Galen Mason Photo

Galen Mason

Partner
Co-Chair, Venture Best®
Chicago
River Point
444 West Lake Street
Suite 3200
Chicago, IL 60606

Overview

Galen represents companies, founders, management, and investors in entrepreneurial endeavors – many of which involve building enterprises that have never before been built. He works with clients across the country, involved in all manner of go-to-market strategies – B2B, B2C, marketplace, SaaS, manufacturing, and distribution – and across numerous industries.

Galen advises on topics that touch a company's cap table or an investor’s equity position and further serves as outside general counsel for his clients, discarding trivial issues and identifying and marshaling resources for the issues that really matter.  He carefully builds and manages a team of Michael Best subject matter experts who provide first-in-class, proactive, and efficient guidance, the delivery of which Galen adjusts with the growth of the business. This includes legal and business counsel from formation and early financings to growth stage employment, tax, intellectual property, and regulatory matters, later stage financings, commercial agreements, rapid and discreet dispute resolution, secondary transactions, and ultimately, an exit transaction. Galen fosters meaningful relationships with investors, board members, and fellow service providers across the country – accountants, bankers, advisors, and consultants – to help ensure that the professional expertise a business needs is fully aligned with the resources and objectives at hand.

Passionate and curious about entrepreneurial endeavors, Galen has deep roots in Midwest venture and technology markets. In addition to his nearly 20 years as an attorney, he also designed and co-founded a prominent early stage co-working space and he founded and oversees the Midwest arm of a very active venture index fund – participating in a Midwest Series A financing every few weeks alongside many of the most prominent investors in the country. Before joining Michael Best, Galen practiced law at a large international law firm.

Did you know...

Galen is the sixth great-grandson of Daniel Boone. His family suspects his love of restless spirits – aka entrepreneurs – is some reflection of the explorer mentality.  Galen enjoys spending time with friends and family and frequently develops life-long friendships with his clients. He is a true venture nerd – frequently comparing notes on new industries, management philosophies, and venture trends or other venture firms and start-ups much like most people track sports or politics. Born in San Francisco and raised in Kansas City, Galen lives in Chicago’s western suburbs with his family of 6 and 2 dogs, though he roots for the greatest baseball team around, the Kansas City Royals.

Education

back to top