Gene Rhough
Startups · Contracts · Corporate · M&A · IP & SaaS
California
CA, DC, Patent Bar, Privacy Certification
"Honest and thorough feedback based on detailed research. Much appreciated!"
About
I focus on LLC and corporation formations and operating/shareholder agreements, business sales, founder and partner arrangements (including buyouts and separations), commercial contracts (NDAs, MSAs, privacy policies), and IP/SaaS ownership and licensing tied to those deals.
Clients describe me as “the antidote to Big Law inefficiency,” “a legal sniper,” and say I’ve “potentially saved hundreds of thousands” by catching gaps… read more other lawyers missed.
I do all my own work, explain options in plain English, and give clear scope and hour ranges before I start. Harvard Law (cum laude), MIT, former Wilson Sonsini attorney, and GC/VP Legal for media and tech companies and venture‑backed startups, with a 5.0 rating and repeat clients on this platform.
clients
upcounsel
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Practice Areas
Client Reviews
"Gene was really lovely to work with! He dug deep into the contract I was reviewing and fought for me to know what I was agreeing to."
"Gene is a highly competent and efficient attorney. He listened to and understood our needs well before getting started and was able to provide very well-researched, multifaceted legal guidance that has shaped the foundation of our newest startup. We also found him to be very fair and honest is his billing. We highly recommend Gene."
"Quick and quality work"
"Gene is fantastic. He makes a commitment to clients that he will charge X amount of billable hours on a job and then puts in the work required to satisfy the client. Unlike any other lawyer I've ever worked with, he charged me LESS money than he could have and didn't stop until the job was done. I will be using Gene again and again. I couldn't be more pleased with the experience."
"Gene is an amazing human being! I had the pleasure to work with him on a document that needed a deep understanding of a tricky investor relationship. With his guidance, I was confident I was making the best choice to address the issue."
"Gene performed a excellent job drafting terms for my company, great communication and fast delivery."
Work History
Legal Laboratories
Attorney
Mar 2016 - Present
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Sony
VP, Global Digital Business, Business & Legal Affairs
Apr 2014 - Mar 2016
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News Corp.
GC & SVP Business Development
Mar 2010 - Mar 2014
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Time Warner / Viacom
VP, Global Digital & New Media
Jan 2008 - Feb 2010
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