Former Uber legal leader and Obama administration official joins political technology organization as it scales its work expanding democratic participation.
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Civitech, a public benefit corporation building the tools and data infrastructure to advance progressive candidates and causes, today announced the appointment of Andrew Byrnes as its General Counsel. Byrnes will serve as the company's primary legal advisor and join its Executive Leadership Team, guiding Civitech's legal, governance, and compliance strategy as it continues to grow.
Byrnes brings more than 25 years of experience across technology, law, business, and public policy, and a decades-long commitment to Democratic politics. He previously served as Senior Legal Director, Rides at Uber, where he helped lead legal work for the company's global rideshare business across more than 60 countries, and as Deputy General Counsel and Global Head of Public Affairs at Getaround, as well as other senior legal and public affairs roles at venture-backed technology companies. As Chief of Staff at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under President Obama, he oversaw a staff of more than 12,000 and a $3 billion-plus annual budget while coordinating with the White House and other agencies on intellectual property and innovation policy. Earlier in his career, he was a partner at Covington & Burling LLP, advising clients on intellectual property and political law.
Byrnes has also been active in Democratic politics for more than three decades, including serving as Chair of the San Mateo County Democratic Party, and on the National Finance Committees for the Obama, Biden, and Harris presidential campaigns. He has also used his legal background to advance civil rights, serving as co-lead counsel in a landmark racial profiling lawsuit against former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
His appointment marks an important stage in Civitech's growth. Since the company's 2019 founding, more than 1,400 partners have used its tools to reach tens of millions of voters. As Civitech prepares for its next stage of expansion, Byrnes will build the legal, governance, risk, and compliance infrastructure needed to support it. In the role, he will serve as the company's primary legal advisor, advise on corporate transactions and strategic partnerships, and help ensure Civitech's legal framework keeps pace with its growth.
"As Civitech grows, we're operating at an increasingly complex intersection of technology, data, politics, and business. Getting the legal and governance foundation right at this stage is paramount to our growth," said Jeremy Smith, CEO of Civitech. "Andrew has spent his career at exactly that intersection, and he is well-equipped to help us navigate it. His judgment, experience, and lifelong commitment to progressive causes make him the ideal person to guide us through this next stage."
"I've spent my career helping innovators navigate complex legal, policy, and strategic challenges, and I've seen firsthand the power of technology to transform how people connect and organize," said Byrnes. "Civitech is applying that power to one of the most consequential challenges we face: strengthening democratic participation. I'm excited to join an exceptional team and help the company grow and expand its impact."
Byrnes is the Principal of Byrnes Impact, where he advises technology companies and other innovators at critical moments of growth, risk, and opportunity. He is also an Entrepreneur in Residence at Yale Ventures and a Fellow of the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program.
Byrnes earned his B.A. in political science with honors and distinction from Stanford University and his J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School.
About Civitech
Civitech is a public benefit corporation that gives progressive campaigns and organizations the proprietary voter data and outreach tools to identify, register, and engage the voters who decide their races. Since its founding in 2019, more than 1,400 partners (including campaigns at every level of government, national political organizations, and major nonprofits) have used Civitech's tools to reach tens of millions of voters.
SOURCE Civitech
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