David Grawemeyer Joins Wilson Sonsini’s General Counsel in Residence Program

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 22, 2025--

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, today announced that David Grawemeyer, a veteran general counsel and accomplished legal professional, has joined the firm’s General Counsel in Residence (GCIR) program.

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Grawemeyer brings more than 20 years of experience leading legal departments at public and private companies across fintech, asset management, financial services, and real estate. He is widely recognized for aligning legal strategy with business objectives, managing enterprise risk, and navigating complex corporate events, including mergers, financings, and regulatory changes.

“David has successfully led legal teams through periods of rapid growth, disruption, and transformation,” said Patrick Schultheis, a partner at Wilson Sonsini. “His ability to build and scale legal departments—paired with deep experience in strategic transactions and fast-paced, highly regulated environments such as fintech and financial services—makes him an exceptional asset. Through the GCIR program, clients will benefit from his pragmatic, forward-looking counsel that drives momentum and sharpens competitive edge.”

Most recently, Grawemeyer operated as a sole practitioner, providing outside general counsel and project-based legal services to fintech and financial services companies, advising on strategic transactions, compliance, and governance.

Previously, he served as chief legal officer at QRails, Inc., a cloud-based, API-driven issuer-processor behind the AnyDay earned wage access solution. There, he led global legal operations, spanning corporate governance, capital markets, commercial contracts, regulatory compliance (including anti-money laundering, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau matters, and data privacy), litigation, employment, and IP. He also negotiated strategic partnerships and structured revenue-driving commercial agreements, supporting QRails’ 2023 acquisition.

Before joining QRails, Grawemeyer was vice president of legal affairs at Arrow Electronics, a Fortune 200 technology company with over 19,000 employees. He led the commercial legal team, overseeing legal matters across North America, including M&A, joint ventures, supplier and distribution agreements, litigation, and IP strategy.

Earlier in his career, he served as general counsel and corporate secretary of Janus Capital Group, a publicly traded global asset manager with nearly $200 billion in assets under management. There, he led a legal, risk, and audit team, driving corporate strategy and overseeing a $6 billion merger, a strategic alliance with a major Japanese insurer, and key governance, reporting, litigation, and executive compensation initiatives.

His previous roles also include senior legal positions at Prologis, Capmark Capital, and Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, where he advised on global mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate finance, and regulatory matters. He began his legal career as a partner at Mayer Brown, advising public and private companies on complex corporate and securities transactions.

Grawemeyer earned his J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School and a B.A., cum laude, from Duke University.

“I’m honored to join Wilson Sonsini, a firm that’s long been at the forefront of the innovation economy,” said Grawemeyer. “The GCIR program offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with clients and attorneys on a wide range of legal and business issues—from strategic transactions and compliance to litigation and governance. My focus is on delivering pragmatic solutions that support sustainable growth and address the evolving needs of modern businesses.”

Launched in February 2025, Wilson Sonsini’s GCIR program provides clients with short-term access to seasoned former general counsel who have faced similar challenges. By tapping into their firsthand experience, clients can gain practical insights, avoid common pitfalls, and make more informed legal decisions. The program complements the firm’s Executive Advisory Program (EAP), which provides long-term, tailored support to companies at every stage of growth—from early-stage start-ups to multinational enterprises.

About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini’s services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has more than 1,000 attorneys and 17 offices in 16 technology, business, and regulatory markets across the United States, Asia, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com.

David Grawemeyer, General Counsel in Residence participant

Veteran Australia batter Usman Khawaja has announced he will retire from international cricket after the fifth Ashes test beginning Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

He didn't go quietly.

The Pakistan-born Khawaja, who was the first Muslim to play for Australia, used his retirement announcement Friday to criticize the “racial" stereotyping he experienced during his career.

It will be the 39-year-old Khawaja's 88th and final test — played at the ground where he began his first-class career. Khawaja scored his first Ashes century at the SCG with 171 against England in 2018.

It was also at that the SCG where he revived his career at age 35, scoring two centuries against England. That prompted one of the great late-career revivals, as Khawaja hit seven centuries in his next two years back in the side.

But Khawaja’s position had come under scrutiny and criticism this season after being unable to open in the first Ashes test in Perth due to back spasms and then missing the Brisbane test with the injury.

He was then initially left out in Adelaide until Steve Smith’s vertigo allowed Khawaja to return, before an 82 in the first innings there ensured he would stay in the side for the fourth test in Melbourne. Australia, with a 3-1 lead going into the fifth test, has retained the Ashes.

Khawaja said he felt he was treated “a little bit different, even to now,” because of his Pakistan and Muslim background.

"Different in the way I’ve been treated, different in how things have happened,” he said at a media conference in Sydney. “I had back spasms, it was something I couldn’t control. The way the media and the past players came out and attacked me . . . I copped it for about five days straight. Everyone was piling in.

“Once the racial stereotypes came in, of me being lazy, it was things I’ve dealt with my whole life. Pakistani, West Indian, colored players...we’re selfish, we only care about ourselves, we don’t care about the team, we don’t train hard enough."

Khawaja said he knew the end of his career was imminent.

“I guess moving into this series, I had an inkling this would be the last series," he said. "I’m glad I can go out on my own terms.”

Khawaja has scored 6,206 runs at an average of 43.49 in his 87 tests with 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries.

“Usman has made a huge contribution to Australian cricket both through his outstanding achievements as one of our most stylish and resilient batters . . . and off field, particularly through the Usman Khawaja Foundation,” Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said in a statement.

“Usman has been one of Australia’s most reliable opening batters and testament to his success was him being named ICC test cricketer of the year the same season that Australia won the World Test Championship (in 2023).”

Khawaja said his No. 1 emotion on announcing his retirement was “contentment.”

“I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have,” Khawaja said. "I hope I have inspired people along the way.”

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja with his wife Rachel and daughters Aisha and Ayla after announcing that he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja, centre, sits with teammates after announcing he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja warms up during a practice session ahead of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Travis Head, right, is congratulated by teammate Usman Khawaja after reaching 50 runs during play on day three of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

Australia's Usman Khawaja sign autograph to fans after they won the third Ashes cricket test match against England in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 (AP Photo/James Elsby)