Silicon Valley law firm announces London expansion

Silicon Valley law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR) is set to launch an office in London.

The Palo Alto-headquartered company’s new base, opening at 41 Old Street this summer, will work to give UK-based tech and life sciences businesses better access to US markets.

WSGR supports UK startups and scaleups through all stages of their life cycle in the US – from the point when they launch across the Atlantic and expand, to their fundraising efforts and partnerships, M&As and IPOs.

Partner Daniel Glazer will lead the London office, having served as a US counsel for UK companies for close to 20 years.

Doug Clark, managing partner of WSGR, said: “Our firm has maintained its established position in the US as the leading law firm provider to innovative enterprises, dating back to Silicon Valley’s formative years, because of our sustained success in helping emerging companies advance through the business life cycle.

“By opening an office in London, we are extending the many resources we offer to UK-based technology and life sciences companies to help them launch and scale their US operations, raise US capital, and complete cross-border transactions.”

He added: “This is a key milestone for the firm and we are very enthusiastic about the opportunities it will present to our clients and colleagues in London.”

Data compiled for London & Partners by PitchBook, venture capital investment in the capital’s tech sector soared past the $3.3bn mark in 2017 – almost twice the 2016 total.

After opening in London on August 1, WSGR will operate across 15 offices, 11 of which are in the US.