What people say about us

I very much appreciate the efforts you have gone to and the support you have given me along the way. I really want to thank you so much for all you have done - it has been a pleasure to work with you.  

Client MK

You couldn't have been more helpful, professional, positive, supportive and determined to achieve the best possible outcome and I feel very lucky to have had you working on my behalf.  

Client VC

As a group they transmit a very individual and bespoke approach to the client, raising well thought-out and practical comments.

Chambers UK

Always timely, thorough and well reasoned. Penningtons Manches Cooper provides high quality legal advice with efficiency and sensitivity.

Chambers UK

Pat Saini leads the immigration team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP. "She is absolutely brilliant, immensely responsive and has a very clear way of explaining issues," comments an interviewee; "she is very good at articulating and distilling what is important." Another source says: "She is very approachable, always accessible and is an authority on immigration."

Hazar El-Chamaa heads up the private wealth immigration offering of Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP. "She is very pragmatic and provides very straightforward advice," says a source. "She is super, I don't think I have met a lawyer like her ever before," confides another interviewee, who continues: "She is very good at her work and she takes pride in it. I don't have enough words of praise for Hazar."

Chambers High Net Worth - 2020 edition

Strengths: ‘Everyone on the team is helpful - they always have solutions and explain things in a very understandable way.’

‘The team is exceptional and has a very good understanding of immigration-related matters.’

‘Matters are handled in a very responsive and speedy manner, making the process seamless.’

Notable practitioners

‘Pat Saini has fantastic knowledge of the sector and is very hands-on.’

‘Hazar El-Chamaa has tremendous knowledge in the field, and is incredibly committed to helping clients.’

Chambers UK - 2023 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP fields a ‘very diligent and thorough’ immigration team, known for obtaining ‘the best possible outcome’ in difficult cases across the range of business and personal matters. Pat Saini leads the team. Also notable is the ‘truly excellent’ Hazar El-Chamaa, who, alongside her work heading up private wealth immigration and handling complex personal cases including nationality and EU work, currently sits as head of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association. Senior associate Meghan Vozila is noted for her broad practice acting for clients ranging from SMEs and high-net-worth individuals to multinationals, and associate Afeefah Shabbir is key to the firm’s corporate offering. 

‘We found Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP to be highly professional and reliable. All their advice was concise and clear, that led us to a good result.’

‘The lawyers in the team are all extremely knowledgeable which allows them to thoroughly assess a situation and provide top notch advice to clients.’

‘Hazar El-Chamaa is particularly special to work with. Very professional and confident. Very experienced and knowledgeable. Always happy to go the extra mile to make things happen.’

‘Pat Saini who leads the practice at Penningtons has done an excellent job. She is a strong leader with great communication skills.’

‘All members of the team are exceptional, particularly Pat Saini and Meghan Vozila. Both of these individuals are stars and can handle any immigration matter.’

‘Meghan Vozila and her team always were available and made sure I had quick answers to my many questions. Meghan especially was always diligent in getting back to me and she took time to deal with my issues.’

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

The immigration team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is led by the 'outstanding' Pat Saini, who also co-heads the firm's India group. The team has a well-established reputation as a strong choice for both business and individual clients; the firm’s private wealth immigration offering is led by the 'wonderful' Hazar El-Chamaa, who was recently elected as chair of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association. The team has recently been busy advising clients whose travel and work plans have been impacted by the global pandemic, as well as continuing to assist businesses with post-Brexit issues.

‘Pat Saini is an outstanding immigration lawyer. She was critical in making our transaction happen smoothly. Great knowledge, availability and ability to make things happen.’

‘Hazar El-Chamaa is wonderful and always ready to support any legal requirements, including effective delegations. Her standing within the immigration and residency legal profession has been exceptionally earned.’

‘I would like to highlight the efforts and detail oriented work of Meghan Vozila. Meghan has not only been involved in every detail of the procedure but has gone above and beyond in supporting the client.’

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

‘Penningtons is great at handling all UK immigration matters, including highly complex matters for high net worth clients,’ says a commentator. ‘The UK team is extraordinarily knowledgeable,’ comments a source, adding: ‘They are very on top of what is going on in the Home Office regarding immigration matters.’

Hazar El-Chamaa ‘handled my case superbly’, says a source, adding: ‘I highly recommend her.’ ‘Clients find her approachable, friendly and extremely knowledgeable,’ states another commentator, adding: ‘She always goes the extra mile.’

Pat Saini advises high net worth individuals on a range of immigration-related matters, and is described by a source as ‘amazing; one of the best in the field’. ‘Saini demonstrates huge humility and professionalism,’ remarks another. A market commentator states: ‘She is very knowledgeable, especially on the EU front.’

Chambers UK – 2022 edition

Penningtons is known for its breadth of services: the firm deals with high net worth individuals and corporate immigration; and has an unrivalled higher education practice.

