What people say about us

Penningtons Manches LLP’s client list includes Levi Roots and All Saints. Recent highlights include advising Leon Restaurants on licencing and franchising issues, and assisting RocketSpace, a technology incubator for Uber and Spotify, in expanding its presence in the UK. Anna Frankum, who primarily focuses on non-contentious IP, is ‘highly professional’ and ‘efficient’.

Alex Fox is also a key contact.

Trade mark specialist Gavin Stenton handled several mandates for Oxford United FC. Life sciences, engineering and publishing sector expert Chris Shelley jointly heads the practice with London-based Anna Frankum, and advised Chronos Therapeutics on buying three pre-clinical programmes from a subsidiary of Shire.

Joanne Vengadesan, who splits her time between Basingstoke and Reading, is also highly regarded, as is associate Holly Strube.

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition

‘Penningtons’ team has extensive experience in both contentious and non-contentious sides. They always try to come up with the most cost and time-effective solutions for the clients. The team is very proactive and also has deep technical knowledge, and that is where they win.’

‘Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is excellent mostly for its personal and client-oriented approach and high level of professionalism.’

‘PMC provides high quality prosecution and infringement advice. PMC is always considering the real world consequences of filing decisions and how filing strategies can be employed in infringement disputes.’ 

‘Daniel Berry provides magic circle advice without the associated fees. His advice is extremely detailed and easy to present to clients.’

‘Rachel Bradley has significant expertise in our industry field, and has supported us closely over the last few years as our need for robust and legally sound commercial agreements has grown.’

‘Anna Frankum is incredibly knowledgeable but also kind, friendly and supportive.’ 

‘Chris Shelley. Dependable and unflappable. Excellent at dealing with the detail without losing sight of the overall commercial aims of the transaction.’

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has particular experience in trade mark and design rights matters, with clients spanning the technology, retail, consumer goods, food and drink, and education sectors. Anna Frankum and dual-qualified solicitor and trade mark attorney Christopher Shelley jointly lead the team. Frankum focuses on non-contentious matters, while Shelley has experience across the full range of trade mark, design and brand protection matters. Alexander Fox is a name to note for IP disputes in the technology, manufacturing and retail sectors.

Rachel Bradley [in Cambridge] has more than 13 years' experience in the publishing and life sciences sectors, and handles a range of non-contentious IP matters including trade mark, patent, know-how and copyright licences for the publishing industry, as well as software licences.

The team in Oxford is also noted for its work on software licensing and data protection where Joanne Vengadesan is the key contact. Practice head Christopher Shelley is notable for his work with universities and their spin-out companies, while senior associate Holly Strube is also a key team member.

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

Chris Shelley in Oxford and the London-based Anna Frankum oversee the IP offering at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, They handle a broad range of matters covering patent licensing and passing-off, design and rights issues. On the contentious side, the firm has a strong record of work on cross-border contract disputes. Daniel Berry is known for anti-counterfeiting advice while Joanne Vengadesan is particularly strong in software matters. Holly Strube specialises in brand protection.

Anna Frankum is calm, authoritative and sound in her advice.

Joanne Vengadesan is an extremely capable, intelligent and warm person and makes you feel valued as a client.

Rachel Bradley explains things well and asks the right questions. She communicates clearly by email and on the phone and delivers on promises. She is personable and patient.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP handles transactional IP matters, brand management and enforcement actions before the UKIPO. The team is jointly led by the 'approachable, pragmatic and very knowledgeable' Anna Frankum in London and Chris Shelley in Oxford, whose extensive client lists cover the full spectrum of sectors.

In Reading, Joanne Vengadesan has a strong reputation in the tech sector and also handles GDPR compliance issues, while Daniel Berry's practice spans contentious and non-contentious issues. Oxford-based Holly Strube is recommended for brand protection issues in the retail, fashion and sports sectors.

‘Rachel Bradley has expertise in structuring supplier services agreements.’

‘Natasha Bowyer Irvine showed the dedication to include multiple features to a new agreement template.’

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

Strengths: A client says: ‘One of the go-to law firms for the biomedical community in the Oxford-Cambridge-London 'golden triangle'.’

Notable practitioners
Joanne Vengadesan is an intellectual property and IT specialist with particular expertise in software licensing, data rights and brand protection.

