About us
Welcome to Penningtons Manches Cooper, a leading UK and international law firm committed to helping clients achieve the best real-world outcomes. We combine a full-service offering with a practical, client-first approach, delivering high-quality legal advice tailored specifically to your needs – whether you’re a business, not-for-profit organization or private individual.
Connecting clients to legal excellence
With offices spanning major cities, including London, Birmingham, Oxford, Cambridge, Madrid, Piraeus, Paris, Antibes and Singapore, we blend local knowledge with a global perspective. Our team of over 400 specialist lawyers has built a strong reputation in private wealth, property, technology and shipping. We’re also highly regarded in life sciences, education, sports, media and creative, and international trade, delivering exceptional sector knowledge and insights.
Our vision is to be the most human law firm, creating an inspirational culture where everyone feels motivated, valued and empowered. The firm’s nearly 300-year history is a testament to our long-standing pursuit of service excellence and our trusted, personal approach founded on deeply held values and technical expertise.
Many clients tell us that our openness, clarity and strong emphasis on communication are the reasons they choose to work with us. We are proud to serve a diverse clientele, including multi-national corporations, public companies, financial institutions, private individuals, owner-managed businesses, and start-ups. We believe our culture and close working relationships are vital assets, and we are dedicated to maintaining these as we grow.
Our international focus is supported by strong links with law firms worldwide, providing our clients with a seamless service delivery anywhere in the world. As a member of Multilaw and the European Law Group, networks with representatives in over 100 countries, our lawyers play leading roles in various international bodies, ensuring you receive the best possible advice and support.
Our purpose and values
At Penningtons Manches Cooper, every one of us takes pride in delivering a top-quality service. We never forget that our clients are people – whether you require legal assistance as an individual in a private capacity, or are part of a large organization, our focus is on the most positive outcome for you.
We care
We believe it is essential to show respect to our clients, as well as our colleagues and peers. It is a key ingredient in ensuring that everyone is treated at all times as a person rather than a ‘number’. We pride ourselves on our professionalism and expertise, but at the same time we understand that the importance of care cannot be overstated.
We are curious and grounded
Our people are not focused simply on one small area of expertise. We have an appetite for knowledge, in work and in our personal lives. Taking a wider view of the legal profession and the world as a whole enables us to be accessible and approachable. Curiosity also drives us to spend time with our clients, getting to know them as people, and looking beyond the obvious solution to any issue.
We are stronger as one
Authentic collaboration is key to our success in delivering the best real-world outcomes to our clients. Working in a cross-disciplinary manner with no boundaries ensures we share our individual and collective knowledge. Around these principles, we value diverse experiences and approaches. Our people bring different perspectives to decision-making, which ensures a more insightful service for you.
We are constructively challenging
Nobody rests on their laurels within our team. We understand that the process of building a great law firm that delivers outstanding service allows no room for complacency. We constantly question ourselves, and the way we do things. We are always looking for the best outcome.
We are proactively evolving
Standing still is the same as slipping backwards. We overcome challenges only if we keep moving forwards. If this means changing things that work before they stop working, so be it. The world is always moving and we gladly move with it.
Responsible business
We believe responsible business means making a meaningful impact beyond legal advice. From pro bono work and volunteering to environmental initiatives and community partnerships, we’re proud of the difference our people make every day. Find out how we’re supporting our communities, championing access to justice, and working with clients to create lasting social value.
Client experience
Whether you need support in a business or personal capacity, our goal is to achieve a genuinely positive result for you through an exceptional client experience. We continually invest in our people and enhance our expertise to stay at the forefront of legal and market developments – ensuring you receive tailored, cost-effective legal services that meet your needs.
Clear and responsive communication is central to how we work. We take time to understand your concern, priorities, and desired outcomes, and we ensure your matters are resourced appropriately – with a partner overseeing the work, a dedicated day-to-day contact, and additional support as needed. Once we establish your preferred communication methods and reporting frequency, we remain accessible and responsive across your chosen channels.
We are proud to be certified to the BS EN ISO 9001:2015 standard across all UK offices, reflecting our commitment to quality and continuous improvement. Our quality management system helps us consistently meet client requirements and enhance performance through regular external assessment and feedback.
Our leadership
Our leadership structure consists of a series of boards that meet regularly to guide the direction and development of our practice. They are made up of individuals with extensive experience and varied professional backgrounds, bringing a broad and balanced range of perspectives to our decision-making.
Our history
For over 300 years, we’ve grown and adapted, combining complementary strengths and sector expertise from a number of practices with deep roots in the legal profession. This rich heritage continues to shape how we work today, enabling us to deliver trusted, high-quality legal advice at home and worldwide.
Latest firm news
Read more about key initiatives, recognition and appointments across our firmwide team.