Remembering Leonard

I am profoundly saddened to hear of Leonard's passing. I met Leonard on the other side of the table in a deal where we invested in a company he represented. I am not sure he loved all of my comments and suggestions, but through time I believe he understood that I was trying to improve the documents, and in a short time, we became friends. I am sure I express the same thoughts as everyone, that he will sorely be missed. And to his family, I can only say, May his memory always be a blessing!

I still can’t wrap my head around Leonard’s passing. I saw him only a few times, but I’ll always remember meeting him for the first time in 2019.

That was pre‑COVID. My business partner and I were running a wild media venture in Russia, a blog that had grown into a publishing company with journals, an online platform, a five‑star hotel, a book‑publishing division, and a branding agency. It was an anomaly, so we decided to expand to the United States. It was pure madness

We flew to California to launch an American C‑corp and were supposed to meet Leonard there in the late afternoon. Exhausted, young, and stupid and 24/7 sleep‑deprived, we thought a morning joint would keep us awake and spice up things. We're in America, for God's sake! It got us completely wasted, and I was still feeling the effects by the end of the day when we finally met Leonard in his office.

Leonard was so cheerful and fun to be around. He seemed to sense that our project wouldn’t succeed in the end, but he didn’t say it outright, of course. Instead, he laughed out a story about his past startup: after receiving investment, he bought a red sports car, angered the investors, and was fired. He was trying to tell us that shit happens, but that doesn’t mean you stop enjoying life.

we didnt see it coming, but the pandemic destroyed our company, and the following year it went bankrupt under a mountain of bank loans. but to this day I remember Leonard's optimism cause he've seen stuff.

I’m really sorry for your loss. He was a genuinely kind person, and I know you'll mis him.

Dear Leonard! We are always with You. We so miss You. Ilya and Liza

I was so sorry to hear about this, it was a shock and I feel very sad. I started to work with Leonard even before the company was incorporated, actually it was him to incorporated it, and since then we continued to work with him as legal councel of the company.

Sure he had much bigger customers than our company but he never felt us left alone or less important. He always used "we" pronoun when discussed legal tasks and problems with me, such as "how do we solve the problem.... what we can do...", I never felt he was an external consultant, he always made it as he's part of the team. That was outstanding in the market. I always felt him on the founder side of the company. It's a huge loss for us.

My deepest condolences to his loved ones and colleagues.

For almost any Russian-speaking founder, on any continent, if you asked who to turn to with a legal question about startups, sooner or later you would hear the same answer: you need to talk to Leonard.
That is how I found him too.
I simply wrote him an email, without really expecting a reply. What came back was an incredibly warm, human message together with a whole list of relatives, friends, and connections Leonard had in Chile and across Latin America.
We agreed that when his travels brought him to this part of the world, we would finally meet in person.
I am very sorry we never got that chance. Un abrazo grande, Leonard.

Leonard entroduced me to Venture Capital, a job I love ever since. He was the best tutor you could wish. I will never forget hundreds of calls we had together that were aim to find a solution to a complicated situation or deal but always turned out to be more about support and optimism together with top notch professionalism by Leonard. You felt so positive after speaking to him. I will miss him badly. So sad he passed so early. Rest in peace, Leonard!

I was a law school classmate of Leonard's. I have so many stories of about the crazy out-of-the box thinking of Leonard. He was always interested in truth, and spoke it with such passion. I think sometimes it did not occur to him that truth was not always everyone's most important metric. As someone cut from the same cloth, I felt that I understood Leonard's outlook on life so very well. I always enjoyed his company. So much so, that I went to this website to track him down. I will miss him. I would be honored to know more about any memorial plans, so that I can share them among my UCLA law colleagues.

Leonard was a wonderful person and an exceptional professional. I always admired his ability to think outside the box and find thoughtful, creative, and individual solutions to even the most challenging situations. His passing is a tremendous loss for our community. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.

Leonard had a tremendous impact on me, both personally and as an entrepreneur building my life in America. He helped me better understand the venture world here and always seemed to have an answer, or at least a thoughtful way forward, no matter how difficult the situation was.

Of all the lawyers I have worked with, Leonard was one of the most founder-friendly and genuinely committed to helping entrepreneurs. He had a strong sense of fairness, was always willing to help, and was someone you could truly rely on. Everyone who worked with him knew that he would do everything he could to find a solution.

