
David D. Gammell
David helps founders craft a vision for growth and develops the legal strategy to get there.
David is a partner in Gunderson Dettmer’s Boston office. For more than 25 years, he has worked closely with venture-backed company founders on their formations, financings, and exits, as well as on their technology transactions strategy, including licensing, technology transfers, and strategic alliances.
David began his career as an engineer, and he brings that knowledge and his curiosity about the inner workings of technology to all his matters. He builds long-term relationships with founders and their teams to provide practical advice that aligns with the company’s mission and short- and long-term business objectives. David is a licensed patent attorney and often helps start-ups nurture, protect and extend their innovations through strategic partnerships and other legal structures. He has taught at Harvard and MIT and is an active member of their start-up and innovation communities.
David brings Gunderson’s industry-leading experience representing high-growth tech driven companies in their operations, financings, IPOs and M&A transactions to every engagement, including the firm’s proprietary knowledge and tools. He also represents well-known venture capital and growth equity funds in their investments.
David’s representative matters include: counsel to a now publically traded Fintech company for the past 13 years and has represented one of the leading climate tech companies from inception through $2.2 billion dollars of private investment.
David enjoys snowboarding, watersports, mountain biking and almost anything outdoors or in an exotic location but most of all he enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.
David is a graduate of Boston College Law School and the University of Nebraska. Before law school, he was a nuclear engineer and an officer in the United States Navy.

Gunderson Dettmer 2024 Venture Capital Report
Gunderson Dettmer released its 2024 Venture Capital Report, analyzing data collected from thousands of venture financing transactions in which we have represented clients.
In addition to the data analysis, Corporate Partners Tim Ehrlich, Steve Franklin, David Gammell, Mike Irvine, Melissa Marks, Ryan Purcell, Aaron Rubin and Heidi Walas offer their insights and commentary, drawing from their extensive experience as trusted market advisors.