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Penningtons Manches demonstrates success in partnership


It’s just six months since a new name entered the Oxford legal market when Penningtons Solicitors LLP joined forces with the partners and staff of Manches LLP, winner in the Law Firm of the Year category at the 2013 Thames Valley Deal Awards


The move saw Penningtons Manches LLP become one of the dominant legal players in the South East – with 115 partners, over 600 staff and offices in London, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Godalming and Guildford in addition to Oxford and Reading.


One of the key drivers for the union between the two firms was the strong synergy on a strategic and cultural level as well as geographically. This has allowed Penningtons Manches to boost its client offering in its core commercial practice areas as well as integrating Manches’ market-leading family team with Penningtons’ highly-regarded private client department. It has also heightened the firm’s capability in key sectors such as technology and education, a particular benefit to the client base of the combined firm’s Oxford and Cambridge practices.


The Oxford office, located in Oxford Business Park, is home to a team of over 90 people, including 16 partners. Its close links with Oxford University and related commercial spin-offs have helped establish its reputation as a leading provider of legal services to the


technology sector, especially in the area of life sciences. As well as corporate and commercial advice, it offers real estate, employment, litigation, private client, family and immigration law expertise.


Penningtons Manches' Thames Valley presence is further strengthened by its office in Apex Plaza in the centre of Reading, which again supports both businesses and private individuals.


The firm’s strong team ethos ensures that each of its office locations provides access to the entire breadth of its expertise. This has meant that some of the specialist services offered by Penningtons Manches’ niche teams, such as its clinical negligence, personal injury, India and North America groups, can be delivered to clients across the Thames Valley.


The immediate aftermath of the decision to combine Manches with Penningtons has seen a period of integration of both legal teams and support functions as well as a brand refresh encompassing the launch of a new website. There have also been a number of significant


achievements highlighting the strength in depth of the firm during the early part of 2014.


Penningtons Manches’ life sciences team has won the Corporate INTL award for life sciences law firm of the year, its third accolade of this type in the past 12 months, while also acting on the sale of Oxford University spin-out company MuOx to Summit Corporation plc as part of an alliance to develop treatments for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Another significant deal for the Thames Valley team involved advising Westcoast Holdings on the acquisition of Viglen Technology. Meanwhile Oxford-based IT and outsourcing partner Dr Sam De Silva has been appointed as the UK solicitor representative to the IT committee of the Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE).


Speaking shortly after Penningtons and Manches joined forces, chief executive David Raine commented: “The legal market is constantly evolving and we do not believe that standing still is an option for any progressive law firm. The strong reputation and combined experience of our people will enable us to maximise our potential and offer an enhanced level of expertise.” Recent events have already provided a clear endorsement of this strategy and strike an optimistic note for the remainder of 2014.


Details:


01865-722106 info@penningtons.co.uk www.penningtons.co.uk


SHARING COMMERCIAL


PERSPECTIVE Our award-winning team delivers expert legal insight for businesses and individuals across the Thames Valley. To find out more, call us on 01865 722106 or e-mail info@penningtons.co.uk


Penningtons Manches LLP Oxford


Reading London Basingstoke www.penningtons.co.uk


061 Penningtons - The business magazine advert v1.indd 1 THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY –APRIL 2014


www.businessmag.co.uk 04/03/2014 23:22 Cambridge Godalming Guildford


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