Neil ODonnell

Neil ODonnell is a founding partner and managing partner at Legal Scale LLP in New York City. His practice focuses on private equity transactions, venture equity, investment management, and fund formation. Neil represents investors and emerging-growth companies in early-stage financings involving SAFEs, warrants, convertible debt, and other equity securities. He also advises clients on compliance and corporate governance, helping businesses and investment clients structure transactions and address legal requirements tied to growth and capital formation.

Neil earned his J.D. and M.B.A. from Cornell University and received both a B.S. and M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. His multidisciplinary education combines legal analysis, business strategy, finance, and technical problem-solving. Neil is also a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst and Chartered Financial Analyst, credentials that complement his work with investment funds, financial institutions, investors, and growth companies on sophisticated corporate and financing matters.

Before founding Legal Scale, Neil worked in the Restructuring Group and Equity Derivatives Group at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. He also spent several years raising and deploying debt and equity capital to acquire cell tower ground leases in South America. Earlier experience at Merrill Lynch, Jacobi Capital, and Synaptic Capital Management gave him additional insight into funds and financial institutions. This background allows him to approach legal matters with an understanding of both transaction structure and investment considerations.

Neil is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arizona, the District of Columbia, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Washington. He was included in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Corporate Law. Neil ODonnell combines legal, financial, and investment experience to advise clients on private equity, fund formation, early-stage financing, and corporate governance matters while supporting practical business and investment objectives.

Law Office Affiliations

• Managing Partner, Legal Scale LLP
• Member, New Jersey State Bar Association
• Member, Connecticut Bar Association
• Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
• Member, Arizona State Bar
• Member, Colorado Bar Association
• Member, Washington State Bar Association

Licensed State

• District of Columbia
• New Jersey
• New York
• Connecticut
• Arizona
• Colorado
• Massachusetts
• Washington

Education

• Cornell University
  JD & MBA
• Johns Hopkins University
  BS & MSE in Biomedical Engineering

Awards & Badges