What people say about us

“It was a pleasure to work with you, and thank you for making the whole process so effortless. Your calm approach and manner was very reassuring.”

“Bethan (Carr) made life a lot easier for us and provided us with much needed peace of mind during quite a stressful period. Thank you.”

“Bethan has outstanding professionalism, is proactive rather than reactive and provides a service that is responsive and friendly.”

‘Linzi Bull is a legal superstar. She is at the cutting edge of interesting family law work, as her cases often involve complex jurisdictional issues (both in matrimonial finance and in private law children work). She is an expert in fertility and surrogacy matters.’

‘Henderson, 'a rising star', has been particularly active in matters involving surrogacy.’

The Legal 500 – 2021 edition

Highly responsive; giving clients clear and realistic advice.

Chambers UK – 2012 edition

They recommend proportionate, focused and cost-effective solutions … The work is always timely, thorough and well reasoned.

Chambers UK - 2014 edition

National firm able to draw on an increasing global presence when acting for a national and international client base. Notable expertise in acting for local high-growth and technology companies in overseas investment matters.

Solid capabilities on venture capital work in the technology and life sciences sectors. Strong track record in advising investees, with a growing investor-side practice.

Chambers UK - 2017 edition

Strong corporate practice acting for clients from a range of sectors such as technology and life sciences.

Impressive IP practice acting for life sciences and tech sector businesses,

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

Notable practitioners
William Axtell advises corporate clients on transactional matters, often with an international element.

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

David Tighe handles tech sector mergers and acquisitions for clients including private equity and venture capital funds. He regularly handles cross-border M&A work.

Joanne Vengadesan: ‘Joanne is a very strong and well-respected lawyer.’

Chambers UK - 2022 edition

Offers an impressive national and international network to clients, including a wide range of early-stage growth and start-up companies, along with significant expertise in venture capital investment matters. 

Strong sector expertise in the tech and life sciences spheres among other areas.

Impressive IP practice acting for life sciences and tech sector businesses, universities and their spin-offs. Comes recommended for litigation, as well as licence and research agreements.

Strong team well versed in both contentious and non-contentious IT work, standing out in particular for complex and high-value transactions. Noted for expertise on hi-tech manufacturing agreements.

Notable practitioners
William Axtell: 'He is very easy to work with and is superbly professional.'

Chris Shelley: 'Chris is well respected, experienced and a very good lawyer.'

Joanne Vengadesan advises tech companies and corporate customers on development and licence agreements of all kinds, often concerning products at the very frontiers of computer science and machine learning. 'Joanne is smart and always responsive, so teaming up with her is always a pleasant experience.'

Chambers UK - 2021 edition

The firm has strong sector expertise in the tech and life sciences spheres.

It is noted for expertise in hi-tech manufacturing agreements.

Strengths: ‘They have a capable team with broad experience and knowledge.’

‘Members of the Penningtons team have in-depth knowledge of the laws and have the ability to provide timely and well-analysed responses.’

‘Penningtons Manches Cooper have a good understanding of IT business practices.’

Notable practitioners

Will Axtell: ‘He provides excellent service.’

‘Chris Shelley knows the spinout space extremely well.’

Joanne Vengadesan: ‘She has excellent, in-depth understanding of IT issues.’

Chambers UK - 2023 edition

This 'formidable player in licensing' is a number one choice for licensors and licensees in the innovative high-technology industries of the Thames Valley region; clients originate from both public and private sectors. Chris Shelley advises on a wide range of IP matters, including patent and technology licensing and collaboration agreements in an array of fields, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and media. He is regarded as 'a super lawyer who is highly competent in IP and technology contracts'. Sources also praise the firm's practice in IT and telecommunications matters, including outsourcing and software licensing.

IAM Licensing 250 – the World's Leading Patent and Technology Lawyers

Penningtons Manches is recognised for its strength in the technology sector.

The Legal 500 – 2012 edition

Key areas for the 'excellent' team at Penningtons Manches LLP include science and technology.

The Legal 500 – 2013 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP’s corporate and commercial practice has a life sciences and technology slant.

With offices in London, Reading, Oxford and Cambridge, and leveraging the firm’s significant IP and life sciences expertise, Penningtons Manches LLP is well placed to represent technology clients, as well as spin-outs from universities. The ‘pragmatic’ Rob Hayes led the team, which includes the ‘very efficient’ Elizabeth Yell, on Veryan’s £18m Series C funding.

The Legal 500 - 2016 edition

The team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has a strong M&A and venture capital practice, with particular experience advising clients in the technology and life sciences sectors. Simon Bickerdike and Matthew Martin jointly head the team. Other key figures at the firm include Will Axtell and James Went who both specialise in M&A.

‘An excellent team with considerable experience in spin-outs, seed and Series A fundraisings, especially in relation to deep tech and life science companies. One of the most highly regarded and experienced teams in the sector.’

