Iain Cockburn is a Partner in the London Transactions and Corporate team, recognised for his expertise in venture capital and growth equity. He advises founder-led and management-led high-growth companies, alongside leading venture capital funds and institutional investors, on significant venture and growth transactions, including later-stage and multi-round financings. He is regularly instructed on matters involving complex governance frameworks, sophisticated investor rights, founder and management equity arrangements and cross-border deal structures, and acts across the full company lifecycle through to strategic exits.
Alongside his transactional practice, Iain has a distinctive focus on the operational delivery of legal services. He works closely with the firm’s technology and product teams to develop scalable, data-enabled approaches to client delivery, with particular emphasis on consistency, efficiency and risk management in large-scale and repeat venture transactions.
Alongside his transactional practice, Iain has a distinctive focus on the operational delivery of legal services. He works closely with the firm’s technology and product teams to develop scalable, data-enabled approaches to client delivery, with particular emphasis on consistency, efficiency and risk management in large-scale and repeat venture transactions.
Education and Career
Iain is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh (MA (Hons)) and the University of Law (Post-Graduate Diploma in Law – Distinction). He trained and practised in the City of London at leading national and US firms before joining specialist technology boutique JAG Shaw Baker, where he advised emerging and high-growth companies and their investors. Following JAG Shaw Baker’s merger with Withers in 2018, he became a Partner at the firm and was subsequently recognised as a Next Generation Partner for Venture Capital by Legal 500. Iain joined YPOG in 2025 and is a founding member of the firm’s London team.
Qualifications
- Solicitor
- MA (Hons)
Languages
- English
