Wainright Fishburn, Jr. ’75

Wainwright Fishburn is a prominent venture capital lawyer and Global Chair of Cooley’s Digital Health group. After graduating from the UofA with degrees in Economics and Political Science, Wain attended the UC Hastings College of Law. Wain’s practice emphasizes general representation of life science, technology and other operating companies that range from startup through IPO. His practice focuses on corporate governance matters as well as mergers, acquisitions, strategic alliances, and intellectual property, licensing, and management. 

As a recognized thought-leader, Wain is a frequent speaker at programs addressing industry issues, including at the International CES Digital Health Summit, CNS Summit, Impact Forum, the Samsung: Health + Tech Conference and the Body Computing Conference. Wain chairs the Digital Health Track at the BIO International Annual Meeting as well. 

Due to his many accomplishments, Wain has been recognized as a leading attorney in numerous publications including recognition by The Daily Journal as one of California’s top attorneys. As both a founder and counsel, Wain has worked with venture capital backed companies across a variety of fields. In the digital health sector, clients span across SaMD/regulated devices, remote care and delivery, genomics, consumer health and tech-enabled services. Wain also serves as Chairman of the Critical Path Institute, a public-private partnership created in part by the FDA, dedicated to integrating advances in the development pathway with a focus on advancing digital tools. 

Wain is past Chairman of the NCI designated Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, which uncovers the origins of disease and defines bold new strategies for achieving cures. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the UCSD Moores Cancer Center where he is afforded a clinical perspective on breakthroughs in precision medicine. Wain is a co-founder of seven companies, two of which went public. 

Not bad for a former dishwasher at the Vineyard (now called Dirtbag’s). 

Outside of his professional career, Wain is an avid cyclist and recently cycled 625 miles around the Cape of South Africa and Tour de France routes. He and wife, Debby, have two children, Wesley, and Virginia. They currently split time between NYC, Tucson & La Jolla.

“My fraternity years remain central to my character development and truly are ‘not for college days alone,’ said Wain. “I had a terrific pledge class where I learned that you are only as strong as your weakest link. I appreciated the diverse characters and views represented by our Fiji brothers. We respected the heritage of the local and national fraternity and held ourselves to the high standard that Fijis are gentlemen."