Prime Highlight 

• YPOG has opened its first overseas office in London, led by James Shaw and a senior team from Withers, marking a major step in its European expansion. 

• The firm aims to position itself as “Europe’s go-to innovation partner,” competing with US law firms through tech-driven legal solutions. 

Key Facts 

• YPOG, the most active VC advisor in the DACH region (PitchBook), now has more than 230 professionals across four German offices and London. 

• The London team includes James Shaw, Iain Cockburn, Ben Williams, Andrew Gay, Susanna Stanfield, Mary Harley, and Tina Baker, along with associates and a data scientist. 

Background 

German tech-focused law firm YPOG has established its first overseas office in London, bringing on board a senior team from Withers to spearhead its European expansion. Located in King’s Cross, the new base follows the firm’s Munich launch last year and represents another step toward building a pan-European brand.

YPOG earned the distinction of being the most active VC advisor in the DACH region, as reported by PitchBook. The firm said its London office represents a central step toward becoming “Europe’s go-to innovation partner.”

The London office will be led by James Shaw, co-founder of boutique firm JAG Shaw Baker, which merged into Withers in 2018 to form Withers Tech. Shaw and his colleagues have advised leading tech clients, including Wise and Revolut, alongside funds such as Stride.VC, Phoenix Court, and Index Ventures.

“The legal sector is at a turning point,” Shaw said. “If firms do not evolve with technology, they risk losing talent and clients. We see YPOG as the right platform to combine expertise with tech-driven solutions that can compete with the dominance of US law firms.”

Alongside Shaw, the team includes partners Iain Cockburn, Ben Williams, Andrew Gay, Susanna Stanfield, new partner Mary Harley, and JAG co-founder Tina Baker. They are joined by a group of associates and a data scientist.

YPOG confirmed the lawyers had initially planned to launch a GenAI-powered law firm before deciding to join forces with the German firm. Founded in 2017 as SMP, YPOG has since grown to more than 230 professionals across four German offices, advising on over 100 deals in the past year.

The firm operates on a “lawyer-technologist” model, with an in-house AI team working alongside lawyers to improve speed, transparency, and client service. Its practices span corporate law, fund structuring, tax, IP/IT, financial regulation, litigation, and compliance.

“YPOG has become a leading tech law brand in Europe,” Shaw said. “Together, we want YPOG to be the first name global founders, investors, and entrepreneurs think of when they come to Europe.” 

Read Also : New Law Holds Companies Accountable and Boosts Anti-Fraud Measures