Spencer Gusick

Your startup’s go-to legal counsel for growth and protection in the U.S. and Europe

Licensed in: California

About

I've spent over 30 years working with technology companies at every stage—from true startups to IPOs and beyond. My focus is on helping founders, executives, engineers, and business teams navigate the legal side of building and scaling a business. I started my career at top law firms and have since held senior roles at Facebook, Microsoft, Airbnb, Pandora, TiVo, Zuora, Universal Studios, and dozens of startups. I've negotiated hundreds of licensing deals with Fortune 500 companies, built global compliance programs, and run complex, international IP programs. I founded Arlenbach Legal in 2018, to bring my experience to startups and scale-ups. I serve as outside general counsel to many of my clients in the AI/ML, SaaS, biotech, software, infrastructure, and hardware sectors. I work directly with founders and other executives on technology transactions, product counsel, IP strategy, commercial contracts, corporate governance, and international expansion. For companies in Europe, I can act as a bridge to Silicon Valley, helping to demystify our market. What I love about this work is providing early-stage companies with the same high-quality legal work that big companies get from big law firms, except much faster, and at a fraction of the price. If you're building something new and need a lawyer who wants to understand your technology and your business, let's talk!

Featured Clients

Services

Corporate Strategy
Raising capital and building a team are crucial for startups, shaping both growth and culture. I provide strategic legal guidance on entity formation, venture funding, market expansion in the US and Europe, and M&A, ensuring your business scales while protecting its financial and cultural integrity.
Contact
Intellectual Property
Innovation is the lifeblood of emerging growth. And since no two companies are the same, your IP strategy needs to prioritize the unique strengths and resources of your firm. We have decades of IP experience, from trademarks to trade secrets, from patent strategy to licensing strategy, from fundamental protections to complex, multi-jurisdictional regimes suitable for corporate behemoths.
Contact
Technology Transactions and Contracts
Effective contracts require legal expertise, industry insight, and strategic negotiation. I help craft clear, practical agreements—whether sales templates, patent licenses, contractor agreements, or NDAs—balancing protection with business efficiency. Knowing when to negotiate and when to stand firm ensures your contracts drive value and minimize risk.
Contact

Work

Principal, Legal Counsel
Arlenbach
Jan 2018 - Present
General Counsel
Hed Unit
Jan 2018 - Jan 2022
Product Counsel (one-year contract)
Airbnb
Jan 2017 - Jan 2018

Education

University of Michigan Law School
J.D. • 1993
University of Michigan
B.S., Psychology • 1989