Janet Smith

As general counsel at Intellectual Ventures (IV), Janet Smith brings more than 20 years of experience as a corporate lawyer specializing in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), securities, finance and governance matters, as well as a secondary practice in intellectual property (IP) transactions. Janet previously served on IV’s corporate affairs team for five years, leading the group as chief counsel—supporting complex transactions, fundraising, and corporate governance matters across all funds.

Prior to joining IV, Janet was senior corporate counsel for M&A at Amazon. She was also senior counsel for both the corporate transactions team and strategic IP transactions and licensing team at Motorola, where she supported global M&A and venture capital transactions. She began her career practicing corporate and securities law at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP. 

Janet received her bachelor’s degree in finance from Miami University in Ohio. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, and a juris doctor from the University of Michigan Law School.