Clients value the firm’s pragmatism: 'They are very realistic and have an integrity which has won them their reputation and means that they get listened to.'

Chambers UK - 2013 edition

They know the market very well and they have the right connections within businesses. From an immigration perspective, they're superb.

Client service: Penningtons remains fantastic. The team is down-to-earth and client-focused.

Notable practitioners

The 'savvy' Pat Saini is described as 'technically outstanding'. She excels at handling immigration matters for higher education institutions.

Chambers UK - 2014 edition

Strengths: 'They have an in-depth level of expertise and the service is good value for money.'

Work highlights: Advised Nativas UK on issues with branch sponsorship and an application for Highly Trusted Sponsor status.

Notable practitioners

Department head Pat Saini is praised by clients for her technical abilities and interpersonal skills. Sources consider her a 'shrewd negotiator who knows how to make hard points with flair'.

Significant clients: Tata, London Metropolitan University, Syndicate Bank, Glasgow Caledonian University, Infusion.

Chambers UK - 2015 edition

Well known for its expertise in the education sector but also provides wider commercial immigration advice to technology companies and other corporate clients. Expertise in policy and government relations with regard to visa and mobility issues.

Strengths: 'They are very impressive and real believers in our cause.'

'They are well organised, responsive and we have a good relationship with them.'

Notable practitioners

Pat Saini is primarily known for her Tier 4 expertise, which she deploys with assurance for the benefit of educational institutions. She is also highly recommended for advice on Tier 1 applications.

Chambers UK - 2016 edition

Continues to be known for its stellar work in the education sector, advising universities onsponsor licence issues and providing lobbying services. The team is able to utilise the firm's education, corporate and employment teams to provide a complete service to clients. 

Strengths: ‘The knowledge and information that they have is impressive. They are down to earth, with fantastic contacts in business.’ 

‘What is particularly beneficial is their networking ability. They also keep up to date not just with legal developments but political developments too.’ 

Notable practitioners
Pat Saini ‘is really strong in the technology sector’ and ‘extremely diligent,’ according to clients. She advises businesses and education clients on sponsor compliance, risk management and government lobbying.

Chambers UK - 2017 edition

Strengths: Sources say: ‘This firm combines its knowledge of the law and its implementation into practice very well, which is a very big plus.’

Interviewees value ‘the degree of knowledge, flexibility and understanding of our business.’

Notable practitioners
Pat Saini is described by clients as ‘very positive and always available’ and is praised for her ‘high degree of expertise and knowledge’. She advises an array of clients from the technology, education and entertainment sectors, among others, on the full spectrum of immigration issues.

Chambers UK - 2018 edition

Continues to be known for its stellar work in the education sector, advising a range of clients including universities, schools and other educational institutions on Brexit planning and sponsor licence issues. Also provides visa and immigration services to multinational corporations. The team is able to utilise the firm's education, corporate and employment teams to provide a complete service to clients. Notable expertise in relation to India, including advising large Indian companies on the transfer of sponsored employees to the UK.

Strengths: Sources say: 'They are incredibly knowledgeable about this area of law and always up to date on what's happening and what's going to happen.'

Notable practitioners
Head of the immigration team Pat Saini is adept at offering strategic immigration advice to education sector clients. Her advice to these clients is comprehensive, covering a broad range of issues including Brexit preparation, sponsor licence applications and audits. 'She is fantastic - she is super well connected and provides timely, concise and accessible advice.'

Chambers UK - 2021 edition

Pat Saini is a growing force in immigration law.

The Legal 500 - 2013 edition

Pat Saini, who displays a ‘high degree of professionalism and integrity', leads the ‘excellent' team at Penningtons Manches LLP. The firm acts for Navitas Holdings on sponsor licensing and risk-management issues, led by Saini, and Tier 4 compliance support and training.

Senior associate Duncan Bain assisted Collective Bias in relation to arrangements to allow a US executive to lead the new venture in the UK. New clients include Lee Housing Association and HELLO! magazine.

The Legal 500 - 2014 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP, which provides ‘clear and concise advice’, has strong credentials in the education sector, and is frequently instructed to handle crisis management issues. Individuals singled out in Pat Saini’s team include senior associates Penny Evans, who is ‘extremely knowledgeable’, and Hazar El-Chamaa.

Senior associate and former barrister Duncan Bain is the key figure at Penningtons Manches LLP; he has particular expertise in conducting immigration appeals against visa refusals, and advised on a number of Tier 1 applications and migrant right-to-work issues.

The Legal 500 - 2015 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP is ‘a very capable firm’ that provides ‘consistent and comprehensive advice’. The group, which is led by Pat Saini (who is noted for her ‘great depth of understanding’) acts for a broad range of clients in the technology, sports and entertainment sectors, and has seen an increase in instructions from clients in the education sector. Clients recommend Hazar El-Chamaa, who is now a partner, and non-practising associate director Penny Evans.

The Legal 500 - 2016 edition