Jake Watts
Associate
Jake is an associate in the commercial, IP and IT team, in London. He assists corporate and life sciences clients on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Jake is a member of the firm’s life sciences and technology sector groups.
His contentious work focuses on disputes concerning trade marks, patents, copyright and confidential information. Jake has advised clients on claims before the Patents Court, Intellectual Property and Enterprise Court, the Competition Appeal Tribunal, and in registry proceedings at the UKIPO and EUIPO.
I’m passionate about supporting clients who are shaping the future through their groundbreaking inventions, creative and innovative branding, or use of transformative AI technologies. I enjoy analysing complex issues and developing strategies that help our team deliver the best results for our clients, whether in their commercial dealings or in court proceedings.
He also has experience advising life sciences clients in relation to the UK pharmaceutical regulatory landscape, clinical trial agreements, and collaboration agreements. Jake has helped commercial clients navigate data protection issues and regulatory compliance. Starting at the firm as a trainee in 2023, he joined the commercial, IP and IT team as an associate in 2025. He holds a BA, MSc and PhD in politics. Jake passed his Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course with distinction. Prior to entering the legal profession, he worked in the higher education sector as an academic and in research project management.
Recent work highlights
Perindopril damages litigation
Veterinary pharmaceutical patent
Cannabis trade mark
Fintech trade mark
Biotech company agreements
Confidential information dispute
What people are saying
Penningtons Manches Cooper stands out for its combination of deep sector expertise, international reach, and client-focused innovation, offering tailored legal solutions with a strong emphasis on collaboration, technology, and flexible service delivery.
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Caitlin Thomson
Associate
Caitlin is an associate in the employment team, based in the London office. She works with a variety of clients including individuals, staff associations and their members, educational institutions and corporations, advising on a broad range of employment law matters.
She has experience in both contentious and non-contentious matters, and has worked on Employment Tribunal cases involving discrimination, unfair dismissal and whistleblowing claims. She additionally provides general HR support, including advice on disciplinary and grievance issues, termination of employment, company polices, the enforceability of restrictive covenants and other contractual issues to a variety of clients.
I provide advice to clients on a variety of contentious and non-contentious employment issues. I am fascinated by the ever-changing nature of employment law, and I enjoy working out what is best for our clients, and how I can help them achieve their aims.
Caitlin also advises on the drafting and negotiation of employment contracts and settlement agreements, and has assisted a number of clients on their response to data subject access requests.
She qualified in 2025, having joined the firm as a trainee solicitor in 2023. Prior to this, she graduated from the University of Nottingham and spent a year studying in Australia. She is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association as well as the firm’s LGBTQIA+ committee.
Recent work highlights
HR handbook policies
Settlement agreements
Employment Tribunal claims
What people are saying
They are a great firm with great people. The lawyers have good knowledge and can ask the right questions.
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Oliver Shapley
Tax & Accounts Manager (Non-Solicitor)

Oliver Shapley
Tax & Accounts Manager (Non-Solicitor)
Services
Private client and tax
Sectors
Private wealth
Oliver is a tax and accounts manager within the private client team, specialising in providing comprehensive tax and accounting services for trusts, estates, companies and individuals. With expertise in self-assessment tax compliance, he ensures that clients meet their obligations, offering tailored solutions for a variety of complex tax matters.
As a qualified member of the Association of Taxation Technicians, Oliver stays up to date with evolving tax law and regulations to provide the best possible service to clients. He is committed to delivering clear, strategic and practical advice to support clients in achieving their objectives.
I take pride in providing clear, precise and practical tax advice, tailored to each client’s unique situation. With strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to problem solving, I aim to make complex tax matters easy to understand and manage, ensuring that clients feel confident and supported throughout the process.
With a strong focus on capital gains tax (CGT), Oliver advises on CGT planning and compliance, guiding clients through the process of disposing of UK residential property in the most tax efficient way. He also provides clients with detailed inheritance tax guidance, advising on effective strategies to minimise its impact. In addition, Oliver manages the preparation of trust, estate and company accounts, ensuring accuracy and adherence to regulatory standards.
Recent work highlights
CGT on property disposal
Trustee tax obligations
Estate administration tax compliance
Tax compliance in liquidation
Discretionary trust tax compliance
HMRC tax appeals
Divorce settlement planning
Non-resident corporation tax
Divorce settlement planning
Non-resident corporation tax
What people are saying
A high quality team delivering real world advice.
Madeleine Swanepoel
Trusts & Tax Manager (Non-Solicitor)

Madeleine Swanepoel
Trusts & Tax Manager (Non-Solicitor)
Services
Private client and tax
Sectors
Private wealth
Madeleine is a trusts and tax manager within the tax compliance team, bringing over eight years of experience in private wealth from top tier firms. She is an LLB graduate in law and a member of STEP, the world’s leading organisation for private wealth professionals.
