Professional Services
Active

Matt Weingast

Former Military Officer & Corp Executive | Fractional GC | Risk, Compliance & Strategic Transactions

About Me

I am a senior legal and business advisor providing fractional General Counsel and executive-level consulting support to organizations navigating growth, risk, and operational complexity. I work with founders, executives, and boards to align legal strategy with business objectives—helping companies scale responsibly while protecting enterprise value. My background spans fractional GC engagements, risk management, compliance frameworks, complex commercial and government contracts, and corporate governance. I have supported companies across consumer products, technology and IP-driven ventures, professional services, and government-facing businesses—often stepping in during periods of expansion, transition, or heightened regulatory exposure. I bring a pragmatic, operator-minded approach to legal leadership. Rather than functioning as a back-office constraint, I act as an embedded advisor—helping leadership teams structure deals, manage regulatory and liability risk, anticipate issues before they become disruptive, and move forward with confidence. My experience includes advising on commercial agreements, regulatory compliance, IP strategy, vendor and partner negotiations, insurance and risk readiness, and government procurement environments. I am particularly effective in fractional and advisory roles where organizations need senior-level legal judgment without full-time overhead. Clients value my ability to translate complex legal and risk issues into clear, actionable guidance that supports execution, growth, and long-term resilience.

Jurisdiction

United States

Notable Employer

  • Vice President & General Counsel at L3Harris Technologies
  • Senior Vice President & General Counsel at L3 Technologies
  • Vice President & Group Counsel at DRS Technologies (Subsequently became Leonardo DRS)
  • Corporate & Securities Attorney at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
  • Management Consultant at Booz Allen and Hamilton
  • Commissioned Officer - Operational Leader at US Army & US Army Reserves

Experience

Seniority LevelExecutive
Years of Experience20+ years
Current StatusActive
Vice President & General Counsel NotableL3Harris Technologies
2019 - 2025

Legal and compliance advisor and functional team leader supporting commercial, government and defense programs within a highly regulated environment, with experience in M&A, contracting, risk management, ethics and compliance programs, and cross-functional support of operational and program teams. Substantial experience working with US Govt agencies on trade compliance, security issues and other compliance and investigative issues, to include DoS consent agreements and special compliance officer matters. Responsible for managing human relations and compliance related investigations in terms of program oversight, investigation management and corrective action implementation to help support the corporation's growth culture.

Senior Vice President & General Counsel NotableL3 Technologies
2018 - 2019

Legal and compliance advisor and functional team leader supporting commercial, government and defense programs within a highly regulated environment, with experience in M&A, contracting, risk management, ethics and compliance programs, and cross-functional support of operational and program teams. Substantial experience working with Department of State, Department of Commerce and ATF, ITAR/EAR, and Security related compliance issues, to include DoS consent agreements and special compliance officer matters.

Vice President & General Counsel Day & Zimmermann
2016 - 2018

Legal and compliance advisor supporting government and commercial operations in a highly regulated munitions and defense and security products manufacturing and services environment, with a focus on M&A, contracts, compliance, risk management, and regulatory alignment. Substantial experience working with BATF, Department of State and Department of Commerce and ATF, ITAR/EAR, and Security related compliance issues.

Vice President & Group Counsel NotableDRS Technologies (Subsequently became Leonardo DRS)
2007 - 2014

Legal advisor supporting commercial and defense technology development programs, with experience in government contracts, regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management. Substantial experience working with Department of Defense, Department of State and Department of Commerce and ITAR/EAR, and Security related compliance issues, to include FOCI and proxy arrangements, consent agreements and complex investigations.

