Ex-Withers group launches London office for German tech law firm YPOG

YPOG – which stands for You + Partners of Gamechangers – has already established itself as a leading VC advisor in the DACH region. Over the past year, the firm advised on more than 100 deals and supported a growing roster of clients, including Helsing, Bullish, Personio, HV Capital, Atomico, Northzone, and Phoenix Court.

From Munich to London: Building a Pan-European Brand

“After expanding to Munich last year, opening an office in the UK positions us at the heart of European innovation,” said Benjamin Ullrich, co-managing partner at YPOG. “This is our first step toward building a truly pan-European brand. In doing so, it was essential to bring in a market-leading team with deep sector experience and proven track record in scaling both clients and YPOG internationally.”

The London office is being spearheaded by a team that previously built and scaled JAG Shaw Baker, later integrated into Withers Tech, which became one of the most active VC law practices in the UK and Europe. Led by James Shaw, the team has advised scale-ups such as Wise, Revolut, and Snyk, as well as top-tier funds including Stride.VC, Phoenix Court, Index Ventures, Molten Ventures, and Astanor.

Redefining Legal Support for the Technology Sector

Founded in 2017, YPOG was built with technology at its core. Its in-house AI team works alongside lawyers to develop tools that improve efficiency, transparency, and outcomes. The firm’s proprietary SaaS product, YSolutions, is used by over 500 customers to meet compliance requirements. This digital, process-automated approach allows lawyers to focus on strategic client support rather than administrative tasks.

“The legal sector is at a huge inflexion point globally,” said James Shaw, partner at YPOG London. “Emerging technology solutions are challenging traditional law as a service. Firms that do not evolve risk losing talent, clients, and relevance. We saw the opportunity to create something new – a firm that combines market-leading expertise with tech solutions from Europe to challenge the dominance of US tech giants.”

Supporting Europe’s gamechangers

YPOG spans corporate, fund structuring, tax, IP/IT, financial regulatory, litigation, and compliance, offering workflows, playbooks, and automation tailored to clients’ technology challenges, and has demonstrated consistent excellence in advising high-growth companies.

Carola Rathke, co-managing partner, emphasized: “We don’t just advise the tech ecosystem; we are an integral partner. We operate like entrepreneurs and tech leaders, speak their language, and share their curiosity and drive for change.”

A strategic alliance for European innovation

The London office represents a strategic collaboration between YPOG and the ex-Withers team, bringing together deep sector expertise and a shared vision of innovation-led legal services. Benjamin Ullrich added: “It was crucial that the London team not only brought professional excellence but also embodied our values and culture, helping to shape YPOG’s future across Europe.”

With this expansion, YPOG strengthens its position as a European tech law powerhouse, bridging legal expertise, technology solutions, and the speed required to support the continent’s leading innovators.