A TAMR (Thermal Assisted Magnetic Recording) write head uses the energy of optical-laser excited plasmons to locally heat a magnetic recording medium and reduce its coercivity and magnetic anisotropy. The magnetic field of the write head is enhanced by the formation of a leading shield that is formed in a concave geometrical shape and partially surrounds the waveguide portion of the head within the concavity, which allows the distal end of the waveguide to extend to the ABS plane of the write head. This arrangement reduces the gap between the shield and the magnetic pole and does not interfere with the ability of the waveguide to efficiently transfer its optical energy to the plasmon generator and, ultimately, to the surface of the magnetic recording medium.