The Recorder’s 2019 Women Leaders in Tech Law: Q&A with Fenwick’s Dawn Belt

Fenwick corporate partner Dawn Belt was named one of The Recorder’sWomen Leaders in Tech Law for 2019.

The Recorder noted that Belt, who has been named to the list two of the past three years, co-authors Fenwick’s Gender Diversity Survey, co-chairs the firm’s hiring committee and represented ResMed, a global leader in sleep apnea treatment and connected health solutions, in its joint venture​ with Alphabet company Verily Life Sciences.

Asked about advice she would give to women starting out in tech law, Belt told The Recorder, “Challenge yourself, and don’t let fear get in the way of trying new things. Also, don’t sell yourself short: Don’t assume that everyone knows more about tech than you do, is smarter than you are or has all the answers. If you’re curious and creative, and if you’re enthusiastic about the work, you have a good chance of doing well.”

She also told the publication that “it’s important for women who’ve succeeded in tech law to show up for women who are starting out—to let them know there’s a path to success and make it clear that you don’t have to be a unicorn of some kind to learn about how the tech world works.”

Belt shepherds emerging and high-growth companies through key moments in their lifecycle, assisting clients with startup formation, venture financings and evaluating exit opportunities and provides guidance on mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, SEC compliance and corporate governance.

Her full profile is available on The Recorder​ (subscription required).​​​​