This is a tremendous loss for the Russian-speaking community in Silicon Valley and for everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

I feel very fortunate that I had the chance to know Leonard and spend meaningful time with him.

Thank you for everything, Leonard. Rest in peace.

Очень грустно осознавать, что Леонард больше не с нами. Мне посчастливилось поработать с ним на нескольких проектах, и меня всегда восхищал профессионализм Леонарда, а его доброта и душевность делали работу с ним легкой и приятной. Светлая память...

It was an honor to work with Leonard Grayver, a splendid lawyer and a truly open-hearted man. Brilliant, generous, and endlessly kind, he cared for his clients as he cared for his friends. He collected old cars with love and an eye for every detail, and he gathered bright, wonderful people around him with the same care. Leonard loved life and helped everyone around him love it a little more. My deepest condolences to his family, partners, and colleagues. R.I.P. Leonard, drive over a rainbow.

Leonard was with us from the very beginning of Synder, helping us establish the company in 2020 and supporting us through so many important moments along the way.
Over the years, he became much more than a lawyer and advisor to us. We could always rely on his professionalism, wisdom, support, and genuine desire to help. At the same time, what made Leonard truly exceptional was his warmth, positivity, and incredible love of life. Every conversation with him went beyond business — his energy, humor, and outlook on life always left an impression.
It is incredibly difficult to realize that he is no longer with us. We are deeply grateful for everything Leonard did for Synder and for us personally, and we feel very fortunate to have known and worked with him.
Our deepest condolences to Leonard’s family, friends, and everyone at Grayver Law Group. We share in your sorrow and will remember Leonard with enormous gratitude and warmth.

I didn't have the privilege of knowing Leonard in person, but what a wonderful team he built! It is no coincidence that the best people attract the best people. My deepest condolences to his family, partners, and colleagues.

I had the privilege of working with Leonard as the lawyer for a Ukrainian startups. Working with Leonard and his team was always a wonderful experience, and their legal guidance and support were truly invaluable.
I am deeply sorry for this loss. My sincere condolences to Leonard’s family, friends, and colleagues. He will be greatly missed.
Rest in peace, Leonard.

Please allow me to express a very deep sense of loss. Lenya and I were connected mostly professionally. We did not know each other’s families, but in our conversations Lenya often talked about his family. What we shared besides our professional activities were our roots - our homeland, and our Russian-Jewish emigre experience. This connection was very strong, and I always inherently felt that I understood Lenya’s essense as a man, husband, and father.

Speaking directly to Lenya’s family and closest friends, please know that this man was respected, he was genuine and humane. Please accept my deepest, deepest condolences for the pain you feel. Lenya will be greatly missed.

I had the privilege of working with Leonard and the firm since 2013, across all three startups I co-founded.

What I remember most about Leonard was his incredibly positive outlook on life. You could feel it even through work. There were so many times when I called him stressed about an issue, and his calm, positive attitude left me feeling completely at peace.

With his humor, warmth, and genuine care, he had a way of changing my perspective on whatever problem I was facing and reminding me that, at the end of the day, it was just work.

Even through our professional relationship, you could feel how much Leonard enjoyed life. That stayed with me, and I will always remember him for it.

My deepest condolences to Leonard’s family, friends, and everyone at the firm. He was a wonderful person, and I feel very fortunate to have known and worked with him for so many years.

Leonard was a great man, it has been a big pleasure to work him, to talk to him about anything at all. He was ready to help and to support both professionally and personally. His death has struck us, it is unexpected, unfair and very very sad. We all lost a good friend...

Leonard, Lenya...

It is incredibly painful and heartbreaking to know that you are no longer with us. You had such a generous spirit and a truly big heart. Thank you for all your help and support, both in work and in life. I will miss you more than words can express. ❤️

It was a pleasure to know Leonard and work with him. He was a passionate, kind, and open-minded person.

He had a generosity, and he wasn't the venture legalist you expect to meet by default. He was something different, and every meeting with him was full of positivism. Leonard was constantly trying to help more than he obliged and even more than you expect from him.

His illness was a surprise. I can only hope he is in a better place now.

You will be missed.

