Ali Abtahi

Ali Abtahi is the founder and managing attorney of Abtahi Law Group. He partners with university-affiliated startups and emerging technology companies addressing human and planetary health challenges. He provides strategic counsel on entity formation, IP strategy, regulatory pathways, and venture capital fundraising.

Experience

Ali’s interdisciplinary training in molecular biology, epidemiology, law, and financial strategy, combined with his legal and venture capital experience, positions him to bridge the gap between academic research and commercial success. He is keenly interested in helping academic founders navigate the path from laboratory innovation to venture-backed growth.

Ali’s practice focuses on digital health, medical devices, climate tech, and breakthrough technologies emerging from leading research institutions. He serves as a mentor at the University of Wisconsin (Creative Destruction Lab-Wisconsin), Harvard University (Harvard HealthLab Accelerator), and the University of Oxford (Oxford Venture Builder and Oxford Moonshot). He guides seed-stage founders through commercialization, international structuring and expansion, scale-up, and capital raising.

Ali has served as an advisor to several emerging health tech companies and university-affiliated startups. His advisory experience encompasses CardioCare (cardiovascular prevention), CureMetrix (AI-based medical imaging), CureMatch (precision oncology), Intrinsic Powers (TMS-EEG and consciousness detection), and Oxailis (AI-powered ultrasound).

Ali also draws on extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, representing businesses, consumers, and public entities. His background includes high-impact dispute resolution and litigation involving consumer protection, environmental, public health, and product safety matters.

Ali holds a BS in molecular biology and political science from University of Wisconsin, an MS in epidemiology from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, a JD from University of Wisconsin Law School, and a PGDip in financial strategy from University of Oxford, Saïd Business School.

Education

  • University of Oxford, Saïd Business School – PGDip, Financial Strategy
  • University of Wisconsin Law School – JD
  • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – MS, Epidemiology
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison – BS, Molecular Biology & Political Science
  • Harvard Law School – Program on Negotiation (Certificate)

Clerkships

  • San Francisco Superior Court, Law and Motion Department – Legal Research Attorney (Hon. A. James Robertson II, Hon. Ronald E. Quidachay) | 2002–2004

Publications

  • Lack of Evidence for a Role of HTLV-I in the Occurrence of Subclinical HAM/TSP in the Miyazaki Cohort Study, Journal of AIDS (May 2000)
  • Consumer Law: Advances and Setbacks, Advancing the Consumer Interest (Vol. 12, No. 2, Fall 2000)
  • The Effect of Population Safety Belt Usage Rates on the Number of Motor Vehicle-Related Fatalities, Accident Analysis & Prevention (Jan 2002)
  • Preying on the Elderly: How Predatory Lenders Have Robbed Elderly Californians of Millions of Dollars, Forum (Jan/Feb 2006)

Admissions

  • State Bars: California | Illinois | North Carolina | Wisconsin
  • Federal Courts of Appeals: Second Circuit | Ninth Circuit
  • Federal District Courts: Northern, Central, Eastern, and Southern Districts of California | Northern District of Illinois | Western District of Wisconsin