the legal 500


‘Strong track record’ Corporate & commercial


Penningtons Manches LLP has a particular focus on the technology, life sciences, media and publishing sectors, advising clients on M&A and on all stages of the equity investment cycle. Will Axtell acted for Bush & Co Rehabilitation on the £28m sale of share capital to NAHL Group, and Rob Hayes advised Veryan Holdings on an £18m fundraising by a syndicate of international investors. Simon Bickerdike heads the corporate practice, which includes technology expert Nicola McConville, who recently joined from Blake Morgan.


In Surrey, the corporate and commercial practice has a life sciences and technology slant; highlights included advising LG Motion on its acquisition of a 65% controlling interest in Precision Acoustics. Simon Bickerdike heads the national team. Julian Harvey moved to Downs Solicitors llP.


In Hampshire, the Basingstoke office leverages the firm’s network of offices to advise on corporate and commercial matters across the South East. Charles Brooks and Franco Bosi both have experience in M&A, corporate restructuring and joint ventures. Joanne Vengadesan focuses on commercial work, with a particular focus on IP and technology matters.


Commercial litigation


The firm has ‘a strong track record of seeking innovative solutions on behalf of clients’. Matthew Martin is assisting All Saints with its commercial and brand protection matters. Emma Davies is ‘driven, efficient and approachable’, and Alex Fox is commended for his ‘strong tactical acumen, which ensures a robust and effective running of the case’. Rustam Dubash has taken over as head of the practice from David Pritchard, who retired in October 2015.


Banking & finance


Rich Eldridge leads the ‘professional and diligent’ team, which includes associate John Chater. The team advised Northumberland Development


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Land, part of the Carebase group, on two term loan facilities.


Employment


Penningtons Manches is highly active in the technology, housing, hotel and education sectors, and recently acted for an employee in a grievance investigation before the Court of Appeal. Key figures include Daff Richardson, who advises on employee relations issues, Eugene Wojciechowski, who has handled a number of trade union disputes, and Sally Nesbitt, who is recommended for restructuring and redundancies.


In Surrey, key figures include practice head Michael Cole, who ‘always takes a dynamic approach to cases’; and associate director Tim Randles, who ‘is a real tour de force’. The practice acts for clients in the charities, healthcare and education sectors, among others.


In Hampshire, the team regularly handles discrimination claims and director exits. Clients include BBC Worldwide and Wellington College. David Bickford heads the practice, which includes newly promoted partner Gemma Woodhouse.


Immigration


The team acts for clients including PRP Architects and Oxera Consulting. Senior associate Duncan Bain handled several matters for the latter, including advising on entry clearance and leave to remain applications.


Pensions


The team ‘punches above its weight in the market’, and practice head Maria Riccio is ‘a safe pair of hands for any case, large or small’. The firm advised Sun Life of Canada on the operation of its historic pension products.


Clinical negligence: claimant


The ‘superb’ team includes the ‘outstanding’ Philippa Luscombe and Alison Appelboam-Meadows, whom clients praise for their ‘extensive expertise’ and ‘robust and clear’ advice.


Personal injury: claimant


The practice is led by the well- regarded Philippa Luscombe.


Recent work includes high-value catastrophic and fatality cases in England and abroad.


Family


Penningtons Manches is ‘excellent for high-net-worth cases’. Kerry Fretwell’s expertise includes child-related matters and financial settlements.


Personal tax, trusts & probate


Caroline van Zyl handles the full range of private client tax matters, including estates, trusts, lasting powers of attorney and dispute resolution. Associate Iain Managhan is the other key contact.


In Surrey, Liz Garvey heads the practice and ‘is excellent with clients’. 2015 highlights for Garvey included advising on complex probate issues and high-value estate administrations.


In Hampshire, the team stands out for its ‘wealth of knowledge, experience and substantial resources’. Recent highlights include advising PennTrust on a claimant issue concerning a Georgian businessman’s estate. Michael Cash and senior associate Sian Hodgson have ‘an impressive knowledge of the technical law’.


Education


Daff Richardson’s team was bolstered with the arrival of Alison Talbot in 2016. It has notable expertise in the HE sector, where it acts for clients including several Oxford colleges and Oxford University Press. The group advised the latter on a joint venture with AQA to provide international GCSE and A-level qualifications to schools outside of the UK. Senior associate Gemma Woodhouse is a specialist in the independent schools sector.


Commercial property


Penningtons Manches continues to be instructed by Frontier Estates in connection with the £40m redevelopment of Epping Town Centre, and is also advising White Stuff on the acquisition and disposal of its high-street stores. Simon Knott is ‘very knowledgeable, responsive and respectful’.


Environment


Richard Smith regularly acts on contaminated land liabilities, waste management, environmental impact assessments and habitat planning for an impressive client list including EDF Energy Nuclear Generation and Facenda Group. Highlights included advising Coats plc on a collaboration agreement pertaining to the clean-up of contaminated land.


Property litigation


Practice head and ‘fierce litigator’ John Morrison is supported by associate Sabrina Furneaux- Gotch, who is ‘an up-and- coming star’. 2015 highlights included representing East Tower Apartment in a service charge dispute and a dispute concerning unreasonably withheld consent to assign.


Social housing


The firm has a strong track record advising on shared ownership schemes, with ‘very good’ practice head Linda Storey a key name in this space. Storey led advice to Southern Housing on developing a product aimed at existing shared owners seeking to purchase a property on the open market.


IT & telecoms


The group is noted for its ‘strong commercial acumen, market knowledge, drafting skills and attention to detail’. Joanne Vengadesan acts primarily for IT and technology suppliers, and Sam De Silva has strong IT contract expertise. BluePointLondon, Fujifilm UK and Aldermore Bank are key clients.


Intellectual property


The firm’s ‘accessibility, business understanding and detailed clarity sets it apart from its competitors’. The group is particularly active in the science, fashion, retail and publishing sectors. Litigator Rachael Barber and non-contentious expert Chris Shelley acted for Robert Bosch on a number of trademark and copyright infringement issues. Anna Frankum co-heads the practice.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – OCTOBER 2016


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