About Mark S.
Mark S. Ostrau earned a B.A. in economics from Yale University in 1982 and a J.D. from Stanford University in 1985. Those years shaped his intellectual approach. He studied markets, incentives and institutions at Yale. He learned the law’s structure and methods at Stanford. The combination set a foundation for a practice that blends legal analysis with economic reasoning.
Early in his career Ostrau joined Fenwick & West LLP. He worked alongside lawyers at a firm that serves corporate clients and entrepreneurs. His time there exposed him to the transactional side of legal work and the practice rhythms of a large law firm. Colleagues remember him for a practical approach to problem solving and for an ability to translate technical concepts into clear advice.
Ostrau’s training in economics left a distinct mark on how he handles legal questions. He tends to break problems into component parts and to measure trade-offs. That habit shows up in drafting, negotiation and in assessing risk. He prefers a methodical pace. He asks what outcomes mean for clients in dollars, risk and time.
He is licensed to practice in California. Much of his professional life has been spent serving clients in that state. He has worked on matters for a range of organizations and individuals, often in settings where commercial and regulatory issues intersect. He is comfortable moving between courtroom preparation, deal documentation and client counseling when the situation calls for it.
Today Ostrau maintains an active practice in California. He continues to draw on his dual background in law and economics when advising clients, aiming to clarify options and to set realistic expectations. He currently practices in California, handling matters that draw on his background in law and economics.
