Andrew's Bio

Andrew Byrnes is a seasoned advisor, attorney, investor and strategic leader dedicated to empowering innovators, creators and changemakers to achieve transformative success. 

With over 25 years of experience at the intersection of innovation, technology, business, law and public policy, Andrew is the Principal of Byrnes Impact, an advisory firm that partners with interdisciplinary visionaries using technology, the arts or both to shape a better future for people in communities worldwide. He also manages the Law Office of Andrew Byrnes through which he provides associated legal services.

Andrew’s professional journey spans significant roles in both the public and private sectors. He served as the principal general counsel for Uber's global rideshare business, navigating complex legal challenges across over 60 countries. He has also held senior leadership positions in legal and public affairs at high-growth, venture-backed, and publicly traded tech companies.

As Chief of Staff at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under President Barack Obama, Andrew oversaw a staff of over 12,000, a $3+ billion annual budget and coordinated the agency’s efforts with the White House and other agencies on intellectual property and innovation policy. Earlier, he was a partner at Covington & Burling LLP (an AmLaw 50 law firm), where he advised clients on intellectual property and political law matters. He also served as a presidential appointee to the Public Interest Declassification Board, which advises the President on national security information policy.

An internationally recognized leader, Andrew is a Fellow of the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program and has consulted for Stanford Seed, helping entrepreneurs across Africa, Indonesia and South Asia grow enterprises that transform lives. While at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, he led the first-ever U.S. intellectual property delegation to Ghana.

A passionate advocate for the performing arts, Andrew combines his love for supporting artists with his strategic expertise. As the founder and leader of Adventures in Syncopation, he champions entrepreneurs supercharged by their performing arts experience and deploys strategic investment to support early-stage technology ventures driven by performing artists. He has also co-produced theatrical productions on Broadway and London’s West End, and produced the award-winning U.S.-Japan documentary film The Power Of Two. 

Andrew earned his B.A. in political science with honors and distinction from Stanford University and graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. from Harvard Law School.