When it comes to tech issues, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a leading firm… Its practice spans numerous office locations and is therefore able to advise on a broad range of issues including software supply agreements, AI projects and data protection.

Chris Shelley is a name to note in the Oxford office; a specialist in patent licensing, Shelley is active in the life science and engineering sectors and is consulted by universities and their spin out companies. 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.

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has ‘deep experience in understanding the requirements of both investors and investees’, particularly in the context of tech and life sciences matters.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP acts for a wide range of clients across the therapeutics, medical devices, agricultural and veterinary fields. The firm's work encompasses corporate transactions, financing, IP, real estate and employment matters. 

‘The firm understands the sector and the requirements of firms like ours.’

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP‘s non-contentious IT practice has a strong fintech offering, an international scope, and advises on cutting-edge matters, including AI and blockchain.

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

The 'outstanding' team at Penningtons Manches LLP provides 'prompt, thorough and commercial' advice to investees and investors across a range of fundraising transactions from start-up and pre-seed funding through seed and angel funding to large institutional syndicate investments. Justin Starling has an excellent reputation in the technology and life sciences sectors (including university spin-out work); he recently advised DiffBlue, an artificial intelligence start-up spun out of Oxford University, on its £17m Series A funding round. David Tighe and James Went provide 'clear and actionable advice' with both recently acting for leading equity crowd funding platform Seedrs on its new funding round with a follow on investment of £4m by Woodford Investment Management. Rob Hayes handles a significant volume of deals across the South East and London including on behalf of Business Growth Fund and Touchstone Innovations plc.

The Legal 500 - 2019 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has a strong track record in international M&A and venture capital transactions and offers 'very practical and helpful advice' to major clients in the life sciences, technology and renewable energy sectors. Oxford-based partners Will Axtell and James Went specialise in M&A, fundraisings and AIM capital markets. In Reading Rob Hayes acts on behalf of investors and investee companies in mid-market M&A and venture capital transactions.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP's IP team has strong sector experience in life sciences and technology, handling a range of contentious and non-contentious cases for clients including patent and know-how licensing. The team is also noted for its work on software licensing and data protection where Joanne Vengadesan is the key contact. Practice head Chris Shelley is notable for his work with universities and their spin-out companies, while senior associate Holly Strube is also a key team member.

Biotechnology is a key industry sector across the national network of offices of Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, and the key lawyers in Cambridge advise start-ups and established life sciences companies on corporate, IP, IT, property and finance matters. Among its clients are numerous biotechnology, medical device, diagnostics and pharmaceutical companies, as well as research institutes. The team has a dedicated IP, IT and commercial lawyer in partner Rachel Bradley and an experienced employment partner in Hilary Aldred.

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

The 'outstanding' team acts for both buyers and sellers in mid-market M&A transactions, particularly in the technology and life science sectors. Will Axtell and James Went operate from the Oxford office; the former leads on large technology transactions, while the latter specialises in M&A and venture capital financing.

The 'brilliant' team 'knows what needs to be done for early-stage companies without over-complicating'. It is also noted for its 'outstanding' technology transfer expertise and is involved in a raft of spin-out work. Clients benefit from the group's seamless integration with the tax team, particularly as it relates to EIS transactions.

Anna Frankum [in London] and Chris Shelley [in Oxford] head the IP practice. A solid list of technology clients retains the team for IP advice relating to software, data and algorithms.

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

Data protection specialist Joanne Vengadesan, who leads the IT & telecoms team, is also co-chair of the data protection committee at international tech law association iTech Law. The wider practice's expertise includes structuring and negotiating transactions, data protection for new technologies, international manufacturing agreements, blockchain and artificial intelligence projects. Oliver Kidd is a specialist in IT, technology and outsourcing while Dan Lovett is renowned for his work in complex data protection matters.

Joanne Vengadesan is smart, focused, with a wide international background that allows her to liaise and connect easily with clients and peers.

The firm has a cross-office biotechnology practice with a significant presence in Cambridge, where commercial IP specialist Rachel Bradley is the lead partner. The firm frequently acts for funders and universities in spinouts from academic research groups. Employment partner Hilary Aldred also plays a key role.

Rachel Bradley was very helpful and attentive and ensured her team met our needs.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

Key sector strengths for Penningtons Manches LLP’s department include real estate, technology, life sciences and retail; it is also noted for its experience in venture capital. The team handles public as well as private M&A: David Tighe, Melvin Pedro and Matthew Martin advised Evotec on its £42m takeover of Cyprotex. Digital business expert James Klein is also recommended.

Penningtons Manches LLP provides ‘no-nonsense and business focused advice’ to an impressive roster of technology corporates, in addition to spin-outs from universities.

Penningtons Manches LLP is recommended for handling technology transactions and cross-border hi-tech manufacturing agreements, among other matters. 

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition