1. What triggered your desire to study an LLM, and why McGeorge School of Law?

I launched my career on the corporate team at DLA Piper in St. Petersburg, Russia. Getting in took grit; thriving there took even more. That team taught me how to think and deliver like a lawyer. From day one I handled cross-border matters, so an LLM wasn’t a luxury — it was the logical next step for an international corporate practice.

University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law was an easy choice: several colleagues and classmates from Europe had excellent experiences and strongly recommended it (they were right). I wanted practical training, close faculty access, and strong bar-prep support; McGeorge offered all three.

2. What led you to run your own practice instead of staying at a consulting firm?

After more than seven years in Big Law — starting as a summer associate and working my way up to running complex transactions on my own — I reached a crossroads: keep climbing the corporate ladder or create something that reflected my own values. I chose the latter.

I wanted the freedom to work directly with builders — founders, makers, and innovators — without draining their budgets. Running my own practice allows me to offer my Big Law expertise with startup-friendly pricing, transparent scopes, and flexible structures.

On a personal level, I craved the ability to travel, recharge, and actually have weekends with my family — luxuries that are rare in Big Law. Leaving was daunting, no question. But over time, I’ve grown into solo practice, and now I’m not just sustaining it — I’m shaping it into exactly what I want it to be. It’s a long road ahead, but it’s mine to walk, and I’m committed to building it step by step.

3. How did the LLM’s diversity shape your perspective and growth?

My classmates expanded my world — in and out of the classroom. I still remember sharing Iranian rice, Turkish tea breaks, and first-hand discussions about legal systems across Africa, South Asia, and Europe. We all aim for the same outcomes, but cultural context matters in negotiation and strategy. That awareness makes deals smoother. Plus, I now have a trusted global network when a project needs a local expert.

The U.S. venture market is wonderfully diverse. Many founders are first- or second-generation immigrants who value counsel who “gets” global perspective — moving countries, navigating different systems, seeing the world as open and interconnected. My LLM degree sharpened that understanding and made me a better partner to them.

4. Which course or professor had the most lasting impact — and why?

Two unforgettable anchors: Professional Responsibility with Professor John Sprankling and Business Associations with Professor Michael Malloy.

Professor Sprankling turned ethics into a high-stakes craft — engaging and exacting. His “Where’s the conflict?” still rings in my head when I scope multi-party matters or draft engagement letters.

Professor Malloy made corporate law feel kinetic; his sharp — and genuinely funny — hypotheticals are still my go-to for explaining cap tables, fiduciary duties, and board mechanics to clients. If I could, I’d retake both courses tomorrow.

5. Did graduating from a U.S. LLM program open more doors?

Definitely. The California Bar Exam was the goal; McGeorge provided the map, the mileage, and the mentors to get me there. For a foreign-trained lawyer, that path isn’t easy — an active license is essential and hard-won. The credential opened doors; the community keeps them open. Law school isn’t just about classes; it’s one of the most powerful ways to build a lasting, supportive professional network. 

Bio 

Kseniia Kochneva ’22 is a venture capital and corporate lawyer with a global perspective and a founder-first mindset. Raised in a small village in Western Siberia, she began her career in Big Law, where she built a strong foundation in high-stakes corporate work. Having traveled to more than 35 countries, she brings a broad, cross-cultural understanding to advising clients across diverse markets. Today, Kseniia runs an independent practice dedicated to helping startups and investors navigate growth with clarity and confidence. She advises on the full spectrum of early-stage corporate matters — structuring entities, building pragmatic governance frameworks, and keeping records investor-ready. She guides venture financings, from SAFEs and convertible notes to priced equity rounds, translating complex terms into plain language so clients can make informed decisions.