It is with profound sadness that we received the news of Leonard Grayver's passing. Please accept our deepest sympathies to Leonard's family and the entire team at Grayver Law Group.

While our experience working with Leonard was limited to a single engagement, we were immediately struck by his thoughtful, meticulous approach to the work and the genuine care he showed toward his clients as a person. His dedication and kindness left a lasting impression on us.

We will miss his counsel and his unique ability to make those around him feel valued. Our thoughts are with Molly, Emma, Anna, Eugene, Hilary, and the rest of the family during this unimaginably difficult time.

Lenya dorogoi, Your kindness and generosity a gift that blessed so many. Thank you for help and so many bridges that you built between old and new, east and west, forward thinking and yesterday's mindset. Thank you for sharing your diverse talents and interests that were so inspiring. A huge loss and many memories.

It was a pleasure working with Leonard while my tenure at GeoZilla. I particularly remember the summer of 2022 when the whole team would stay on call way past midnight in a pursuit of an deal. Thank you Leonard!

It is an untimely and unimaginable loss to everyone who was lucky enough to know Leo. He had an extraordinary ability to connect with and relate to other people, and to help them on their journey.

Leo played a monumental role in my career, and I am endlessly grateful for it. I remember him expressing regrets about how he used the funds from his exit from Evernote (yes, he was one of the creators of this immensely popular early app that is still used by many). Somewhere in his heart, I think he wanted to retire a while ago... He also wanted eventually to become a judge. He would have made a GREAT one.

Leo was an avid lover of Russian literature. Here is Юрий Левитанский:

“Всё проходит в этом мире, снег сменяется дождём,
всё проходит, всё проходит, мы пришли, и мы уйдём.
Всё приходит и уходит в никуда из ничего.
Всё проходит, но бесследно не проходит ничего.

И, участвуя в сюжете, я смотрю со стороны,
как текут мои мгновенья, мои годы, мои сны,
как сплетается с другими эта тоненькая нить,
где уже мне, к сожаленью, ничего не изменить,

потому что в этой драме, будь ты шут или король,
ДВАЖДЫ РОЛИ НЕ ИГРАЮТ, ТОЛЬКО РАЗ ИГРАЮТ РОЛЬ

И над собственною ролью плачу я и хохочу,
по возможности достойно доиграть своё хочу -
ведь не мелкою монетой, жизнью собственной плачу
и за то, что горько плачу, и за то, что хохочу.”

He played his role amazingly well—an exceptional example for all of us to follow and emulate. I never heard a thoughtless word from him or saw a thoughtless deed. There was meaning in how he lived his life. He inspired everyone around him to be a little kinder, a little more spiritual, and to value meaning in our own lives.

My deepest condolences to his family and friends. May the light Leo left behind brighten your future, and may a part of him remain in all of us for as long as we live.

Leonard was a great person. Even though I didn't have a chance to work with him closely for a long time, I'm still very grateful to him for his openness and support. He was the only person on my path who truly understood the situation I was in and didn't hesitate to help.

He was a really pleasant man, full of wisdom and transparency. I'm sure he is in a better place now.

Dear Leonard!

So very sorry to hear this sad news! It was a privilege to have known and worked with you. I will remember you as a wonderful person and a highly respected professional. My heartfelt condolences to your family and everyone who knew you. Rest in peace.

Дорогой, Леонард! Как больно понимать, что тебя нет с нами. Мы не так много были знакомы, но разве длительность знакомства определяет близость человека и важность его в твоей жизни? Ты останешься в моей памяти человеком невероятной доброты. Какой-то неведомой для юриста из кремниевой долины. С той самой душой, которую многие из нас тут теряют в погоне за капиталом, который мы точно не заберем с собой. А вот душа наша останется. И я бы хотел, чтобы по уровне твоей доброты и теплоты моя душа была похожа на твою.

Когда я зашел впервые в твой офис, я удивился этой непохожести на все эти бездушные офисы американских компаний. А в этом офисе жила и живет душа. Коллекционера, поэта, Человека.

Спасибо тебе за всё, что ты сделал для меня. Показывая, как с улыбкой на лице можно решать самые сложные дела.

Вечная память, дорогой Леонард. Спасибо за невероятный пример для нас всех, как не смотря ни на что уметь сохранять себя.

