Tony West

Tony West has become a household name in Silicon Valley. By leading the legal and policy team at Uber, he was responsible for helping the ride-sharing company navigate through regulatory challenges, data breaches, and lawsuits that threatened its existence. From the public's perspective, West was the steady hand that guided Uber through its most turbulent times, when the company was often seen as a renegade in the transportation industry. In 2021, General Motors poached him to become their General Counsel, where he now oversees legal matters for one of the oldest and largest automakers in the world. In a recent interview, West shared some of his insights on leadership, decision-making under pressure, and how companies can navigate the regulatory challenges of the technology industry.
West grew up in the South Bay area outside of San Francisco, and his legal career began with large law firms in California and Washington, DC. But it was at Uber that he started to make a name for himself. He joined Uber in 2017, when the company was facing regulatory battles on multiple fronts and was under fire for its cutthroat corporate culture. West was brought in to clean up the mess, and he quickly became known for his calm demeanor and his ability to negotiate with government officials and regulators.
One of West's most notable achievements at Uber was his work on the company's self-driving car program. Under West's guidance, Uber entered into partnerships with several automakers, and the company began testing its self-driving cars on public roads in several cities. These tests were often controversial, and West had to work closely with regulators to ensure that they were conducted safely.
In 2021, General Motors hired West to be their General Counsel. This was a significant coup for GM, as West is one of the most respected lawyers in the technology industry. At GM, West is responsible for overseeing all legal matters, including mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and compliance.
In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, West shared some of his insights on leadership and decision-making under pressure. "The most important thing is to stay calm," West said. "When you're in a crisis, it's easy to let your emotions get the better of you. But you need to be able to think clearly and make rational decisions."
West also stressed the importance of being prepared. "You can't always predict what's going to happen," West said. "But you can be prepared for anything by doing your homework. The more you know about your business and the industry you're in, the better equipped you'll be to handle whatever comes your way."
West's experience at Uber and GM has given him a unique perspective on the regulatory challenges facing the technology industry. "The regulatory landscape is constantly changing," West said. "Companies need to be agile and adaptable to stay ahead of the curve."
West also believes that companies need to be proactive in working with regulators. "Regulators are not the enemy," West said. "They're there to protect the public. By working with regulators, companies can help to create rules that are fair and that promote innovation."
Tony West is one of the most respected lawyers in the technology industry. His experience at Uber and GM has given him a unique perspective on the regulatory challenges facing companies today. West is a strong advocate for working with regulators to create rules that are fair and that promote innovation.