Beyond the Law Firm: How JDs Build Careers in Global Business and Boardrooms, a Conversation with Joe Hurd

January 22, 2026 12:30-1:30pm

Join us for a conversation with Joe Hurd, JD (Harvard Law ’95), whose career shows how legal training can open doors far beyond traditional law practice. Joe began his career practicing corporate and securities law at Linklaters in London, qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. He then moved into the technology and startup world, joining the founding teams of Friendster and VideoEgg (now SAY Media), and later leading international business development at AOL and Facebook.

Joe has also served in public service, working in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Today, he sits on the boards of three UK-based multinational companies: Lloyd’s of London, Trustpilot Group plc, and Hays plc, and serves as an Operating Partner at SOSV, a $1.5 billion global venture capital fund. In addition, he is a Trustee of the Computer History Museum, a member of the Executive Committee of the Harvard College Fund, and Co-Chair of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Diversity Committee.

Come hear how a JD can be leveraged across law, technology, government, venture capital, and the boardroom, and how to think strategically about building a non-traditional legal career.

Moderated by Professor Evan Epstein, Executive Director, UC Center for Business Law; Adjunct Professor, UC Law San Francisco

Open to all UC Law SF students

333 Deb Colloquium and Sky Deck, 5th Floor Cotchett Law Center

333 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102 United States