Обнимаю крепко.

❤ Leonard Grayver ❤ ... добрый, душевный, теплый, часто несуразный, часто непонимаемый миром, и зачастую непонимавший этот жестокий мир Добрый Человек... он долго и тяжело болел, и скрывал это, а мы все сердились на его исчезновения, на его необязательность...
но разве это важно? он был весь соткан из добра, из заботы, улыбки, из радости от жизни, невероятной (особенно для венчурного юриста!) мягкости, деликатности, бесконечной душевной щедрости и теплоты, он был всегда великодушен, всегда открыт, и всегда безмерно радушен... человек добра, человек тепла, человек солнышка... очень грустно, что тебя больше нет с нами, Лёня...
но знаю, что ты не хотел бы чтоб мы плакали и грустили... нет... ты хотел бы чтоб мы смеялись и вспоминали твои байки, твои стихи, твою улыбку и твои несуразности и радость от тебя...
спасибо тебе за то, что ты был ХОРОШИМ ЧЕЛОВЕКОМ
прости нас за то, что, не зная про твои болезни, мы сердились, отчитывали тебя, обижались... пусть память о тебе останется такой же светлой, каким ты был ВСЕГДА,
каждый день своей солнечной, доброй, любящей жизни...
последние стихи Леонарда Грайвера:

Пустой бокал.

Концерта начало, литавр звон и медь,
Я помню, бывало, хотелось мне петь,
Лишь пьяные лица, и хохот, и свист,
Хотел бы забыться, но нет, я артист.
Печаль меня гложет,
Покоя нет, сна,
Уже не поможет
Бокал вина,
Но нет, всё нормально,
Я просто устал,
И смотрит печально
Пустой бокал.
Повсюду вельможи, для них же я шут,
Противные рожи, все что-то жуют,
Так мало осталось в глубинах души,
Но слышу из зала "давай, шут, смеши!"
Я снова послушно
Пою, как во сне,
Но боже, как душно,
Как холодно мне,
Но нет, всё нормально,
Я просто устал,
И смотрит печально
Пустой бокал.
О, что со мной стало, на сердце тоска,
И всё внутри сжала стальная рука,
Быть может, я болен, кого в том винить,
Но я же не волен концерт отменить.
В окошке осенний
Колышется лист,
Мой выход, на сцене
Стою, я артист,
И нет, всё нормально,
Я просто устал,
И в глади зеркальной
Пустой бокал.
(с) 2025 Грайвер ❤

А до этого было такое оптимистичное.......

По дороге поезд вьётся
И над нами он смеётся
"От меня вам не уйти,
Будем все в конце пути,
Ловкий ты или не ловкий,
На конечной остановке
Все мы будем на перроне
И, заметь, в любом вагоне,
И конечно, нет сомненья,
Что из пункта назначенья
Беден ты или богат,
Не воротишься назад".
Хоть часы не обмануть,
Не спешим туда ничуть,
Едем, щёлкаем орешки,
Ни малейшей нету спешки.
Как нетрудно дагадаться,
Все мы любим покататься,
За окном столбы, как стражи,
И меняются пейзажи,
Жарко, солнечно, тепло,
И вдруг дождик, как назло,
Ветер жутко завывает,
Вечно солнце не бывает.
Так что лучше постараться
Пока едем, наслаждаться,
Песни петь, смотреть в окно,
Всем, что в жизни нам дано!
(с) Грайвер 2025 ❤

этот мир страшно осиротел без тебя, дорогой Лёня................................... ❤

Leonard’s innate sunshine was palpable. His presence was an absolute joy. The gratitude I feel for getting to witness the profound impact he had and will continue to have on my brother Daniel, cannot be put into words. It was a beautiful friendship to witness.

Thank you for everything, Leonard.

I'll never forget when I first met Leonard in 2014. I came by his office to interview for a position at his firm, nervous and hoping to make a good impression. Upon meeting me, the first thing he said was: "Dima, before we get started with the interview, come let me show you my samovar collection!" Many years of mentorship and an amazing friendship followed that meeting, and so often, when faced with something novel, I still catch myself thinking, "Ok, what would Leonard do here?" Leonard showed kindness and generosity to everyone he knew and left the world a much better place. He is deeply missed.