Rachel Bradley offers expertise in a broad range of IP matters, including matters relating to copyrights, licensing agreements and IP contracts. Her clients come from the life sciences, publishing and IT sectors.

Chris Shelley is commended for his expertise in spin-out, collaboration and licensing transactions in the university, life sciences and technology sectors.

Chambers UK - 2022 edition

Since opening the company in 2007, Gordon Murray Design has used the services of the Penningtons Manches IP team extensively. Both Anna Frankum and Joanne Vengadesan have become very much part of our team. The legal, practical, commercial and incredibly honest approach they have is fundamental to our strength and flexibility in securing solid win-win contracts with new and existing clients. The relationship we have with Penningtons Manches is critical to our continued success and without this level of service and advice we would certainly not be where we are today.

Huw Owen, Managing director, Gordon Murray Design Limited

Forensic Archive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Home Office, manages a number of intellectual property portfolios relating to forensic science services on behalf of the UK Government. Penningtons Manches advises us on IP and commercial matters, and in particular we have worked with Hamish Corner for many years. Their team understands the environment in which we operate - they are knowledgeable in this area of law, and pragmatic and business-oriented in their approach.

Alison Fendle, Executive director, Forensic Archive Limited

Amadeus Software approached Penningtons Manches for the first time in 2013 and has been extremely pleased with the quality and level of service. We wanted advice on the intellectual property contained in the SAS consultancy and training work that we do. Here at last we have found solicitors who respond quickly, who have extensive legal knowledge of the IT industry, and who produce high quality results on time and within the estimates originally quoted.

Daniel Morris, Director, Amadeus Software Limited

With the successful launch of our ECLIPSE software suite, it was important to feel confident that we had a professional software licence agreement which was clear to the customer and minimised the exposure to Sapienza. Penningtons Manches made the process straightforward, giving pro-active advice in order to achieve the best approach for our business model.

Mike Bearman, Managing director, Sapienza Consulting Limited

The Penningtons Manches team has supported us for several years, drafting our template contracts for the supply of IT services (development, support, hosting) as well as helping us to review customer terms. We have always found them to be highly professional, reliable and thorough. Communication is easy and efficient and they respond quickly with clear advice.

Paul Spearman, Director, 3chillies Limited

Strengths: ‘They explain complex and sophisticated matters with clarity. The firm's service levels are also consistently high, as is the responsiveness.’

‘The team is always very reactive and able to anticipate problems.’

Notable practitioners

George Mingay: ‘George has considerable experience in international trade and shipping matters. He's also able to see the big picture and advise clients accordingly.’

Chambers UK - 2023 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has ‘a wealth of knowledge in the soft commodities market‘. The firm provides ‘good, strong and professional advice after weighing up all options‘. George Mingay (who is ‘always willing to discuss and explain situations in an easy friendly way‘) and Mark Sachs lead the international trade and commodities practice, which acts for a diverse roster of clients. Its work spans soft commodity, metals, mining, oil and gas, and trade finance cases. Mingay chairs the Arbitration and Mediation Committee of the MMTA; Sachs is fluent in Mandarin and frequently handles arbitrations in London, Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Stockholm.

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has built an international trade and commodities group that acts for clients across the supply chain including producers, trading companies, banks and end users. Practice heads George Mingay (who has 'a level-headed approach to litigation and arbitration') and Mark Sachs, along with key partner Lisa Hillary, work closely with the firm's shipping and trade finance groups, as well as specialists in the firm's offices in Singapore, Paris and Madrid. Their work covers soft commodities, metals, mining and oil and gas matters, with Mingay particularly prominent in sugar disputes.

The team is very ready to roll up their sleeves and get into the detail. It is adept at handling technically complex problems and developing pragmatic solutions. It has a very thorough understanding of the commodities business.

George Mingay has always been fully engaged, always available and anticipated issues excellently, as well as clearly being extremely knowledgeable in all matters of the process. George is excellent at explaining detailed legal process in a very accessible way.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

The international trade and commodities group at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is heavily involved in cases concerning soft commodities, metals, mining, oil and gas and trade finance. The firm acts across the supply chain, from producers through to trading companies and end-users, though it is particularly focused on acting for trading companies and financing banks. George Mingay (who is 'measured, thoughtful and calm under pressure') and Mark Sachs jointly lead the 'quick, practical and knowledgeable' team, in which key partner Lisa Hillary plays a central role.

