt, convertible note, and Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) investments.

Previously serving as the General Counsel at a Series B legal technology company, Lyman played a pivotal role in securing $65 million in venture capital across multiple funding rounds. He contributed significantly to the company's expansion from a team of 25 to 200 employees, handling negotiations for strategic deals and commercial agreements, as well as effectively mitigating business and legal risks across the organization.

Lyman Thai holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of Michigan Law School and an A.B. in Government and East Asian Studies from Harvard University. He has a diverse professional background, having worked at prestigious law firms like Foley & Lardner LLP and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in various capacities, including as a Partner, Of Counsel, and Associate. Additionally, he has held roles as the General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary at Atrium, as well as a Summer Associate and Research and Project Development Manager at Element Markets.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by Lyman Thai are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Foley & Lardner LLP. It is essential to note that past results in legal matters do not guarantee similar outcomes in the future.