Blake Ilstrup

Blake Ilstrup is a Partner and Leader of the Technology Companies Group at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP since September 2016, specializing in advising high-growth technology and life sciences companies. Currently, Blake serves on the Advisory Boards of Asha AI, Ad Fontes Media, and KITE, providing strategic guidance in various innovative sectors. Previously, Blake held roles including General Counsel and Executive Vice President at KPI Therapeutics, and General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Business Development at Kineta, where contributions to corporate strategy and financing were critical. Blake's legal expertise was further honed at Cooley LLP and Heller Ehrman's Venture Law Group, focusing on venture capital, M&A, and corporate partnerships. Blake holds an AB in International Relations from Stanford University and a JD from the University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco, complemented by leadership certifications from Leadership Tomorrow and altMBA.