When Eric Stein interviewed this spring to become the first general counsel of the startup Oberon Fuels, he asked an important question: Did the team want a corporate attorney, someone who could adeptly handle matters the company had been dispatching to outside counsel? Or did it want a true GC, someone who would help shape strategy and serve as a trusted adviser to other senior leaders and the board?

Stein was eager to make his mark in the startup world, after having worked his way up the legal ranks to become general counsel at a large energy holding company.