Fenwick Hires Nonlawyer as Venture Fund Matchmaker

Fenwick & West has taken the unusual step of hiring a nonlawyer to help introduce startup clients to venture capital funds.

Darrell Kong will also help refine business plans for startups, the Recorder reports. The Mountain View, Calif., law firm hopes Kong will help it double its venture-backed clients by 2010.

Before joining Fenwick, Kong worked at DLA Piper. James Koshland, who oversees DLA Piper's emerging growth and venture capital group, told the legal publication he’s surprised other firms haven’t jumped on the bandwagon.

"I guess most [firms] have relied on their lawyer's relationships, and the lawyers are pretty protective of those relationships," he said.