Specialising in providing detailed, thorough, and comprehensible tax advice, Madeleine assists UK resident and non-UK resident individuals, trustees, and executors with a wide range of complex UK tax compliance matters, including income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax. She adheres strictly to UK tax legislation.
I am committed to ensuring that every client feels confident in my professional care. My aim is to alleviate stress and deliver exceptional service, prioritising clients’ best interests by developing strong working relationships and providing clear tax advice.
Madeleine focuses on delivering tax advice tailored to her clients’ needs, managing the preparation of annual self-assessment tax returns, estate and trust accounts, and 60-day capital gains tax on UK property. Her expertise includes assisting with complex historic accounting for individuals, preparing and submitting tax disclosures to HM Revenue and Customs and settling tax enquiries and penalties issued. She ensures that clients receive the highest standard of service, navigating intricate tax issues and alleviating stress in order to achieve the best outcomes.
Recent work highlights
Tax on gifted property
Undeclared trade income
Indirect property disposal
Lifetime CGT position
Non-qualifying IIP trust
Transfer of matrimonial home
Non-resident landlords
Non-resident landlords
What people are saying
Thank you very much for all your careful and clear work.
A huge thank you for all your wonderful help in getting this resolved.
I appreciate the clear explanation of the process.
Will Bell
Associate
Services
Private client and tax
Sectors
Private wealth
Will is an associate in the private client and tax team, based in the London office. He assists with a wide range of private client matters, including wills, lasting powers of attorney, trusts, tax advisory, estate planning and administration.
With a particular focus on matters with a cross-border or multi-jurisdictional element, both onshore and offshore, Will regularly advises UK-US connected clients. He is an affiliate member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the world’s leading organisation for private wealth professionals, and is currently in the process of obtaining his STEP diploma in order to become a full STEP member.
I am a specialist international private client lawyer who advises clients on their existing exposure to UK tax. I then guide them on the most efficient ways to mitigate their UK tax exposure, helping them to achieve the outcomes they require.
Will joined the firm in May 2025, having previously completed his training contract and qualifying in 2023 in the London office of another top 50 UK law firm. Prior to this, he graduated with a 2:1 from the University of Bristol in 2019, where he read ancient history. Will then completed his Graduate Diploma in Law, and the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law, obtaining a distinction.
Recent work highlights
Cross-border estate
Bespoke documents for HNW individuals
Offshore trust companies
Non-UK resident tax advice
Advice for Australian resident trustees
US revocable living trust
UK tax consequences for US irrevocable trust
Tax residency advice
UK tax consequences for US irrevocable trust
Tax residency advice
What people are saying
Penningtons provided excellent service throughout the matter, with prompt and courteous responses that were always clear and easy to understand.
Sarah Matthew
Associate
Sarah is an associate in the housing team, based in the Basingstoke office. She has a varied background in residential property development work, with over 10 years’ experience in the sector.
She acts for registered providers, local authorities, SMEs and national housebuilders, across all aspects of new build conveyancing. Sarah has a particular specialism in legal site set ups on new developments, dealing with the associated infrastructure agreements, and carrying a caseload of both shared ownership and open market plot sales, from reservation through to completion. She provides a down to earth and friendly approach to her clients and strives to achieve excellent results.
My focus is always on my clients – I pride myself on providing clear advice, managing expectations with honesty, and working hard to achieve the best possible outcome. My aim is to ensure my clients’ transactions go as smoothly as possible, and are delivered in a straightforward and friendly way.
Sarah qualified as a chartered legal executive in 2022, received a commendation in her LPC from the College of Law (Bloomsbury), and dual-qualified as a solicitor in 2023. She has been awarded CQS Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation for 2025 by The Law Society, which is an award that recognises a quality standard for residential conveyancing practices.
Recent work highlights
New Homes Quality Code advice
Housing association site set ups
Financial success for housebuilders
What people are saying
We’re very happy working with the Penningtons team. They are great at understanding what we want, identifying any issues and, importantly, providing solutions.
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Priscilla Oronsaye
Associate
Priscilla is a restructuring and insolvency lawyer in the London commercial dispute resolution team. Drawing on her background at a leading insolvency practice, she offers a distinctive blend of legal knowledge and commercial awareness. This experience has enabled her to develop a holistic understanding of the pressures faced by companies, insolvency practitioners and individuals navigating challenging financial circumstances.
With a practice that encompasses a broad range of insolvency and restructuring matters, Priscilla advises on administrations and liquidations. She also assists directors in contentious situations, offering strategic guidance on potential liability issues and duties, as well as negotiating settlements to mitigate personal risks. By working closely with insolvency practitioners, she is well-versed in managing complex disputes efficiently and effectively. In addition to her legal practice, Priscilla has contributed to matters impacting the charity and education sectors, leveraging her expertise to support community development and educational programmes, underscoring her dedication to making a positive impact beyond the commercial sphere.
