In this week's episode of the NAWL Podcast, host Ashley Carlisle—NAWL member and Co-Chair of NAWL’s Startups Affinity Group—sits down with Liz Federowicz, General Counsel at Expa, for a compelling conversation about her multifaceted legal career. Liz shares her journey from the entertainment industry to big law, and ultimately to the fast-paced world of startups. Together, they explore the transition from traditional law firms to startup culture, the unique challenges of working in emerging tech, and how legal professionals are adapting to the rise of AI and other transformative technologies. Whether you're a seasoned attorney or just starting out, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of the legal profession.
In this week's episode of the NAWL Podcast, host Ashley Carlisle—NAWL member and Co-Chair of NAWL’s Startups Affinity Group—sits down with Liz Federowicz, General Counsel at Expa, for a compelling conversation about her multifaceted legal career. Liz shares her journey from the entertainment industry to big law, and ultimately to the fast-paced world of startups.
Together, they explore the transition from traditional law firms to startup culture, the unique challenges of working in emerging tech, and how legal professionals are adapting to the rise of AI and other transformative technologies.
Whether you're a seasoned attorney or just starting out, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of the legal profession.
Learn more about Liz and her work at Expa here!
$25 off a prenup at First with the code NAWL25
Bios:
Liz Federowicz serves as General Counsel at Expa, a venture capital firm and venture studio that builds and invests in early-stage technology companies. She oversees all legal aspects of fund investments, formation, operations, and newly incorporated startups within the venture studio. As the sole in-house legal counsel for an organization with over 100 portfolio companies and 5-10 studio-incubated companies, Liz provides comprehensive guidance across venture deals, legal strategy, and business affairs.
Her path to law was unconventional, beginning with independent films and co-founding a film production company in the early 2000s. Inspired by entertainment attorneys, she focused on intellectual property and business during law school, but ultimately transitioned to the tech sector after law school. Liz began her legal career in-house at a Los Angeles tech company before joining Fenwick & West, where she developed her expertise in Silicon Valley and Silicon Beach practices before stepping into her role as Expa's GC.
Colleagues recognize Liz for her innovative thinking, deal-making acumen, and hands-on approach with Expa's incubated companies, including legal tech company First, where she additionally serves on the founding team as Head of Legal Product.
Ashley Carlisle is a corporate attorney and entrepreneur focused on transforming the legal industry with technology. As a founding team member and CMO of HyperDraft, she helps real estate and financial institutions use AI and automation to streamline their legal documentation. A graduate of the University of Texas School of Law, Ashley practiced corporate law at two global firms before joining HyperDraft and is a frequent voice on AI and automation in industry publications and podcasts.