Kevin Vela is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, where he earned his BBA in Finance and J.D. with Honors.

Prior to law school, Kevin spent seven years in Dallas, working in finance and marketing. Although he began his career working for Fortune 500 companies, an entrepreneurial spirit led Kevin to pursue roles in several startup companies. Later, he started his own business, a test preparation company. Having scored in the top five percent on the GMAT, LSAT, and GRE, Kevin used his test taking expertise to help thousands of students increase their scores and gain admission to graduate school.

Kevin is active in the business and startup communities. Kevin is a mentor for RevTech Ventures, a leading venture fund and accelerator, and co-manages Blossom Street Ventures, a Dallas-based SAAS and software venture capital fund. He is also a part of the Dallas Business Journal Leadership Trust, a network of influential business leaders in Dallas, a board member of Digital Fight Club, and the Chairman of the Board of the Greenville Avenue Area Business Association (which puts on the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dallas).

Kevin is also active in promoting a responsible gaming agenda in Texas and is a board member of the Fantasy Sports Gaming Association.

Kevin has been selected as a Super Lawyer in 2021-2024, a Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2014-2018, a Top Latino Lawyer three times, a Best Lawyer in Dallas by D Magazine six times, including most recently in 2024, and is a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow, an honor granted to 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys.

Raised in Arlington, Kevin is an avid Dallas sports fan. Although he used to enjoy spending time at the local sporting arenas around town with his wife, Layla, they now spend most of their time pandering to their two children, Ariana and Arman.

Select Representations
  • General Counsel to numerous venture funds and accelerators
  • Has facilitated over 600 Seed stage through C rounds ranging from $250k to $20M
  • Represented defi SOLUTIONS in its $55M equity investment from Bain Capital Ventures and subsequent merger with Sagent Auto for an undisclosed sum
  • Represented Modern Message in its exit to RealPage for an undisclosed sum
  • Represented a California-based AI company in its $40M exit to a private equity firm
  • Represented Olivia AI in its exit to Nubank, Ltd, a publicly traded company
  • Represented a Dallas-based content platform in a $49M exit to a private equity firm
  • Represented a Dallas-based software company in a $12M exit
  • Represents dozens of DFS and Fantasy Sports Companies

Fun Facts:

  • If you need a favor from Kevin, ask him on a day when one of his favorite teams, the Detroit Tigers, Mavericks or Cowboys, win.
  • Can name every World Series Winner since 1970.
  • Kevin’s entrepreneurial spirit began early on when he owned a beer vending machine after college.
  • Was named “best cooker in the world” by Ariana Vela, then age 5.

Education:

  • University of Texas Law School, J.D., Honors
  • University of Texas at Austin, BBA, Finance

Kevin Vela's Recent Blog Posts
Sports & Gaming
The Future of DFS in California After the State Declares Paid Contests Illegal

On July 3, 2025, the California Attorney General issued an advisory opinion declaring all paid daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests illegal under California law. This ruling puts the future of DFS in California—one of the nation’s largest markets—in jeopardy and raises concerns about potential ripple effects in other states. While some states have issued similar negative opinions, their impact has varied, with courts or legislatures sometimes overturning or clarifying DFS legality.


Funding & Capital Raising
QSBS Expansion – What You Need to Know

Congress made major changes to QSBS, expanding who qualifies and how much gain can be excluded. The asset cap rose to $75 million, and investors can now exclude up to $15 million or 10× their basis—whichever is greater. Shorter holding periods also now qualify for partial tax breaks. These changes open the door for both investors and companies to benefit from this powerful tax incentive.


Funding & Capital Raising
Private Funds, Public Rules – What Fund Managers Need to Know

This blog breaks down what qualifies as an “investment company” under federal law and explains how private fund managers—like those running hedge funds or venture capital firms—can avoid burdensome public registration by meeting key legal exemptions.