John Pothier

I'm a business-focused legal leader who focuses on corporate, commercial, employment, compliance & data privacy law, and being a strategic business partner. I've worked in-house all of my career until now, where I've started Embedded Counsel, now rebranded as Millstone Law, with my partner, a former colleague, to deliver in-house focused legal services to startups (i.e., becoming their outsourced in-house legal team) and larger entities needing to augment their resources.

With over a decade of experience leading legal, security, and IT initiatives, I have progressively honed my expertise and leadership capabilities. My journey began, not just with foundational roles in legal compliance and contract management, but also as the founder of Legal Edimation, an edtech startup I launched while still in law school that secured pre-seed funding and production contract with Harvard Law School. Over the years, I have expanded my skill set to encompass corporate governance, strategic development, and implementation of complex initiatives for an Andreessen Horowitz-backed edtech company.

In addition to founding Legal Edimation, my career highlights include driving Series C and Series C Plus fundraises totaling ~$107M, which required not only legal acumen but also strategic financial planning and stakeholder management. I successfully implemented a global equity plan and oversaw the acquisition of UbiSim, demonstrating my ability to navigate intricate corporate transactions and drive business growth.

My approach to legal and business advice is rooted in a proactive and collaborative mindset. I prioritize understanding the unique needs and goals of the business to provide tailored legal frameworks that support growth and innovation while ensuring compliance with global regulations. By fostering strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, I aim to create a seamless integration of legal strategies with business objectives.