David Niebauer
San Francisco, CA, USA
I help fast growing companies as a business lawyer and fractional General Counsel
With over three decades of specialized experience in corporate finance and intellectual property, David Niebauer stands out as a guardian of innovation for technology firms, particularly within cleantech. His journey spans from launching startups to steering them through VC funding, IPOs, and complex M&A transactions, amassing transactions worth over $800 million. As General Counsel and a business development leader for trailblazing companies, Niebauer not only secures legal fortifications b…
Work
Serving as fractional General Counsel to Charm Industrial, Inc., a climate technology company pioneering permanent carbon dioxide removal at scale. Charm's proprietary process converts agricultural biomass residues into bio-oil via fast pyrolysis, which is then injected into EPA-regulated underground wells for millennia-scale sequestration — putting carbon back where it came from. Charm's customers include some of the world's most recognized organizations committed to carbon removal, including Stripe, Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, JPMorgan Chase, and many others. In this role, I provide senior legal counsel across all aspects of the company's operations, including: • Commercial contracts and enterprise offtake agreements for carbon removal credits • Regulatory compliance, including EPA and state permitting and environmental law • Corporate governance and entity management • Intellectual property protection and licensing • Employment and HR matters • Risk management and general legal strategy Working alongside Charm's leadership team to support the company's mission of scaling the fastest-growing carbon removal technology in the world.
https://charmindustrial.com/Serving as General Counsel to Charm Industrial, Inc., a climate technology company pioneering permanent carbon dioxide removal at scale. Charm's proprietary process converts agricultural biomass residues into bio-oil via fast pyrolysis, which is then injected into EPA-regulated underground wells for millennia-scale sequestration — putting carbon back where it came from.
Charm's customers include so…
Experience
Energy Transition Ventures
General Counsel
Jan 2021 - Present
This company invests in early-stage startups focusing on the energy transition through venture capital funding.
- Conducted due diligence and managed transactions for multiple investments in the energy sector.
- Provided strategic legal counsel for corporate governance and compliance matters.
- Oversaw financial and operational management for Energy Transition Fund.
- Enhanced investment advisory and administrative functions for fund management.
Brillouin Energy Corp.
Director of Business Development and General Counsel
Jan 2011 - Present
Brillouin Energy develops technology in the field of low-energy nuclear reactions, aiming for efficient thermal energy production.
- Raised over $10.7 million through equity investments and managed Series B financing.
- Negotiated international technology licensing agreements, enhancing global reach.
- Led the strategic alliances and license agreements as Director of Business Development.
- Developed company intellectual property strategy, working closely with engineers and patent counsel.
Law Offices of David Niebauer
Transactional Attorney
Jan 2000 - Present
Law Offices of David Niebauer provides legal services to technology and IP companies, focusing on corporate finance.
Smart Wires Inc.
General Counsel
Jan 2012 - Jan 2017
Smart Wires Inc. offers advanced grid technologies to improve the flexibility and reliability of electric utilities.
- Led negotiation of patent licenses with Georgia Tech, securing core technology for company growth.
- Managed equity investments totaling $84.2 million through multiple financing rounds.
- Advised Board on intellectual property strategy, expanding patent portfolio.
- Supported company growth from startup to a firm with over 50 employees and significant industry sales.
Climate Clean Inc.
General Counsel
Apr 2007 - May 2009
Climate Clean Inc. is involved in clean technology and environmental sustainability solutions.
CarbonFlow, Inc.
General Counsel
Jan 2006 - Mar 2011
CarbonFlow, Inc. accelerates carbon reduction projects by applying web technology to the carbon offsets market.
Graham & James LLP (now Squire Patton Boggs)
Partner
Mar 1993 - Feb 2000
This company is a prominent law firm specializing in venture capital, securities, and corporate finance.
- Headed San Francisco venture capital practice, negotiating over 50 private financings, raising $300 million.
- Served as lead counsel on M&A transactions valued in hundreds of millions of dollars.
- Provided SEC compliance advice for public companies and underwriters.
- Structured strategic M&A opportunities, providing legal counsel on major transactions.
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