Inside Perkins Coie’s London play: Ian Bagshaw on launching a US firm in a crowded market, attracting the best talent, and the rise of private capital

Ian Bagshaw is a City law private equity partner now heading up the London office of US law firm Perkins Coie which he launched in 2024. A highly experienced corporate lawyer with nearly 30 years in the field, he is recognised for his leadership in the private equity market at both UK and US law firms.

Before joining Perkins Coie, he was co-head of private equity at White & Case, where he built one of London’s top private equity practices. Before that, he held senior roles at Linklaters (co-head of private equity) and was also a partner at Clifford Chance.

In this conversation, Ian discusses his return to law to lead Perkins Coies launch in London, emphasising the strategic timing and focus on tech clients and founders. He shares insights on building a startup culture within the firm, the importance of talent experience, and the impact of private capital on the legal industry. Ian outlines his vision for the future of Perkins in Europe, highlighting the need for a differentiated approach in a competitive market.

Chapters

00:40 Introduction to Perkins Coie and London Launch
06:10 Focus on Tech Clients and Founders
13:10 Building a Startup Culture in a Law Firm
17:50 Training and Development Strategies for Talent
19:10 Vision for Perkins Coie in the Next Decade
22:20 Private Capital’s Impact on Big Law
28:44 Investment Dynamics and the Future of Law Firms
34:25 The Changing Landscape of Legal Practice
37:20 Advice for Junior Lawyers