Andrew Byrnes
Founder of Byrnes Impact
Andrew Byrnes
Founder of Byrnes Impact
San Francisco Bay Area
Overview
Work Experience
Founder and Principal
2024 - Current
Driving growth at the intersection of innovation, business and public policy. Services include: 🔍 Legal and Regulatory Assessment and Navigation: Assess the implications of laws and regulations on growth plans and operations. Identify governmental incentives, collaboration opportunities and business blockers. Enable leaders to make informed decisions and strategic choices amidst shifting policy and political landscapes. 🏛️ Policy Development and Advocacy Strategy: Develop policy positions and advocacy strategies to achieve a favorable legal and regulatory framework. Engage with policymakers, build coalitions and craft communications. 🏗️ Capacity Building and Crisis Support: Help companies build and scale their public affairs functions, teams, systems and processes. Serve as a government affairs advisor and communications strategist during high-risk periods.
Member (Presidential Appointee)
2024
President Biden appointee to the Public Interest Declassification Board, which advises the President and the Executive Branch on matters related to the classification and declassification of national security information. In recent years, among other initiatives, the Board has worked on the use of technology to expedite declassification review, as well as the declassification of certain documents relating to 9/11, the JFK assassination, and nuclear testing in the Pacific. Term ends January 10, 2027.
Founder & Lead Adventurer
2021
Supporting entrepreneurs supercharged by their performing arts experience through community and investment
Deputy General Counsel & Global Head of Public Affairs
2019 - 2024
Leading global public policy and government affairs, privacy, regulatory, intellectual property, and product legal functions, and providing full stack legal support, at global and digital carsharing marketplace which connects safe, convenient and affordable cars with people who need them to live and work. Led corporate PR and communications function through SPAC merger and NYSE listing.
Senior Legal Director
2018 - 2019
Principal general counsel for Uber’s global rideshare business and Uber Works staffing platform, providing legal and strategic guidance to business leadership about products and partnerships. Led team of product and commercial attorneys advising the product managers, engineers, deal makers, and operations specialists driving the core rideshare business. Served as lead counsel for global expansion of key features and initiatives.
Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer
2016 - 2018
Senior executive leading Legal and People functions at venture-backed telehealth marketplace and SaaS company helping children unlock their potential by democratizing access to life-changing health care. Responsible for legal matters, regulatory compliance (focus on health, education, and data privacy and security regulations), government relations and public policy, human resources, talent acquisition, and learning and development. Built Legal and People team from 4 siloed employees to a 12-person cross-functional team. Expanded business in key markets by overcoming regulatory barriers, including procuring revision of business-blocking regulations and spearheading increase in government funding for company’s services.
General Counsel, Chief Administrative Officer & Secretary
2015 - 2016
Senior executive leading legal and administrative functions at pioneering rideshare service designed specifically for busy families. Responsible for legal matters, regulatory compliance, government relations, public policy and internal operations, including human resources and facilities. Appointed by Board to serve as interim CEO during three-week transition between CEOs. Co-led (with CEO) shutdown of business following failure to secure additional funding.
Chief of Staff
2013 - 2015
Politically appointed member of the Senior Executive Service. Principal advisor to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which issues U.S. patents, registers U.S. trademarks, and provides global intellectual property (IP) and innovation leadership and education. On behalf of the Under Secretary, oversaw a staff of over 12,000, a $3+ billion annual budget, and agency operations and administrative support functions. Managed USPTO coordination with the White House, Department of Commerce, and other agencies on Administration initiatives, agency operations, and intellectual property and innovation policy. Developed and championed new initiatives, including the White House Executive Action to expand USPTO pro se and pro bono programs to empower under-resourced inventors. Helped manage risk through spearheading substantive responses to, as well as engagement and communication strategies around, high-profile matters.
Partner
2008 - 2013
Partner in global law firm, representing technology clients in intellectual property litigation and related matters, and campaigns and companies in political law compliance matters. Served as co-lead counsel in successful lawsuit against Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff Joe Arpaio concerning racial profiling during “immigration sweeps.”
Shareholder
1997 - 2008
Shareholder (from 2006) in global law firm, representing clients in computer software and hardware, semiconductor, telecommunications, and Internet technologies in intellectual property and complex commercial litigation. Managed litigation teams of up to 25 and budgets up to $20 million.