Jonathan P. Spencer

Jonathan advises emerging and growth companies from initial organization and formation through strategic growth, capital raising, and M&A transactions. He regularly partners with founders, management and boards in the role of outside general counsel, advising on strategic matters and negotiations.

Jonathan has significant experience advising life sciences companies in genomics, medical device, AI research and tools, as well as technology companies in AI, e-commerce, streaming, financial technology, cybersecurity, infrastructure, automotive and other advanced technology.

Jonathan’s company client practice encompasses a broad spectrum of complex legal transactions involving significant experience with respect to optimizing corporate and equity structures, capitalization, finance and borrowing, growth, technology acquisitions, strategic partnerships and collaborations. He has led his clients through negotiating and consummating numerous strategic and M&A transactions with major partners, including, among others, Abbott, Boston Scientific, Medtronic and C.R. Bard., as well as Walmart, Viacom, Maxwell, Illumina, Coinstar, Securus and Sunpower.

In addition to representing company clients in their strategic transactions and corporate matters, Jonathan also represents numerous prominent venture capital funds, venture studios and institutional investors with respect to their portfolio investments, including, among others, Foresite Capital and Foresite Labs, Tiger Global, Deerfield, Vensana Capital, Learn Capital, NewView Capital, Section 32 and Eido Studios.

Prior to joining Gunderson Dettmer, Jonathan was an attorney with the M&A practices of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and DLA Piper LLP in New York and San Diego.

Jonathan holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School as well as B.A.s in Economics and Comparative Literature from Brigham Young University.

Jonathan is a member of the State Bars of California and New York.