Stephanie Brecher

Stephanie Brecher is the General Counsel at New Enterprise Associates (NEA), one of the largest venture capital firms in the United States. She has an extensive background in corporate law, particularly in venture capital and mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with over 20 years of experience in the field.

Education and Early Career

Brecher graduated from Princeton University with a degree from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. She furthered her education at the London School of Economics, earning a Master's degree in International Relations, and obtained her Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 1993. Her legal career began as a law clerk for a federal judge, after which she worked as an associate at Steptoe & Johnson LLP in Washington, D.C..145

Professional Experience

Before joining NEA in 2012, Brecher held several significant positions:

• Nortel Networks: As Senior Counsel for M&A, she managed numerous high-profile transactions, contributing to over $10 billion in deal value during her tenure.
• Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP: She served as a partner where she represented venture capital funds and emerging growth companies on various corporate matters.145

At NEA, Brecher is responsible for deal structuring, negotiation, and execution related to the firm's investment activities. She plays a critical role in managing fund operations, compliance, risk management, and portfolio management. Notably, she was involved in NEA's participation as one of the largest selling shareholders in Walmart's acquisition of Jet.com for $3.3 billion, which was a landmark deal at the time.134

Contributions and Insights

Brecher has been recognized for her contributions to the legal field and venture capital industry. She was featured in the GC Powerlist by The Legal 500 in 2019. Her insights on corporate law emphasize the importance of understanding both legal frameworks and business needs, which she has cultivated through her diverse experiences across different roles.125

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Brecher actively engages with law students and aspiring lawyers, sharing her experiences and advising them on navigating careers in corporate law and venture capital.6