Press Release
Press Release
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Taina Rosa, Olivia Thomas
09.03.25
Further expanding its market-leading Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice, which is recognized as one of the six most active in VC financings globally, Pillsbury has welcomed Corporate lawyer Scott Perlov back as a partner in its San Francisco office. Perlov began his legal career as an associate with Pillsbury in Los Angeles.
“Support for the innovation community is a primary pillar of Pillsbury’s practice,” said Firm Chair David Dekker. “There is strong demand for counsel embedded in the Tech ecosystem who can ably navigate the business, legal and regulatory issues impacting high-growth companies and their investors. Scott’s experience in guiding companies through financings, strategic deals and key growth milestones makes him a natural fit for us and our clients.”
Perlov advises startups, emerging growth companies and investors, bringing extensive experience in early-stage financings, corporate structuring, securities and tax matters, and equity incentive arrangements. He has led hundreds of deals, including convertible notes, simple agreements for future equity (SAFEs), seed financings and preferred equity investments across Series A, B and C rounds. Perlov is also known for his expert command of venture financing structures, regularly advising on the negotiation and execution of financing transactions. He often guides clients through complex pre-exit scenarios and strategic growth milestones, as well.
“Scott ably combines strong legal skills with a commercial mindset—something that resonates deeply with our startup clients, especially in today’s dynamic venture market,” said Christina Pearson, the Global Co-Head of Pillsbury’s Corporate & Securities practice. “His arrival continues an ongoing global expansion of our ECVC capabilities, reflective of both our expansive tech-oriented client base and steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional service to founders and investors alike.”
“We are thrilled to welcome another outstanding partner in San Francisco, a premier market that continues to be a global hotbed for innovation,” said ECVC Practice Leader Steve Ryan. “Scott is relentlessly committed to the success of his clients, and his Bay Area arrival further enhances Pillsbury’s ability to support great founders there and around the globe.”
Perlov’s arrival is the latest in a series of strategic lateral additions expanding the firm’s Northern California presence, with a particular emphasis on support for growth companies and the investors who finance them. Since the start of 2025, the firm welcomed notable startup partners Glenn Luinenburg and Todd Rumberger from WilmerHale (Silicon Valley); venture capital fund formation partner Eunice Choi from Goodwin (San Francisco); intercontinental tech transactions partner Daphne Higgs from Morrison Foerster (Silicon Valley); AI and blockchain startup practitioner Kayvan Ghaffari serving as GC and VP of Business Affairs from a venture studio (San Francisco); and early-stage life sciences, biotechnology and digital health-focused Emerging Companies & Venture Capital partner Steven Green from Goodwin (Silicon Valley), in addition to Perlov. Pillsbury also brought on venture capital investment funds partner David Holland from Kirkland & Ellis in Washington, DC, tech transactions and fintech partner Adam Chernichaw from A&O Shearman in New York and London-based corporate tech partner Sarah Melaney from Withers earlier this year.
All told, the firm has now announced the recruitment of 45 lateral partners since January 2024.
“Rejoining Pillsbury, with its deep roots in the Tech ecosystem and impressive roster of standout legal practitioners, represents a true full-circle moment for me,” Perlov said. “I’m incredibly excited to work alongside this talented team again and seize this opportunity to help San Francisco’s founders and investors thrive.”
Ranked among the Top 6 most active law firms for venture capital financings in the world, Pillsbury’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital team counsels high-growth enterprises and venture capital investors domestically and abroad. Entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and emerging growth companies rely on Pillsbury for advice on everything from company formation to financings, corporate governance, technology transactions, acquisitions and public offerings.