Blake Ilstrup Email & Phone Number

Kirkland, Wa, Us

San Francisco, Ca, Us

I am honored to be leading Orrick's Technology Companies Group in the Pacific Northwest. My practice focuses on advising high-growth technology and life sciences companies and their founders, advisors and investors.I bring a unique and invaluable mix of in-house, entrepreneurial and law firm experience, having served as General Counsel and senior executive of a software company and two biotech companies (co-founding one of them), as well as outside corporate counsel in elite AmLaw Global 100 law firms.My experience spans multiple industries, including life sciences, software, hardware, mobile, digital media, manufacturing and retail. I have counseled high-growth companies in hundreds of venture capital and debt financings, M&A transactions, public offerings, as well as service as a trusted advisor to management teams and Boards on both strategic and day-to-day matters.I am proud to have worked with a variety of technology and life science companies, venture capital firms and investment banks, including A Place for Mom (acquired by Warburg Pincus), Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN), AppSheet (acquired by Google; Nasdaq: GOOGL), Baidu, Barclays, Cloudhopper (acquired by Twitter; NYSE: TWTR), Critical Insight, Deutsche Bank, fatfoogoo (sold to Digital River; Nasdaq: DRIV), Gerresheimer, GlassPoint, Ikaria, IronPort Systems (acquired by Cisco; Nasdaq: CSCO), Kineta (Nasdaq: KA), Oculus (Nasdaq: FB), Qpass (acquired by Amdocs; NYSE: DOX), Starbucks (Nasdaq: SBUX), Varian Medical (NYSE: VAR), Xcimer Energy, and Zipwhip (acquired by Twilio; NYSE: TWLO).Prior to my legal career, I served in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer, including two combat deployments to the Persian Gulf, where I was decorated for my performance during Operations Southern Watch and Desert Strike.

Redmond, Wa, Us

Denver, Co, Us

I'm proud to serve on the Advisory Board of the company behind the Media Bias Chart.

San Francisco, California, Us

I provide strategic counsel to this groundbreaking company that provides an ecosystem for agencies and brands to engage with emerging media, platforms and technologies through an app, marketplace and network.

Woodinville, Washington, Us

I provided leadership and counsel to this growing non-profit private school and model learning community in the Seattle area.

KPI Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing game changing therapies backed by an alliance of development partners working towards focused and efficient drug development. KPI is commercializing first-in-class therapeutics in autoimmune diseases through a streamlined process, aligning the interests of partners, investors and patients. As GC and EVP, I oversaw strategic, legal and business development matters. As one of KPI's founding executives, I played an integral role in designing its novel corporate structure, business model and financing strategies.

Seattle, Wa, Us

Responsible for strategic planning, financing, legal and business development matters for this fast-growing biopharmaceutical company. I played an integral role in designing Kineta’s novel corporate structure, business model and financing strategies. I also managed Kineta’s strategic transactions, including in- and out-licensing of drug assets, mergers and acquisitions, and investment rounds.Prior to joining Kineta, I was in private practice with Cooley LLP and Heller Ehrman's Venture Law Group (both Am Law Global 100 law firms). I have also served as Vice President and General Counsel of Qpass, a Seattle-based software company, ushering Qpass through its sale to Amdocs (NYSE: DOX) for $300+ million. Prior to my legal career, I served in the United States Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard the guided missile cruiser USS ARKANSAS (CGN 41), during which period I made two deployments to the Persian Gulf as Air Warfare Coordinator for the USS CARL VINSON battlegroup and was decorated for my performance during Operations Southern Watch and Desert Strike.Admitted to practice in CA and WA. Named "Rising Star" by Washington Law & Politics magazine nine times. Alumnus, Leadership Tomorrow - Class of 2007. Service on various for- and non-profit Boards, including Beep Mobile, Seattle Children's Theatre and The Attic Learning Community, where I serve as Board President. Named to Best Lawyers in America in Venture Capital.