Corporate & Securities Attorney NotableDrinker Biddle & Reath LLP
1998 - 2007

Practiced in a large, full-service law firm environment, advising corporate and institutional clients on complex legal matters with a focus on business-aligned solutions. Practice was focused on M&A, Private Equity, commercial transactions, regulatory compliance, risk assessment, and dispute-related issues across a range of industries. Developed a strong foundation in legal research, drafting, and analysis while working within fast-paced, client-driven engagements. Gained exposure to sophisticated clients and high-stakes matters, contributing to practical legal strategies that balanced legal rigor with commercial realities. This experience established a disciplined legal framework and client-service mindset that later informed in-house and fractional General Counsel roles.

Management ConsultantNotableBooz Allen and Hamilton
1996 - 1998

Supported government and defense-sector clients in a consulting environment focused on mission execution, compliance, and organizational effectiveness. Advised on risk, policy, and regulatory considerations affecting complex government programs, working alongside multidisciplinary teams to deliver practical, client-focused solutions. Contributed to analysis, planning, and advisory efforts supporting federal clients operating in highly regulated environments. Developed experience translating legal, regulatory, and operational requirements into actionable guidance for senior leaders, reinforcing sound governance, risk awareness, and execution discipline. This role strengthened a consultative mindset and the ability to operate effectively at the intersection of law, policy, and operations—experience that later informed in-house legal leadership and fractional General Counsel work.

Commissioned Officer - Operational Leader NotableUS Army & US Army Reserves
1987 - 2011

Served as a commissioned Army officer in operational leadership roles with responsibility for personnel, mission execution, and risk management in high-stakes environments. Led and developed teams under conditions requiring disciplined decision-making, accountability, and adaptability, often balancing competing priorities with incomplete information. Three combat tours as leader of cavalry (ground reconnaissance), operational reconnaissance and military intelligence units. Gained foundational leadership experience in command, planning, and execution, with direct responsibility for people, resources, and outcomes. Developed a strong appreciation for organizational structure, chain of command, and ethical leadership—principles that later informed senior advisory, consulting, and legal leadership roles. This experience instilled a results-oriented mindset, comfort operating under pressure, and a leadership philosophy centered on responsibility, trust, and mission alignment.

Founder - Advisor / Consultant - Fractional GC GarryOwen Ventures
2014 - 2016

Founder of an advisory firm providing fractional General Counsel and senior consulting support to growth-stage and government-facing organizations, with a focus on M&A, governance, contracts, compliance, and risk management.

Founder | Managing Director | Fractional General Counsel & Senior AdvisorGarryOwen Ventures
2025 - Present

Founded a consulting and advisory firm providing fractional General Counsel, legal, risk, and strategic advisory services to growth-stage, regulated, and government-facing organizations. Advise founders, executives, and boards on aligning legal strategy with business objectives, enabling scalable growth while managing enterprise risk. Provide hands-on fractional GC support across corporate governance, commercial and government contracts, compliance frameworks, IP and data considerations, liability and insurance readiness, and operational risk management. Frequently engaged during periods of growth, transition, or heightened regulatory exposure where senior-level judgment is required without full-time overhead. Support clients operating in complex environments—including government contracting, professional services, consumer products, and emerging technology—by translating legal, regulatory, and risk issues into practical, business-aligned guidance. Act as a trusted advisor embedded with leadership teams, balancing execution velocity with compliance, accountability, and long-term value protection. GarryOwen Ventures also supports select government and institutional engagements involving conflict management, dispute resolution, facilitation, mediation, and advisory services, leveraging deep experience in regulated and mission-driven environments. This work is particularly focused on organizations / businesses that appreciate how compliance and conflict resolution can not only improve corporate culture but serve as an accelerator for creating a high growth, performance focused environment.

Skills

Core skills10
Languages1

Skills

Fractional General Counsel Leadership
Strategic Negotiation & Deal Structuring
Executive & Board Advisory
Regulatory Compliance & Governance
Risk Management & Liability Mitigation
Non-Organic Growth (M&A, Strat Relation)
Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholde
Conflict / Dispute Resolution
Risk Management & Liability Mitigation
Assessing Teams & Businesses

Languages

English

Services