Shannon Lieu

Shannon Lieu has seen what happens when startups don’t get the paperwork right from day one. As both a CPA (inactive) and attorney, she knows that the decisions made at formation ripple through every financing round and exit. “It’s very easy to get off on the wrong foot if you don’t talk to the right people from the start,” she says. “And that creates problems down the line that could have been avoided.”

As Assistant General Counsel at AI Fund, Shannon brings her experience guiding tech and life sciences startups from formation through exit, combining legal expertise with the financial fluency that comes from her accounting background.

Shannon’s path to law was unconventional. She started her career at Deloitte as an auditor working with public companies, where she learned how companies operate from the inside. “I wanted to be in more of an advisor role,” she says. That led her to Berkeley Law, where she focused on corporate work with tech companies and life sciences startups.

At Fenwick & West, Shannon spent three years advising startups on corporate governance, venture financings, and M&A transactions. She also dedicated significant time to pro bono work, including helping small businesses with formation.

Shannon’s dual background as a CPA (inactive) and attorney gives her a unique perspective on startup challenges. She understands both the financial mechanics and legal structure, allowing her to spot issues that others might miss and help founders avoid costly mistakes down the line.

Outside of work, Shannon is an avid boulderer with a strong community around fitness. She’s also a self-described foodie who loves exploring new restaurants in the Bay Area.

Shannon holds a J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law and a dual bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from UC Berkeley.