After beginning his legal career as an associate in our Palo Alto office from 2015 to 2017 and then returning as a boomerang alum from 2018 to 2020, Phil Wong went in-house with Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where he is now Senior Associate General Counsel. He earned his J.D. from Northwestern University. We recently spoke with Phil about his career path, his time at Wilson Sonsini and how he still draws on his experience here every day, his recommendation for those considering an in-house career, and the importance of intentional work-life balance, among other topics.
Did you choose a law career, or did it choose you? Could you tell us a bit about your career trajectory?
It was a bit of both. I studied accounting as an undergrad and began my career as a forensic accountant at a Big Four firm, where I worked on fraud investigations, damages calculations for litigation matters such as wage-and-hour cases, and anti-money laundering matters. Because of the nature of that work, I partnered closely with lawyers—and that was really my first meaningful exposure to the legal profession.
Over time, I found myself increasingly interested in the “why” behind the matters—the business goals, risk tolerance, and long-term strategy—rather than just the numbers. That curiosity ultimately led me to law school.
I originally assumed I would go into litigation, since most of my accounting work supported litigators. But during my summer at Wilson Sonsini in 2014, I was really drawn to corporate work. I loved the collaborative and proactive nature of transactional practice, and the opportunity to help clients navigate high-stakes decisions with clear thinking and practical advice. I also realized my accounting background could be just as valuable on the corporate side, so I decided to focus my career there.
What did you learn at Wilson Sonsini, and what stands out when you think of your time here?
Wilson Sonsini taught me what it means to practice at a high level—not just technically, but as a trusted counselor. I learned to be crisp in my communication, thoughtful about judgment calls, and relentlessly focused on what the client actually needs in the moment. At the end of the day, no one needs a long legal analysis listing all pros and cons without a clear recommendation and actionable next steps.
What stands out most is the caliber of the people: the combination of excellence and teamwork, the willingness to teach, and the culture of “we’re in it together,” even when the work can be unpredictable and intense at times. I’m especially grateful for the mentors and senior attorneys who invested in my growth and gave me real ownership early on. I also took away a toolkit I still rely on every day—how to run a process, manage multiple stakeholders, and stay steady under pressure.
How did you find the experience of moving in-house? What advice might you have for those thinking about making that change?
I loved it. I joined a16z in 2020, right in the thick of COVID. I hadn’t been planning to leave Wilson and wasn’t actively looking, so it was definitely a surprise when the opportunity came together.
Moving in-house was a meaningful shift—less about delivering a discrete work product and more about owning outcomes over time. You’re much closer to the business context, and the questions are broader: not only “Can we do this?” but “Should we do this, and how do we do it in a way that aligns with our goals?” I learned quickly that the answer is often “Yes, but”—helping the business weigh trade-offs, understand risk, and choose the best path forward. I’ve also loved the partnership aspect: working cross-functionally, helping teams move quickly, and building systems that scale. The learning curve is real, but it’s energizing.
For anyone considering the change, my advice is to get clear on what you want more of (breadth, ownership, proximity to decision-making), and to be ready to prioritize. In-house, you’re constantly balancing competing needs, so learning the business and building strong relationships with your cross-functional partners makes a huge difference.
How have you been able to achieve work-life balance and what do you do to unwind?
Work-life balance has been less about achieving a perfect split and more about being intentional—knowing my non-negotiables and protecting them when I can. I try to plan ahead around predictable peaks like the weeks leading up to a major holiday, communicate early when priorities shift, and build in small recovery points so the intense stretches don’t become the default. I’ve also learned that boundaries work best when paired with reliability—people trust your limits when they know you’ll deliver.
To unwind, I love planning date nights with my husband to try new restaurants, and taking our miniature poodle, Archie, to explore dog parks around the Bay Area. Anything that gets me out of “email mode” and into a different rhythm makes a big difference.
What’s something interesting that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I love interior design and real estate. I spend way too much time browsing Redfin and Zillow, and I genuinely enjoy going to open houses on the weekends—just for fun—to see different homes and design ideas.