She also advises trade associations and arbitral bodies with interests in the sector. Acting in relation to the trade of tangible goods and futures, as well as underlying financial instruments such as letters of credit and guarantees, Julia is involved across energy, metal and minerals, and agricultural commodities encompassing both contentious and non-contentious matters, including regulatory issues and substantial civil frauds. Her recent caseload has involved underlying trades of coal, petroleum products, metals, cocoa, coffee and sugar.

With extensive experience of litigation in the English courts including complex multi-party proceedings in the Commercial Court, Julia is also experienced in the conduct of arbitration under international, trade and maritime rules, including those of the London Court of International Arbitration, The London Maritime Arbitrators Association, the Grain and Feed Trade Association and Sugar Association of London. She is regularly involved in multi-jurisdictional disputes. Julia read history at University College London, and has a master’s degree in shipping and international trade law.

Her experience extends to working on naval architecture cases and insurance and reinsurance litigation, especially in yachting. Prior to joining the firm, she gained experience in commercial litigation and international arbitration (commercial and investor-state) through internships in various law firms with practice areas that included shipping, construction, mining and oil and gas exploitation. Midred now regularly assists clients in amicable and court-led surveys in shipping, insurance and naval architecture disputes.

She has a master’s degree in international economic law from Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne and qualified as a French avocat at the Paris Bar in 2023. Midred joined Penningtons Manches Cooper in late 2023 after her admission to the Bar. She is a French native speaker and works in both French and English.

His practice covers drafting and advising on supply and distribution contracts, logistics and warehousing agreements, outsourcing agreements in the financial services sector, manufacturing agreements, agency and introducer agreements, IP licences, platform and website terms and conditions, IT and software agreements, and general terms and conditions to govern the supply of goods or services.

Louis’ experience includes working with a wide variety of clients on projects such as digital transformation, long-term supply and purchasing agreements, contract manufacture agreements, logistics and warehousing agreements, outsourcing and intra-group arrangements. He also regularly advises on supply chain issues as well as cyber security and data protection.

Having joined the firm as a trainee in 2021, Louis qualified as a solicitor in 2023. Prior to his training contract he obtained his undergraduate degree in history and theology from the University of St Andrews, before completing the GDL and LPC.

He  has acted for a variety of clients including investors, developers, contractors, local authorities, social housing associations and private individuals. Jonny regularly assists clients in the industrial and logistics, housing and commercial real estate sectors. He has advised on and negotiated a large range of industry standard building contracts (including JCT, NEC, MF/1, RIBA), professional appointments, collateral warranties, agreements for lease and development agreements.

Jonny also has significant experience in Building Safety Fund and Cladding Safety Scheme funded cladding remediation projects across both higher-risk and non-higher risk buildings. He has acted for a number of investor clients on the construction aspects of development finance agreements and sale agreements. Having previously worked at a leading firm in Guildford, and on secondment with an in-house legal team at a Mayfair real estate investment firm, Jonny joined Penningtons Manches Cooper in January 2024.

In particular, Josh has experience in providing international tax and cross-border estate planning and succession advice for clients with overseas assets and offshore trust structures, as well as for clients who are looking to move to or from the UK. He works with a number of jurisdictions including the US, the UAE and numerous European jurisdictions. He also advises on wills, trusts, succession planning, administration of estates and lasting powers of attorney.

Josh joined Penningtons Manches Cooper in 2024, having previously trained and worked in another award-winning City private client team for a number of years. He completed his law degree at the University of Bristol and his LPC at the University of Law in Guildford. Josh is a member of STEP, the world’s leading organisation for private wealth professionals, and is currently studying for the STEP diploma with a focus on international tax and high net worth individuals.

She is experienced in employment litigation and negotiating settlements consisting of financial and non-financial settlements in order to meet clients’ aims and objectives. Sonia also deals with civil claims relating to employment matters such as under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, misfeasance in a public office, and statutory debt claims. In addition, she advises on matters under the Police Regulations that relate to pay and pension.

Sonia was featured as ‘The Times Lawyer of the Week’ in September 2023 and was also ‘Highly Recommended’ in the ‘Rising Star – Large Firm’ category at the Women and Diversity Law Awards in March 2024. She qualified as a solicitor in 2018, joined the firm in 2020, and is a member of the firm’s race and faith committee.

A significant number of Sarah’s cases involve complex financial disputes with an international element. She has experience in the enforcement of financial remedy orders where one party fails to comply, including those involving the non-disclosure of assets. She has an understanding of LGBTQ+ family issues, including international and domestic surrogacy. While Sarah has a growing experience of litigation at all levels, including in highly contested court proceedings in the Court of Appeal and High Court, she is also committed to working with clients out of court to constructively resolve matters where appropriate.

In April 2022, Sarah was mentioned in The Times following her success in issuing the first no fault divorce application in England and Wales. She is a member of Women in Sport Law and part of the firm’s sport and entertainment group. She has a keen interest in promoting the firm’s global offering for sports individuals and athletes.

Sarah qualified as a solicitor in September 2023 after training at Penningtons Manches Cooper. Prior to joining the firm, she worked in clinical psychology as an honorary assistant. Sarah studied psychology at The University of Edinburgh, before completing the Graduate Diploma in Law at City, University of London and graduated from the Legal Practice Course at BPP University with distinction. She is a member of Resolution, an organisation which promotes a constructive approach to resolving family law matters, and a member of the Society of Scottish Lawyers in London.

She is a member of Resolution, an organisation for family lawyers and other professionals committed to constructive resolution of family disputes. She also plays an active role in the Guildford office charity committee, the firm’s LGBTQIA+ committee and is a mentor for aspiring law students. She previously worked at a children’s home for two and a half years.

Having spent a year with the family team in Guildford during her training contract at Penningtons Manches Cooper, Jess qualified as a solicitor in March 2023. Prior to this, she obtained a first-class degree from the University of Exeter and a distinction in her Legal Practice Course at BPP University Law School.