I’m Sarah O’Brien, Founder of O’Brien Venture Law.

I’m a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and a former BigLaw attorney. I began my career as a corporate associate in the Houston office of Sidley Austin LLP, advising large private and public companies on strategic M&A transactions, joint ventures, and financings.

While these deals were thrilling, I found my passion working with startups after helping skincare brand Youth to the People in its sale to L’Oreal. I then joined the Austin office of Shearman & Sterling LLP to pursue ECVC full time. There I worked on a number of deals on both the company and investor side, with a focus on corporate venture capital.

I soon found that early-stage companies are often underserved by the traditional law firm model — receiving either inefficient service or cost structures misaligned with their stage of growth.

I started O’Brien Venture Law to offer something different. Because when you’re building something meaningful, your legal partner should be aligned with your momentum, not slowing it down.

I partner directly with founders to build strong legal foundations from day one — providing sophisticated corporate counsel in a practical, responsive, and cost-conscious way.

When you work with O’Brien Venture Law, you can expect:

• Strategic guidance shaped by world-leading institutions

• Predictable, fixed fee pricing

• Fast, thoughtful turnaround

• Direct access and personalized support