Jake Schwarz

A true full-service business law boutique, we pride ourselves on being chosen counsel to top-tier venture capital firms, disruptive start-ups, savvy entrepreneurs, and other market-leading companies.

With a strong acumen in cross-border matters, especially with respect to Europe, Japan and India, we provide the highest level of business law counseling while often serving as a bridge between our clients and the other parties involved in transactions.

Most of our clients have experience with "BigLaw" and have chosen Pacific Crest instead. If you are looking for lawyers wanting to be true partners that serve your needs instead of their own, let's talk.

Jake focuses on representing emerging growth companies and venture capital firms. He has a broad range of corporate expertise, including advising clients with respect to business formations, equity and debt financings, mergers & acquisitions, licensing and joint ventures, intellectual property protection, and employment law matters. He also has extensive experience with respect to venture fund formations. Much of his practice is devoted to European-US and Asia-US cross border matters.

His corporate clients include technology companies in industries such as software/SaaS, AI, biotechnology, material sciences, and environmental sciences, as well as businesses in more traditional industries such as manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, management consulting, educational services, and retail. His VC clients include leaders within the Silicon Valley, Boston, and Paris investment communities.

Prior to founding Pacific Crest, Jake was a partner at K&L Gates where he was responsible for founding and building out the firm's Silicon Valley corporate practice. Prior to K&L Gates, he was a shareholder at Thoits, Love, Hershberger and McLean in Palo Alto where as part of his business law practice he headed the firm's Trademark, Copyright and Trade Secrets group. Jake began his legal career with the San Francisco office of Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe.

Jake holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. magna cum laude from Claremont McKenna College. Originally from Daly City, he resides in San Francisco with his wife, daughter, and son. Jake has a dog named Taz and, in his spare time, he enjoys coaching youth sports and being outdoors.