At Vela Wood, Austin advises founders and early-stage companies on entity formations, venture financings, and securities matters. He also represents investors on fund/SPV formation and portfolio investments.
Austin began working at Vela Wood as a Legal Secretary, where he assisted with entity formations, venture financings, and general corporate governance matters. Austin continued to work at Vela Wood throughout law school as a law clerk, primarily assisting with venture financings and legal research.
Austin graduated from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in Denver, Colorado. While in law school, Austin served as President of the Venture Law Society and Managing Partner of the Pioneer Venture Group, the University of Denver’s student-run investment fund. Prior to law school, Austin graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, with a B.S. in Public Administration and a Minor in Legal Studies.
Fun Facts:
- Austin is an avid reader—he’s finished at least 75 books in each of the past three years and keeps a spreadsheet to avoid accidental re-reads.
- He once unintentionally participated in a 5K, which further confirmed he is not a runner.
- He is a fierce advocate for pilcrows (¶) and has a prepared elevator pitch—ask at your own risk.
Education:
- University of Denver Sturm College of Law, J.D.
- George Mason University, B.S. in Public Administration, Minor in Legal Studies