Drawing on prior experience at a leading insolvency practice, I provide pragmatic, empathetic guidance in administrations, liquidations, and director duties. My personable approach, thorough research, and strategic insights help clients navigate challenging circumstances confidently.
As a junior lawyer, Priscilla is committed to delivering tailored solutions and practical advice to her clients. She prides herself on her meticulous approach to legal research and her ability to distil intricate regulations into actionable strategies. Her proactive mindset ensures she remains current with legislative developments, allowing her to identify innovative pathways for clients seeking to stabilise or reorganise their businesses.
With a focus on building strong client relationships, Priscilla approaches each matter with empathy and clear communication. Her drive to achieve the best possible outcomes is grounded in her commitment to protecting clients’ interests, fostering trust, and promoting sustainable restructuring solutions.
Recent work highlights
Directors’ statutory duties
Misfeasance claims
Directors’ loans
What people are saying
Penningtons provides a truly 360-degree service that considers all commercial and regulatory aspects. Strength in depth and a fantastic practice. A brilliant team.
Jordan Ball
Associate
Services
Construction
Sectors
Real estate
Jordan is an associate (qualified in Australia) in the construction and infrastructure team in London, specialising in construction and associated insurance disputes. He regularly acts on behalf of property owners, developers, contractors, professionals and their insurers.
He is experienced in advising his clients about a variety of claims including professional negligence, defect issues, property damage and subrogated recoveries. Jordan also has a strong interest in advising on insurance coverage issues in the construction space. He has experience in a variety of dispute resolution forums including the TCC, Commercial Court, arbitration, and in the application of alternative dispute resolution practices and the opportunities that they present for resolution of his clients’ disputes.
My clients value my attention to detail and ability to get to grips with the technical issues that lie at the heart of their matters. I enjoy learning the intricacies of the problems my clients are faced with and applying that understanding to ensure my advice is pragmatic and targeted at achieving the best possible outcome.
Having acted for and against various stakeholders in the construction industry, he has developed an awareness of the commercial priorities of both his clients and their opponents. Jordan applies this understanding to provide pragmatic advice directed at achieving timely and cost-effective outcomes for his matters.
Recent work highlights
Coverage counsel role
Fire safety and structural defects
Water ingress dispute
What people are saying
Outstanding expertise in the field of construction and professional negligence cases involving construction professionals. Very strong team, excellent work ethic and a pleasure to work with.
James Ball
Associate
James is an associate in the immigration team. He focuses on advising the financial services, technology, manufacturing, and energy sectors on UK immigration law compliance and visas for their human capital.
His key clients sit within the private equity and asset management space, as well as the UK’s tech sector, in areas as diverse as generative AI, advanced manufacturing, software development and user digital experience. James also provides personal immigration advice to private clients in the areas of British nationality, settlement, and family visas, as well as visits to the UK for both business and tourism.
I am an all-round immigration solicitor, concentrating on UK immigration compliance and work visas, with a track record of successful litigation of complex matters when required, both in the High Court and First-tier and Upper Tribunals.
James is also highly experienced in litigating complex appeals via the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal in the event that such legal recourse is required, as well as in bringing judicial review proceedings via the High Court in the event of unlawful decision making by public authority. James has six years’ post qualified experience as a specialised immigration solicitor, and has worked for the last 10 years exclusively within UK immigration law practices that are highly ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers.
Recent work highlights
M&A advisory sponsor licence
CEO entry approval
Sponsor licence approval
Global Talent visa
What people are saying
James Ball was really great to work with. He provided all timely updates and even coordinated with UKVI to internally escalate matters when we were not getting a timely response.
Jack Sole
Associate
Jack is an associate, and chartered legal executive, in the Court of Protection team, based in the firm’s Basingstoke office. He specialises in assisting vulnerable persons with the management of their financial affairs through property and affairs deputyships and personal injury trusts.
He also has experience with the implementation of statutory wills for individuals who lack testamentary capacity and therefore cannot execute their own will. Jack believes in working closely with clients and their families to provide a caring yet efficient service, appreciating the importance of a positive working relationship when it comes to such a personal area of law. He regularly works alongside professionals such as case managers and therapists to ensure that clients feel valued and receive the correct level of support to meet their needs.
Care, courtesy and consideration. Court of Protection can be a very emotionally charged area of law, so I feel it is very important that the client be at the centre of everything we do.
Jack has a great deal of experience working alongside litigation solicitors to ensure the proper progression of an individual’s medical negligence or personal injury claim. He qualified as a chartered legal executive in June 2021 and has over 10 years’ experience working in the field of Court of Protection.
Recent work highlights
Support for brain injured adults
Care payment approval
Deputyship discharge
What people are saying
Penningtons is extremely client-focused – they go above and beyond to support their clients’ wellbeing and wishes.