Palo Alto, Ca, Us

My practice focused on venture capital and bank financings, M&A, corporate partnerships, commercial agreements, IP licensing, and public offerings. I worked with a wide variety of clients in the life sciences, software, hardware, mobile, web services and digital media industries. I have been recognized 8 times in the Washington Law & Politics survey as a "Rising Star" among lawyers in the State of Washington, and am listed in the Best Lawyers in America for Venture Capital law.I have worked with a variety of technology and life science companies, venture capital firms and investment banks, including A Place for Mom (acquired by Warburg Pincus), Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN), Billing Revolution, Clarian Power, Cloudhopper (acquired by Twitter), Crosstrees Medical, Deutsche Bank, fatfoogoo (sold to Digital River; Nasdaq: DRIV), Ground Truth, Hubspan, Ikaria, IronPort Systems (acquired by Cisco; Nasdaq: CSCO), Kineta, OVP Venture Partners, Qpass (acquired by Amdocs; NYSE: DOX), Rosa & Co., SeaPoint Ventures, Square Enix, Targeted Growth, TIBCO Software (Nasdaq: TIBX), U.S. Venture Partners, Xcyte Therapies, Zumobi, and Zipwhip.Prior to joining Cooley, I was a member of Heller Ehrman's Venture Law Group. I also served as Vice President and General Counsel of Qpass, a Seattle-based software company, ushering Qpass through its sale to Amdocs (NYSE: DOX). Prior to my legal career, I served in the United States Navy as a decorated Surface Warfare Officer aboard the guided missile cruiser USS ARKANSAS (CGN 41), during which period I made two deployments to the Persian Gulf.I am admitted to practice in Washington and California. I am also an alumnus of Leadership Tomorrow, a Seattle organization dedicated to developing effective community leaders, and the Board President of The Attic Learning Community.

Us

General corporate/securities counseling for 50+ technology companies and the entities that fund them. Significant experience in company- and investor-side financings, M&A, IP licensing, SOX compliance, IPOs, employee benefits/exec comp, bank financings, commercial agreements and corporate partnerships.

Functioned as the single point of contact for all legal matters for a global 300+ employee, digital content software/services business, including management of commercial contracts/licenses, mergers & acquisitions, human resources and employment matters, securities law compliance, management of IP portfolio and SOX compliance. Managed engagement and use of outside counsel. Spearheaded the successful sale of the company to Amdocs for $300+ million.

Us

General corporate and securities representation of numerous emerging growth technology companies and the investors that fund them. Significant experience in both company- and investor-side equity and debt financings, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property licensing, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, initial and secondary public offerings, employee benefits/executive compensation, bank financings, commercial agreements and corporate partnerships. Representative clients include: Qpass Inc. (digital media software), TIBCO (enterprise software; Nasdaq: TIBX), BridgePort Networks, Inc. (mobile VoIP solutions), US Venture Partners (VC fund), Wavelink Corporation (enterprise software), Dexterra, Inc. (mobile systems/software), Xcyte Therapies, Inc. (immunity therapies; Nasdaq: XCYT) and Celebrate Express, Inc. (celebratory products; Nasdaq: BDAY). Relocated from Silicon Valley office in June 2002. Admitted to practice in California and Washington.

Washington, Dc, Us

Fire Control Officer, USS ARKANSAS (CGN 41). February 1994 - August 1996. Managed the readiness of over $350 million in shipboard weapons technology aboard a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser. Led and trained 25 specialists. Specific accomplishments:• Ranked #1 in officer year group. Recommended for early promotion every review cycle.• Achieved 95% equipment readiness rate during a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf with a division at 70% of prescribed head count.Combat Information Center Officer, USS ARKANSAS (CGN 41). Aug. 1996 – Apr. 1997. Trained over 100 personnel in the operation of the ship’s command/control center. Led 54 operations specialists. Specific accomplishments:• Ranked #1 in officer year group. Recommended for early promotion every review cycle.• Awarded Navy Commendation Medal by battle group admiral for performance during Operations Desert Strike and Southern Watch. • Designated “Force Air Warfare Coordinator” for aircraft carrier battle group of 11 warships and over 90 aircraft.Also served as Tactical Action Officer, Tomahawk Watch Officer, Gunnery Watch Officer, Honors & Ceremonies Officer, Casualty Assistance Officer, and Command Fitness Coordinator.

Ab, International Relations

Jd, Law

Leadership Certification, Civic And Regional Leadership

Course Certificate, Organizational Leadership