Gene Rhough

Gene Rhough

Startups · Contracts · Corporate · M&A · IP & SaaS

San Jose
California
Licensed in
CA, DC, Patent Bar, Privacy Certification
Harvard Law School

"Gene is fantastic; I am very excited to work with his level of expertise."

5.0 5
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines
out of 28 reviews
About
I help founders and business owners set up core contracts, deal documents, and ownership terms so they can form companies, close business sales, bring in partners, and launch products without expensive surprises later.

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.
15
Repeat
clients
67
Projects on
upcounsel
30
Years
experience
Less than 1 day
Response Time
Fortune 500 Badge
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Representative Clients

Practice Areas

Client Reviews

5.0
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines
out of 28 reviews
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

"Gene has been wonderful to work with, he is very thorough and thoughtful in the work that he provides. He also offered tons of insightful perspectives that I had not considered, and provided more value than just the scope of the project. I look forward to working with him more in the future!"

New Proposal
Posted on Apr 30, 2026
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

"I very much enjoy working with Gene and have absolute confidence in his representation. I feel secure knowing he is at my side while navigating complex legal matters."

IP Counsel for High-Density Systems Architecture and Sovereign Founder Transition
Posted on Apr 28, 2026
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

"As a startup founder building something new from the ground up, I knew I needed serious legal protection. Gene conducted an extraordinarily thorough review of all my project documentation, going well beyond a surface-level check. He reviewed my Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, HIPAA & Health Information Disclosure, Support Center, and in-app consent language and disclosures. He identified gaps I hadn't considered, explained the legal implications in plain language, and walked me through exactly what was needed to protect my work. Nothing was glossed over. What stood out most was Gene's ability to anticipate risk. He proactively flagged areas of exposure I hadn't thought to ask about, giving me a level of confidence I couldn't have received anywhere else. For any founder or entrepreneur trying to protect their work, I cannot recommend Gene Rhough highly enough."

Health App Legal Review
Posted on Apr 10, 2026
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

"Of the proposals received, Gene’s was the most thorough; it indicated he examined the documents submitted, understood the request and would be the best person to perform the work. He replied quickly, communicated clearly and gave ample time to discuss issues and answer questions. Was very impressed with the product he provided and will absolutely use him moving forward."

Operating Agreement Review
Posted on Apr 6, 2026
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

"Gene is fantastic; I am very excited to work with his level of expertise."

Draft Shareholder Agreement
Posted on Mar 31, 2026
Clear Communication
Response Time
Knowledgeable
Meets Deadlines

"Gene was communicative, thoughtful, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. I appreciated his timely response and quick engagement to help me with legal guidance and provide his expertise."

Consult on Employment Agreement
Posted on Mar 12, 2026

Work History

Legal Laboratories

Attorney

Mar 2016 - Present

.

Mar 2016 - Present

Sony

VP, Global Digital Business, Business & Legal Affairs

Apr 2014 - Mar 2016

.

Apr 2014 - Mar 2016

News Corp.

GC & SVP Business Development

Mar 2010 - Mar 2014

.

Mar 2010 - Mar 2014

Time Warner / Viacom

VP, Global Digital & New Media

Jan 2008 - Feb 2010

Test

Jan 2008 - Feb 2010

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