Withers launches tech venture with acquisition of six-partner firm
Tie-up with JAG Shaw Baker will see the launch of new legal offering, dubbed Withers Tech
August 01, 2018 at 06:27 AM
3 minute read
The original version of this story was published on Law.com
Withers has acquired six-partner technology law firm JAG Shaw Baker, creating a new legal offering, Withers Tech.
JAG's entire 39-strong team, which includes six corporate and intellectual property-focused partners, has joined Withers' offices in London and Cambridge today (1 August).
The team, which is made up of 20 other lawyers and 13 business services staff, advise UK and US entrepreneurs, companies and investors across sectors including life sciences, clean technology and digital technology.
Withers, which said the new venture would focus on entrepreneurs, investors and technology companies, declined to disclose how many of JAG's partners would join as equity partners.
Jeremy Wakeham (pictured), CEO of Withers' business division, commented: "We are very excited to welcome JAG Shaw Baker to the firm. Their in-depth experience in the technology sectors is a great strategic complement to the work we do for tech entrepreneurs and investors in the US and in Asia, and presents exciting possibilities to increase our activity in the sectors."
JAG was launched in 2013 by co-founders James Shaw and Tina Baker. Prior to founding JAG, both were partners with Brown Rudnick – Shaw for four years and Baker for almost 13 years. Before joining Brown Rudnick, Shaw was a senior associate at legacy SJ Berwin.
Baker was a senior attorney with US firm Edmonds & Co and also had a 10-year career as a professional musician and songwriter, which included singing backing vocals for Madonna and Bruce Springsteen.
Shaw added: "Since we opened our practice in 2013, it has always been our vision to grow our business through global expansion; and over the past five years, we have successfully created a business model that works for the European tech and life sciences ecosystem.
"The fast-growth tech and life sciences markets are a growth area for Withers, so together with our industry expertise and their international reach, we can deliver that global model overnight to all of our clients."
Withers recently posted a 1.2% increase in revenue alongside a 5.5% rise in profit per equity partner (PEP) for 2017-18. Revenue rose slightly from £174.5m to £176.6m, while net profit climbed to £32.2m. The results mean the firm's turnover has more than doubled during the past 11 years, climbing from £78.2m in 2006-07.
PEP, meanwhile, hit £402,000, a 5.5% increase on 2016-17 when equity partners took home an average of £381,000.
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