NEW YORK

Active member in good standing of the NY Bar since 2009.

EDUCATION

University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D.; Research Editor, Journal of International Law

  • University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School: Certificate in Business & Public Policy

  • Kansas State University, M.S. Finance, Honors Program

Contact Hayley

Hayley Nivelle, Esq.

PRINCIPAL + FOUNDER

Strategic Legal Counsel with BigLaw Training and Public Company Experience

I founded Nivelle Law to serve founder-led and growth-stage companies that need executive-level legal judgment—without full-time General Counsel overhead.

Before launching my firm, I served as Chief Corporate & Commercial Counsel at Ubiquiti Inc. (NYSE: UI), where I led global commercial contracting, corporate governance, securities compliance, regulatory matters, and litigation management.

I previously served as Associate General Counsel at ION Media Networks (now owned by Scripps) and began my legal career as a corporate associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, one of the world’s leading law firms, where I focused on acquisition financings and complex corporate transactions.

I earned my J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, along with a Wharton Certificate in Business and Public Policy.

That foundation matters.

It means I’ve seen how sophisticated legal infrastructure operates inside high-growth, high-visibility environments. I understand how deals are structured, how risk is evaluated, how litigation unfolds, and how governance decisions are scrutinized.

Today, I bring that same discipline and foresight to founder-led companies—without the bureaucracy or overhead of a large firm.

What Makes My Approach Different

I do not operate as a document processor.

I operate as a strategic partner.

Growing companies face decisions that shape long-term leverage:

  • Equity structure

  • Employment frameworks

  • Contract consistency

  • Risk allocation

  • Investor readiness

  • Litigation exposure

My role is to integrate legal thinking into those decisions early—so you can move quickly while protecting valuation and flexibility.

I also understand the pace and pressure founders operate under. Legal advice must be clear, practical, and business-aligned—not theoretical.

Modern Counsel for Modern Companies

Technology is changing how legal services are delivered.

AI can accelerate drafting and research.

It cannot exercise judgment.

My practice is built on combining technology-driven efficiency with executive-level context and accountability.

The goal is not to slow your company down.

It is to help you make faster decisions—with fewer blind spots.

Who I Work With

I work with:

  • Founder-led companies scaling revenue and headcount

  • Growth-stage businesses preparing for capital raises

  • Companies tightening governance and contract architecture

  • PE-backed portfolio companies needing embedded oversight

If you are building something serious and want legal strategy integrated—not reactive—let’s talk.