About Kenneth

Kenn Guernsey works with public and private companies, investment banks and venture capital investors, serving as a trusted advisor and legal team leader for companies and professionals in a wide range of industries. Kenn has served as counsel to numerous companies that have pioneered new industries or business models or led their industries, including Genentech, eBay, Yelp, Medivation, Jawbone, Zynga, Gilead Sciences, Wired, Hambrecht & Quist, Peet's Coffee & Tea, LeapFrog, Metricom, Quokka Sports, Raychem and Atari. He has practiced with Cooley since 1978 – except for a five-year period during which he served as general counsel and venture capital COO with Hambrecht & Quist (now JP Morgan) – and served as Cooley's chief executive from 1990 to 1996.

Passions

Horse keeping and riding

DIY

Every board and management team can use a good consigliere. That’s where I try to add value.

View full bio

Experience

View more

Admissions and credentials

  • California

Rankings and accolades

Best Lawyers in America: Lawyer of the Year - Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law (2021)

Best Lawyers in America: Corporate Law, Securities/Capital Markets Law, Securities Regulation, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Venture Capital Law

Northern California Superlawyers

Daily Journal: Top 100 Lawyers in California

Memberships and affiliations

  • The Bar Association of San Francisco

This content is provided for general informational purposes only, and your access or use of the content does not create an attorney-client relationship between you or your organization and Cooley LLP, Cooley (UK) LLP, or any other affiliated practice or entity (collectively referred to as "Cooley"). By accessing this content, you agree that the information provided does not constitute legal or other professional advice. This content is not a substitute for obtaining legal advice from a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction, and you should not act or refrain from acting based on this content. This content may be changed without notice. It is not guaranteed to be complete, correct or up to date, and it may not reflect the most current legal developments. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Do not send any confidential information to Cooley, as we do not have any duty to keep any information you provide to us confidential. When advising companies, our attorney-client relationship is with the company, not with any individual. This content may have been generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence (Al) in accordance with our Al Principles, may be considered Attorney Advertising and is subject to our legal notices.