‘Highly professional and experienced people, able to understand and analyse quickly the problem, providing replies without losing time with details, going straight to the point, anticipating issues which may be raised by counterparties, with the ability to clearly explain complex matters involving various different jurisdictions, and able to work under pressure remaining calm.’

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

Strengths: ‘The team are excellent and extremely efficient,’ says a client.

Another reports: ‘Penningtons Manches Cooper were excellent and I was impressed by the depth of their expertise.’

Sources say: ‘They are highly professional, remain calm in all circumstances and smooth with clients. They are didactic and explain legal mechanisms whilst remaining focused on essentials and getting straight to the point.’

Notable practitioners
George Mingay demonstrates deep knowledge of the physical commodities space. He regularly advises clients on disputes, with experience advising on arbitrations.

‘George Mingay has technical expertise, is very commercial and can distil information well.’ ‘He is extremely fast with a wide-ranging knowledge of law.’

Darryl Kennard: ‘He is very good dealing with complex matters and is very easy to communicate with. He knows the market, is very proactive and finds a solution quickly.’

Chambers UK - 2022 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a firm that is highly attuned to the logistics of shipping and trade, thanks to its specialist focus on those areas. Its trade finance practice comprises a small, hands-on team that handles bespoke deals requiring a high level of technical knowledge and experience in the sale, transport and insurance of commodities. Grant Eldred leads the practice, in which contentious and transactional matters are handled by an integrated group. Eldred specialises in banking law including bilateral and syndicated secured and unsecured lending, trade finance and banking regulation and compliance. Lisa Hillary handles disputes arising under sale contracts, charterparties and bills of lading as well as the international trade of commodities and marine insurance, and George Mingay is recommended for disputes within the commodities sector relating to oil and gas, metals and mining, and soft commodities.

The international trade and commodities group is well known for its sector expertise and its diverse client base. The firm has long-standing relationships with the key trade associations and frequently handles Grain and Feed Trade Association and Federation of Oils, Seeds and Fats Associations arbitrations. It is also now legal adviser to the Refined Sugar Association. Practice heads George Mingay, Mark Sachs and Lisa Hillary work closely with the firm's shipping and trade finance practices, as well as teams in Singapore and Brazil, which are key hubs for the commodities industry. Mingay focuses predominantly on matters in the sugar market, while Sachs frequently handles arbitrations involving Chinese entities and commodity derivatives.

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

Impressive IP practice acting for life sciences businesses, universities and their spin-offs and also leading fashion, media and retail brands. Recommended for litigation as well as licence and research agreements.

Strengths: 'Experienced people with great knowledge, who are commercial and understand the technology market very well and execute deals efficiently.'

'They have been responsive, helpful and a pleasure to work with.'

Notable practitioners  

Chris Shelley specialises in complex licence agreements and acts for pioneers in life sciences and technology. Clients say: 'He has a brilliant grasp of commercial IP matters.'

Rachael Barber is highly regarded by leading fashion and retail brands for her handling of infringement disputes. A source notes: 'She is one of the best litigators I have come across - experienced, knowledgeable and she always takes account of the commercial considerations.'

Joanne Vengadesan is recommended for software licensing, database rights agreements and brand protection. Clients say: ‘She is an excellent negotiator and easy to work with.’

Chambers UK - 2017 edition

Strengths: A client says: ‘One of their strong points is their understanding of our company's strengths and weaknesses, and the positions taken by the directors.’

Notable practitioners
Chris Shelley is a respected figure in the universities, research institutions and spin-outs world, and is regularly called on to negotiate complex licensing and collaboration agreements across jurisdictions. A client says: ‘He is a good person to have on your team when the other side are being picky and difficult.’

Joanne Vengadesan advises on software licensing, database rights agreements and trade marks. Clients appreciate her ‘solid background in technology matters.’

Chambers UK - 2019 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP continues to advise All Saints Retail on the protection of individual designs, trade marks and copyrights. Key figures include Anna Frankum and Lesley Hall, who focus on commercial matters, and litigator Alex Fox.

Penningtons Manches LLP’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 trade mark and copyright infringement issues.

The Legal 500 - 2016 edition