Explore how strategic leadership, global legal expertise, and a forward-thinking mindset help companies navigate expansion, talent acquisition, and innovation in today’s fast-moving markets.

In this episode of Sharkpreneur, Seth Greene interviews Dean Fealk, Northern California Co-Managing Partner at DLA Piper and WSJ Best-Selling Author, who has decades of experience guiding technology companies through global expansion, talent strategy, and market growth. A former international practitioner with work spanning East Asia and Northern California, Dean has advised top-tier clients like IBM, McDonald’s, and Pfizer, as well as contributing to civic organizations and three U.S. presidential campaigns. In this episode, he shares lessons on scaling businesses, leading diverse teams, and applying strategic legal and operational insight to real-world challenges.

Key Takeaways:

→ Strategies for helping companies expand into new markets with minimal friction.

→ Balancing global corporate standards with local flexibility for success.

→ The importance of hiring and empowering top talent in different regions.

→ Lessons from advising major multinational clients and navigating complex business environments.

→ Dean’s experience contributing to civic organizations and U.S. presidential campaigns.

Dean Fealk is the Northern California co-managing partner at global law firm DLA Piper and a recognized citizen statesperson tackling international issues at the intersection of business, politics, and security. With 25+ years advising multinational companies on over $40 billion in cross-border transactions, Dean brings unparalleled expertise on how geopolitics impacts business and economy. A Wall Street Journal bestselling author and Chief Influencer, his insights appear in Forbes, Fast Company, and The Atlantic. Dean serves on numerous international security organizations including the Halifax International Security Forum and co-founded Transatlantic West to strengthen Silicon Valley-Europe relations. His leadership in global diplomacy has earned him designations as a Fulbright Scholar, Eisenhower Fellow, and Council on Foreign Relations life member.

Connect With Dean:

Website: https://www.dlapiper.com/en-us

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dlapiper/

X: https://x.com/DLA_Piper

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DLAPiperGlobal/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dla-piper/