John Suh, CEO of LegalZoom, in a candid leadership conversation with Bruce Aust, Vice Chairman of Nasdaq and President of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center.
A serial Internet entrepreneur himself, John Suh recognized that founders want to focus on their products, customers and teams rather than what he calls the ‘necessary evils’ of law and tax. Joining LegalZoom as CEO in 2005, John is on a mission to democratize law. A self-described ‘supply-chain guy,’ he’s grown his team to over 1,000 employees who continue to innovate under the guiding premise that legal help should be available to everyone.
Praised for their outstanding company culture, John believes that positive morale comes from actions, not slogans, it’s no wonder that ‘Zoomers’ see themselves as part of a family. And that notion of community isn’t just from the lawyers who leave their traditional firms for more purpose, flexibility and better work/life balance.
In this intimate forum, understand why John believes continuous learning creates an empowered workforce and that evolution is a group effort. Hear how he fosters a creative and strategic mindset for his team by reducing their fear of failure and supporting their personal career development. Also, learn why John strives for his company to be like a shark and what he sees as the keys to survival in our increasingly complex and connected world.
John Suh, CEO, LegalZoom
John, CEO of LegalZoom, took the helm 12 years ago, drawn by the vision of democratizing law for small business owners and families. The team leverages technology and a network of law firms to create innovative and affordable legal solutions that encompass everything from incorporating a business to obtaining a last will. Over the last 15 years, LegalZoom has grown to over 4 million customers and more than 1000 employees. LegalZoom is the world’s largest former of small businesses, the largest filer of Trademarks, and the most recognized legal brand in the United States.
John is a serial Internet entrepreneur with two decades of experience. Prior to LegalZoom, he served as CEO of StudioDirect, the Internet division of publicly traded Li and Fung. Previously, as co-founder and CEO of Castling Group, he helped offline companies create their Internet divisions, launching category leaders such as jcrew.com, hifi.com, and barneysny.com. Mr. Suh received a B.A. in Organizational Behavior and Public Policy from Harvard College and received his MBA with high distinction at Harvard Business School, graduating as a George F. Baker Scholar.
Bruce E. Aust, Vice Chairman, Nasdaq
Bruce E. Aust is Vice Chairman of Nasdaq. In this role, Mr. Aust works closely with Nasdaq’s Global Listing Services unit to assist clients and prospects worldwide. Mr. Aust also serves as President of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, located in San Francisco, and played an integral role in the creation and launch of the Center, which opened in 2015. The Entrepreneurial Center is a new non-profit organization funded by the Nasdaq Educational Foundation designed to engage emerging entrepreneurs through events, hands-on mentorship and education.
Previously, Mr. Aust served as Executive Vice President, Global Listing Services, a role in which he oversaw Nasdaq’s new listings and capital market business as well as global business development and relationship management with the companies listed on Nasdaq’s 16 listing markets worldwide.
