Sullivan
Microsoft has discontinued support for Internet Explorer. To access the Sullivan website, please install a modern browser like Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Biography

Ben is a leading commercial technology lawyer, recognised for advising some of the most prominent and innovative technology businesses, including multiple unicorns, decacorns and Tier-1 venture capital funds.

His practice is centred on supporting high-growth companies and their investors in the development, deployment and global scaling of technology-driven products and services. Ben regularly leads the negotiation of strategically important, cross-border commercial arrangements, including mission-critical contracts that underpin clients’ core operations. He also has a strong interest in the transformative role of AI in legal services and supports in-house legal teams in developing and deploying their own legal technology solutions.

With a strong international focus, Ben works extensively on transatlantic matters, helping clients navigate divergent legal and regulatory frameworks. He ensures that technology assets and commercial structures are robust, scalable and effectively aligned across jurisdictions, including from a tax efficiency perspective.

Ben’s practice also encompasses the evolving regulatory landscape affecting the technology sector. He advises on national security and investment regimes (including under the NSIA), artificial intelligence and broader emerging technology regulation, data governance and cross-border data flows, as well as import and export controls. He has particular experience in health technologies and is known for delivering pragmatic, commercially focused advice that enables innovation while effectively managing regulatory risk.

Prior to joining Sullivan, Ben was a partner at a leading European law firm.

Education
  • University of Kent (LL.B., First Class)
  • Kings College London (LL.M., with distinction)
Bar & Court Admissions
  • Solicitor-Advocate, Senior Courts of England and Wales
Awards & Honors
  • Growth Capital Team of the Year (winner) – The Lawyer – 2026
  • Innovative Lawyer Awards Europe (shortlisted) – The Financial Times – 2024
  • Legal Technology Team of the Year (shortlisted) – Legal Business Awards – 2024
  • Recommended Lawyer – The Legal 500
  • Recommended Lawyer – Chambers & Partners
     
Sullivan’s Trade Finance and Venture Capital Practices Recognised by The Legal 500 UK, 2027
London, UK - International law firm Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) has been recognised by The Legal 500 UK, 2027 for both Trade Finance and Venture Capital, reflecting the continued strength and expansion of the firm’s London practice areas. Sullivan’s Trade & Export Finance practice has once again received a Tier 1 ranking, maintaining the top-tier position it has held for over a decade. The Legal 500 recognises the firm for its strength “across the full spectrum of trade and commodity finance.” The 2027 edition recognises several members of the Trade & Export Finance team. Geoffrey Wynne, Simon Cook and Robert Parson are included in the Hall of Fame, Mark Norris is recognised as a Leading Partner, Daniela Barrdear as a Next Generation Partner and Geraldine Butac as a Leading Associate. The practice also receives The Legal 500’s client satisfaction accolade for ‘Sector Knowledge’. Client feedback collected independently by The Legal 500 research team highlights the team’s ability to combine technical expertise with practical and commercial advice. One client describes the team as “responsive, pragmatic and commercial,” adding that its lawyers “feel more like an extension of the team.” Geoffrey Wynne and Marian Boyle are also singled out for their combination of technical depth, commerciality and collaborative approach. For the first time, Sullivan’s London office is also recognised in The Legal 500 UK’s Corporate and Commercial – Venture Capital category, where the firm is included as a ‘Firm to Watch’ and receives The Legal 500’s client satisfaction accolade for ‘Sector Knowledge’. James Shaw is recognised as a Leading Partner, while Iain Cockburn is named a Next Generation Partner. The recognition follows the arrival at Sullivan in June 2026 of its 10-lawyer Emerging Companies and Venture Capital team, led by partners James Shaw, Iain Cockburn and Ben Williams. The team, which was named Growth Capital Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2026 shortly before joining Sullivan, advises venture-backed companies, founders and investors across the business lifecycle, including venture financings, M&A, intellectual property strategy and complex strategic advisory matters. Its arrival significantly expanded Sullivan’s transatlantic offering to innovative and high-growth businesses and the investors that support them. Geoffrey Wynne, head of Sullivan’s Trade & Export Finance practice and the London office, said: “We are delighted that the continued strength and depth of our London practice areas has once again been recognised by The Legal 500. The individual rankings across the team, together with the feedback from our clients, are particularly welcome and reflect the experience, commercial approach and commitment of our lawyers.” James Shaw, who leads Sullivan’s Emerging Companies and Venture Capital team, added: “To be recognised by The Legal 500 so soon after joining Sullivan is an encouraging reflection of the strength of the team and the work we are doing for founders, growth companies and investors. Combined with Sullivan’s established international platform, we have an exciting opportunity to support innovative businesses as they grow, raise capital and expand internationally.” About Sullivan Sullivan is a premier, AmLaw 200 international law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies, and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes and its commitment to best-in-class client service.
Sullivan Advises ETF Partners (Lead) and A&G on Investments in Open Cosmos as Part of €300 Million Equity Funding Round
Sullivan & Worcester’s recently acquired award-winning European Growth Capital Team, led by James Shaw and Ben Williams, advised ETF Partners (Lead) and A&G in connection with their continued support and investment in Open Cosmos, a U.K.-headquartered satellite technology company, as part of the company's €300 million funding round announced on September 14, 2026. The financing was backed primarily by European investors and represents one of the most significant recent investments in Europe's growing space sector. According to reports, the transaction comes amid increasing investment in European space and satellite technologies as the region seeks to expand its independent space capabilities and strengthen its commercial space ecosystem. Founded in 2015, Open Cosmos develops satellite missions and Earth observation solutions that help governments, businesses and organizations access and use satellite data to address environmental, infrastructure and commercial challenges. The Sullivan team was led by James Shaw and Ben Williams and included Yeji Lee, Francesca Salisbury and Fai Tai. For more information, please see the full press release here.