Working with Steve Wu: Building Professional and Personal Trust

Building meaningful relationships in the business world takes effort, time, and trust.

In Silicon Valley, it is easy to network and meet people in the tech sector, but it is challenging to find the right teammate. That is where trust makes a difference. Trust is the foundation of the business relationship Starrett Consulting has with the Silicon Valley Law Group (SVLG).

Strong Synergies

Starrett Consulting is a Silicon Valley-based consulting firm specializing in electronic evidence and the use of data-science tools for the legal community. Paul Starrett, CEO, specializes in high-profile investigations, cyber risk, and compliance consulting.

Stephen Wu, a shareholder with SVLG, advises clients concerning cutting-edge information technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), automated vehicles, robotics, mobile computing, cloud computing, Big Data, human-computer interfaces, and the Internet of Things. Wu is also the practice leader for SVLG’s AI and Robotics service group.

Starrett and Wu cultivated their professional relationship over time, including writing a book together. At the start of 2012, Starrett was serving as General Counsel for an international data management company that was growing fast. The company needed a steady hand to ensure it was complying with new regulations and legislation as it grew and not leaving itself open to risk with incomplete agreements and contracts. Luckily, Starrett knew exactly who to bring into the fold, Steve Wu.

Starrett collaborated with Wu and SVLG for three years. Starrett said he joined forces with Wu because of his cutting-edge expertise in computer forensics and AI.

“I can count on one hand the number of people I trust as much as Steve Wu,” Starrett said. “On top of that, his credentials are unsurpassed.”

A Harvard Law graduate, Wu served as the 2010-2011 chair of the American Bar Association Science and Technology Law Section.

“Wu’s at the forefront of technology, information security law, and risk management,” Starrett added. “He’s the perfect corporate attorney to help me build out policies for the company to resolve internal issues.”

Solving Business Challenges

Starrett and Wu met face-to-face once a week in Silicon Valley to discuss the challenges of the fast-growing international data management company. Wu was responsible for writing, updating and rolling out many policies for the international data managing company during that time. He also gave advice on the company’s upcoming audits. “We had a very comfortable relationship,” Starrett said.

Starrett noted that Wu prioritizes working within budget to make sure clients are getting the most pressing action items taken care of first.

“He’s very good at what he does, and turns work around quickly and efficiently,” he added. “I can lean on him to take control of the situation. He makes sure I’m dotting all the I’s and crossing the T’s.”

As a result, Wu’s advice and guidance advanced the international data managing company’s policy development. “As challenges came up, Wu was instrumental in helping to make sure those challenges were handled in an optimal way,” Starrett added. “There were stressful times when we needed a reliable advisor who could work efficiently. He took away from the stress by being so dependable.”

Starrett said the partnership was successful because there was personal and professional trust. “Wu has the ability to roll with the punches, as well as the background and maturity to prioritize and adapt,” he added.

Above all, Starrett said he valued Wu’s expertise. “Wu’s in the top 5 percent of what he does,” he concluded. “He’s the pinnacle of the area that he works in, which was very relevant at the time of our working relationship.”