Team
Sam McClure
Managing Partner
After graduating from Stanford Law School, Sam started his career at Gunderson Dettmer LLP, where he worked with top-tier venture capital firms and dozens of startups from formation through maturity. He left the firm to co-found a consumer software startup, heading product, growth, and various business functions. The company was acquired.
Sam returned to Stanford to teach at the intersection of startups, law, sustainability, and impact. He regularly consults with founders who need a strategic legal advisor with operational experience and a 360-degree perspective. Cedar Grove LLP is the result of that practice.
Michael Ohta
Partner
After graduating from Stanford Law School, Michael worked at Fenwick & West LLP, where he advised top startups and venture funds on financings, acquisitions, and corporate governance.
He then joined Ironclad, a leading contract software company, as one of its first lawyers. At Ironclad, Michael led corporate and commercial legal while partnering with the product team to drive innovations in legal tech.
Michael has since advised dozens of early-stage founders, and at Cedar Grove LLP he brings deep experience at the intersection of startups, law, and operations.
Michael Levin
Counsel
After graduating from Stanford Law School and Doerr School of Sustainability, Michael began his legal career in Orrick's Santa Monica office, advising top startups and venture funds on financings, acquisitions, and corporate governance.
He then joined SPZ Legal, a boutique startup law firm, as their first associate, where he advised mission-driven founders and investors on all matters in their business lifecycles. Michael also spent time at Silicon Legal Strategy, a similarly-focused boutique, and in-house at Amazon, where he handled corporate legal affairs for dozens of Amazon's global subsidiaries.
At Cedar Grove, Michael brings deep experience as an advisor and outside general counsel to entrepreneurs, emerging technology companies, and venture capitalists.
Molly Manning
Counsel
After graduating from Stanford Law School, Molly started her legal career at Davis, Polk & Wardwell LLP advising public and private companies in connection with mergers, acquisitions and corporate governance. She then joined Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, working on transformational corporate matters for technology-focused clients. Molly most recently worked at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP on complex M&A transactions across a variety of industries, including biopharma, media, consumer goods and information technology.
At Cedar Grove, Molly draws on a decade of top-tier legal experience to advise clients across a broad range of corporate matters throughout every stage of the company lifecycle.
Victoria Muñoz Torres
Director of Strategic Operations
Victoria earned her J.D. from Stanford Law School and began her legal career as a corporate associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, where she advised clients on complex corporate transactions. She later joined Atticus, where she helped build and scale one of the country’s largest legal marketplaces. As a member of the leadership team, she led strategic initiatives across partnerships, operations, and product, building the systems and teams needed to support rapid growth.
At Cedar Grove, Victoria brings a unique combination of legal training, strategic thinking, and hands-on operating experience to help founders navigate complex challenges and build and scale exceptional businesses. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Valery Uscanga
Legal Operations Associate
Valery holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla and has worked with startups and venture-backed companies across international teams.
She specializes in legal operations and supports founders and leadership teams by bringing structure, clarity, and scalable processes at the intersection of law and business. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and French.
Luisa Arango
Assistant
Luisa holds a degree in Literary Studies and Performance Art from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia and a master’s in Theatre Practice from the University of Exeter in England. Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, she has a strong appreciation for language and communication. She has worked at the World Literacy Foundation and other law firms prior to joining Cedar Grove LLP, enriching her experience in advocacy, research, and cross-cultural communication.
Beyond the academic and professional, she has a strong background in literature and performance, making her passionate about storytelling in all its forms, from the professional to the creative and the personal.