We're thrilled that Anthony Gin joined the Upfront team this summer as our Head of Legal. Amidst reviewing deal docs, he shared a few thoughts on what a Head of Legal for a VC firm really does, the legal mistake startups often make, and his favorite #LongLA spots.

What's your role at Upfront?

As Head of Legal at Upfront, I’ll be leading legal affairs, which includes the execution process for investments and certain special projects related to portfolio company management.

Given your background both as an operator (as legal counsel at MedMen) and as an attorney in the private equity space, we know why we were excited to have you join the team. But what made you excited to join Upfront?

I was excited to join the Upfront team because of the firm’s geographic focus and the background of the team. As an LA native, I love this city and nearly half of Upfront’s funds are invested in the Southern California start-up ecosystem. Additionally, coming from MedMen, I was excited to work with a dynamic team with operating experience inside of high-growth companies.

What do you love about your job and role?

I love being on a team that’s investing in change and growth in the city. Part of my job as a lawyer is to read things that no one else wants to read, but the other part is being an advisor. It’s a rewarding experience to help the firm to grow and further its mission to support LA founders.

So, what's a practical piece of advice for founders and entrepreneurs as they think about legal operations?

Involve your lawyers early. Many teams tend to wait to discuss large initiatives with their attorneys until later in the process and find that they’ll need to restructure a business deal at significant cost. While legal operations are sometimes viewed as a gating item, a good legal advisor will help your company ideate and retain a competitive advantage by operating as close to the sun as possible without getting burned.

When you're not working, what's your favorite spot in LA?

I’m a huge fan of live music and one of my favorite parts about being in LA is the scene. There are a few showcases around the city like School Nights! at the Bardot and Monday Monday at the Hotel Café that I’ve taken visitors to.

On Saturday mornings, I'm always chasing after my dog at Silverlake Dog Park. Come say hi!