Yinka Onayemi
Overview
Yinka Onayemi is a lawyer and old friend of Gary's. They reconnected on May 17, 2025, after approximately a year since their last conversation. Yinka recently joined a startup law firm focused on economic justice, bringing cases against large tech companies. He appears to be thriving in this new environment with significant professional success, including being named counsel on a major lawsuit.
Background & Professional Details
- Lawyer who recently (about a year ago) joined a startup law firm focused on economic justice
- Previously worked at a larger, more traditional law firm
- Current firm has about 15 people, described as a "ragtime group" of professionals from established backgrounds
- Colleagues include a former executive board clerk and former federal prosecutors from the DOJ
- Named counsel of record on a $200 million lawsuit against a company called "Doge"
- Works on contingency basis, with recent case wins bringing financial rewards
- The firm specializes in cases against big tech companies, described as "private prosecution"
- Recently won a case that earned him a financial bonus (tens of thousands)
Professional Focus
- Economic justice litigation
- Cases against tech companies that have violated regulations or agreements
- One specific case mentioned involved Doge's termination of grants for National Endowment for the Humanities scholars
- Deposing executives of major companies
- Embracing AI and technological innovation in legal practice
Connection to Gary
- Old friend with whom Gary reconnects periodically
- Previous connection to someone named Elliot who may have been introduced by Gary
- Shares interest in innovation and technology applications
- Casual, comfortable relationship with open discussions about personal and professional life
- Last caught up approximately a year before this meeting
Personal Insights
- Has a family member (possibly partner) named Temi who is developing a startup called "Moth"
- Temi is 27 years old and based in Philadelphia
- Temi's startup appears to be focused on social connectivity, described as similar to Yelp but with "a more humanistic touch"
- Recently reconnected with an ex-girlfriend named Katie after being apart for approximately the same amount of time they dated (a year and a half)
- Expressed some ambivalence about getting back together with his ex, noting it feels like "a time warp"
- Values career growth and taking calculated risks over institutional security
Potential Collaboration Areas
- Legal insights for Gary's projects
- Connections to economic justice initiatives
- Expertise in litigation against tech companies
- Shared interest in innovation and AI applications
- Possible connections through his startup law firm
Key Quotes
"It's all about economic justice. Suing, going after. It's kind of like private prosecution."
"I'm like deposing executives of big companies... I'm named counsel of record on a $200 million lawsuit that was filed against Doge."
"We get paid on contingency... you get cash flows."
"I was obviously a little bit afraid of leaving the institution. Because that's the safer place to be."
"Individual attorneys willing to embrace [AI] are going to do better. Law firms willing to embrace it are going to do better."
Interactions
- ~2024-05: Previous catch-up, possibly around the time Gary was organizing a big event
- 2025-05-17: In-person meeting where they discussed Yinka's new job, dating lives, family updates, and Gary's recent activities
Next Steps
- Follow up on the progress of Temi's startup "Moth"
- Potential introduction to legal colleagues working on innovative cases
- Check in on developments with the $200 million lawsuit against Doge
- Keep in touch regarding his relationship with Katie
- Explore potential legal implications of Gary's projects
Transcripts
| Transcript ID | Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-05-17-yinka-onayemi-conversation-summary | 2025-05-17 | In-person meeting about career transitions, family updates, and economic justice litigation work |