Sullivan
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Biography

Iain is a Partner in the London Corporate team and a recognised adviser in venture capital and growth equity. He advises founder and management-led high-growth companies, as well as venture capital funds and institutional investors, on significant venture and growth transactions.

Iain’s work includes later-stage financings, pre-exit rounds, lead investor mandates, consortium investments, secondary transactions and cross-border matters. Iain also advises on the broader corporate issues that arise as companies scale and institutionalise, including governance arrangements, investor rights, founder and management equity structures, shareholder arrangements, strategic corporate matters, as well as issues relating to the UK’s National Security and Investment Act 2021.

Iain has been recognised as a Next Generation Partner for Venture Capital by The Legal 500 and is a leading member of the team that was recently named Growth Capital Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2026.

Before joining Sullivan in 2026, Iain was a Partner in leading City and European law firms.

Education
  • University of Edinburgh (M.A. (hons))
Bar & Court Admissions
  • Solicitor, Senior Courts of England and Wales
Awards & Honors
  • Recognised as a "Leading Partner" by The Legal 500 UK (2027)
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 & Worcester Continues Expansion of London Platform with Arrival of 10-Attorney Award-Winning Emerging Companies and Venture Capital Team
June 25, 2026 – International law firm Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) today announced the arrival of one of the UK’s leading Emerging Companies and Venture Capital teams, significantly enhancing the firm's transatlantic capabilities and accelerating its strategic growth in London. The team, which was recently recognized as Growth Capital Team of the Year at the 2026 The Lawyer Awards in London, is led by partners James Shaw, Iain Cockburn and Ben Williams, who are joined by counsels Mary Harley, Tina Baker and Andrew Gay, and associates Yeji Lee, Francesca Salisbury, Fai Tai, and Ali Woodcock-West, and two dedicated business support professionals. Associate Bryan Tsui, who subsequently joined Sullivan in September 2026, was also a member of the award-winning team recognized at The Lawyer Awards. Their arrival establishes a premier Emerging Companies and Venture Capital practice in London, further advancing Sullivan’s strategy of building a fully integrated international platform serving innovative, high-growth businesses and the investors that back them. The team advises venture-backed companies, founders, and investors across the full business lifecycle, including venture financings, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property strategy, and complex strategic advisory matters. “This is a transformational addition to our already strong London office and a major milestone in the continued expansion of our international platform,” said David Nagle, Sullivan’s Managing Partner. “James, Iain, Ben, and their team are widely recognized as leaders in the emerging companies and venture capital market, with deep relationships across the innovation economy and a proven track record advising businesses from formation through to successful exits and access to U.S. capital markets. Their arrival significantly enhances our ability to serve founders, investors, and growth companies on both sides of the Atlantic. We are delighted to welcome them to the firm.” The group has developed a market-leading reputation across some of the world’s most dynamic sectors, including life sciences, climate technology, fintech, deeptech, and artificial intelligence. Shaw, who leads the team joining Sullivan, said, “We are excited to join a firm with such a powerful U.S. platform and deep international finance capabilities. As innovation-driven companies increasingly operate across borders and look to access U.S. markets and capital, the opportunity to combine our practice with Sullivan’s global reach creates a compelling proposition for founders, investors, and emerging businesses. We look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues and continuing to support clients through every stage of growth.” The team joins Sullivan’s highly regarded London office, which has experienced significant momentum in recent years. The firm's market-leading trade and export finance practice, led by Geoffrey Wynne, was further strengthened in 2025 with the additions of partners Robert Parson and Matthew Cox, enhancing Sullivan’s position as a leading advisor on complex cross-border transactions and financing matters. PARTNER BIOS James Shaw – James advises entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies and investors across all stages of the corporate lifecycle. With more than 20 years of experience, he is trusted counsel to founders and investors, and frequently serves as outside general counsel to science-based and innovative companies. Highly regarded for his work in the European life science and fintech sectors, he has extensive experience representing companies on complex corporate transactions, venture capital financings, strategic investments, acquisitions, and divestitures. Iain Cockburn – Iain advises founder and management-led high-growth companies, as well as venture capital funds and institutional investors, on significant venture and growth transactions. His work includes later-stage financings, pre-exit rounds, lead investor mandates, consortium investments, secondary transactions and cross-border matters. Iain also advises on the broader corporate issues that arise as companies scale and institutionalize, including governance arrangements, investor rights, founder and management equity structures, shareholder arrangements, strategic corporate matters, as well as issues relating to the UK’s National Security and Investment Act 2021. Ben Williams – Ben is a leading commercial technology lawyer advising innovative growth companies (including unicorns and decacorns) and their investors. He supports high-growth businesses and investors in developing, deploying and scaling technology products globally, leading complex cross-border commercial negotiations. With strong transatlantic expertise, he aligns technology, regulatory and tax frameworks across jurisdictions. Ben also advises on AI, data, national security and emerging regulation, delivering pragmatic, commercially focused solutions that enable innovation while managing risk. About Sullivan Sullivan & Worcester (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, the impeccable judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best-in-class client service.