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William Samengo-Turner

Partner

Email

william.samengo-turner@aoshearman.com

Phone

+44 20 3088 4415

Offices

London

V-CARD
Will is Technology Sector Lead and focuses on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters within the tech sector and its related industries both in EMEA and the United States.

From emerging enterprises and startups to large public corporations, he advises some of the world’s leaders in technology on a range of issues including M&A, JVs, private fundraising, and digital transformation.

A member of A&O Shearman’s London corporate team, Will has spent considerable time living and working in Silicon Valley and he continues to split his time between London and the Bay Area. His experience on the West Coast includes a wide variety of M&A and financing transactions for corporations of varying sizes and stages of development - ranging from seed round investments in start-ups to major acquisitions and disposals by listed multi-national companies and he is particularly adept at navigating the challenges of trans-Atlantic deal making.

Will is also a leader of the firm’s digitalisation practice, advising clients at all stages of development and across a broad range of sectors on the challenges and opportunities brought about by digital disruption and innovation in their markets.

Experience

Representative matters

  • Having lived and practiced in Silicon Valley and continuing to split his time between London and the Bay Area, Will acts as a bridge for a wide variety of West Coast Clients looking to buy, build or collaborate in Europe and beyond. His practice covers the entire life-cycle of technology companies, from seed to exit and he has a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by fast-growth founder-led businesses. He also regularly helps clients navigate the challenges of bringing Valley market terms to international deals.
  • Will has advised a wide range of the world’s leaders in technology on their strategic acquisitions – from discrete acquihires to major cross-border M&A. His work includes advising a multinational technology company on numerous deals across Europe, Etsy on its USD1.6bn acquisition with Depop, DoorDash on its USD8bn acquisition of Wolt, and Peloton on its acquisition of Precor. 
  • Will has a wealth of experience in advising both companies seeking to raise private capital and also investors wishing to take stakes in high growth businesses. From early stage raises to significant pre-IPO investments, experience includes advising issuers such as Checkout.com, Zopa and Babylon Health and investors including Khosla Ventures; the Public Investment Fund; and a number of major Tech giants.
  • Will regularly advises on a wide range of digital transformation projects across numerous sectors outside technology with clients which include Toyota, and Mercuria. Projects include the development of industry-redefining blockchain platforms, strategic collaborations with start-ups and established tech businesses, and the development and launch of new digital business units within a client’s group.

Pro bono

  • Governor of Sacred Heart School, Camberwell, London.

Recognition

“Will Samengo-Turner is very knowledgeable, user-friendly and responsive. In particular, he understands the need to cut the legal advice appropriately to suit a particular deal – which leads to timely and efficient execution”
Legal 500 2024, Venture Capital
“William Samengo-Turner is very responsive, commercial and has great market knowledge”
Legal 500 2024, Venture Capital

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2009

Academic

MA (Oxon), Modern History, University of Oxford, 2005

Graduate Diploma in Law, Oxford Brookes University, 2006

Legal Practice Course, College of Law Moorgate, 2007

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.