What people say about us

Penningtons Manches LLP’s team advises on claimant and defendant travel injury cases. Clients include Direct Line Group, UK General Insurance Group and Vitality Health. The team is led by Mark Lee, who is ‘one to watch’, and includes the ‘excellent’ Warren Collins and ‘very experienced’ senior associate Keith Dean.

The Legal 500 - 2016 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP is praised for its ‘high level of specialist knowledge’. The team handles international personal injury cases for claimant and defendant clients and is ‘not afraid to run with risky cases’. Team head Mark Lee is ‘very committed to his clients’ and ‘is able to explain the differences and intricacies of foreign jurisdictions; he is acutely aware of the need to assess risk and cost in order to consider the best way of settling claims to the satisfaction of the client’. Warren Collins and Keith Dean are also key members of the team.

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition

The team at Penningtons Manches LLP are ‘specialists in the field with a deep knowledge of travel law and dealing with EU jurisdictional issues’ and handle international personal injury cases for claimants and defendants, acting for a number of insurer clients. Travel law team head Mark Lee is ‘very practical in his approach and capable of dealing with very complex matters in a straightforward manner’ and is particularly experienced in head injury cases. Warren Collins and senior associate (non-solicitor) Keith Dean are also key figures.

The Legal 500 - 2019 edition

The team is adept at handling complex and high-value cross-border personal injury claims for claimants and defendants and is instructed by a number of insurers. It is particularly noted for its specialist brain injury expertise. Team head Mark Lee is leading advice for an individual who suffered life changing injuries, and his family, following a catastrophic road traffic accident in France.

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

Building a reputation as a leader in the field, travel law practice head Mark Lee primarily represents travel insurers and their policyholders in high-value compensation claims arising from accidents abroad. 

They have many years worth of expertise in the niche field of travel insurance related claims; the Penningtons Manches Cooper team have remained a reliable and ever more knowledgeable presence.

Mark Lee and Keith Dean have always demonstrated absolute professionalism, and manage to combine pragmatism and clarity of advice, with a friendly and open approach to whoever needs their advice.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

Handles a wide range of personal injury claims arising from accidents abroad for both claimants and defendants. Also assists travel insurers with contractual disputes and insurance recoveries.

Clarity: 'Their work is clear and concise. I like knowing what my options are and what the consequences will be and they're very good at doing that.'

Work highlights: Helped FirstAssist Group secure a EUR1.5 million settlement for a pedestrian seriously injured whilst in Belgium.

Notable practitioners

Mark Lee heads the practice. Clients say: 'He's knowledgeable, personable, is a good communicator and understands the client's needs.'

Significant clients: Allianz Legal Protection, Alpine Elements/I Go Ski, Direct Group, Camp America/The American Institute for Foreign Studies, Chubb Group.

Chambers UK - 2014 edition

Acts for claimants and defendants in personal injury claims. Noted for its expertise in advising claimants on RTAs abroad.

Work highlights: Acted for the claimant on a novel case whereby compensation was claimed against a credit card supplier after the claimant suffered catastrophic injuries in an RTA in Cuba.

Notable practitioners

Sources identify Mark Lee as 'a mover and a shaker' in the market. He is particularly adept in high-value serious injury claims. Clients say he is knowledgeable and approachable.

Warren Collins is often sought after for his expertise in cross-border claims, particularly his knowledge of the US jurisdiction. Sources praise his approach: 'He had a very caring attitude and was extremely efficient'.

Significant clients: UK General Insurance, Allianz Legal Protection, Direct Group, Prudential Health Services, Camp America.

Chambers UK - 2015 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP’s ‘very knowledgeable’ team handles a range of personal injury claims involving accidents abroad, acting on both the claimant and defendant sides. It also assists travel insurers in relation to contractual disputes and insurance recoveries. Godalming-based Mark Lee heads the team.

The Legal 500 - 2013 edition

Understanding and approachable - the team underpin their niche knowledge and expertise with flexible, efficient and most importantly practical solutions to problem solving. An expert in their field.  

David Nash, Manager, BTE Claims, Allianz Legal Protection

I have found Penningtons Manches to be very attentive, professional, thorough and, importantly to our company, refreshingly friendly. Penningtons Manches' travel team has aided in recovering significant monies over the last 12 months and we now use them exclusively for all our foreign accident cases.  

Steve Agnew, Recoveries manager, Mondial Assistance (UK)

Penningtons Manches are always very quick to advise on potential foreign recovery cases and give guidance on legal matters relating to travel insurance claims. They provide their proposals in a simple format so you are not blinded by legal jargon and make your options very clear. The service is excellent and the team are very professional and a pleasure to work with.  

Graeme Bell, Claims development director, Direct Group

I have worked with Mark for many years now. His knowledge of international litigation is second to none and he is always available to provide his expert advice when needed.  

Simon Cook, Special investigations manager, Cega

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.

Strengths: ‘They are approachable, efficient and have sound pragmatic advice. Their work is efficient and the follow-up and completion of documentation is smoothly handled.’

‘I am impressed with the advice and detailed knowledge within the team as a whole.’ 

Notable practitioners

The ‘excellent’ Rob Hayes regularly works with investors, including US entities, and investees.

Justin Starling has a broad venture capital practice advising on early stage funding rounds and exits. Clients highlight him as a ‘strong corporate adviser’ who ‘understands the commercial world.’

Associate to watch Elizabeth Yell is noted as being ‘very friendly and efficient’ and ‘very good at the details.’

Chambers UK - 2017 edition

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. Maintains close links with a number of leading UK universities and frequently advises on spin-out work.

Strengths: Sources highlight the team's ‘experience and efficient service,’ adding that the firm is ‘considerate of the size and demands of an SME.’ 

Notable practitioners 
Rob Hayes handles the full gamut of venture capital matters, advising both investors and investee companies on fund-raisings and equity matters. He was recently involved in Nexeon's £30 million refinancing project.

Justin Starling is highly regarded by investee companies and early-stage businesses for his abilities in investment work, particularly in the life sciences sector. He also advises clients on ongoing company law and corporate governance matters.

Senior associate Elizabeth Yell receives plaudits from clients, who thoroughly appreciate her ‘patience, tenacity and attention to detail.’ She is highly regarded by both investors and growth companies for her skills in venture capital work.

Chambers UK - 2018 edition

Strengths: One source says: 'They give pragmatic and commercial advice, and offer a reliable and professional service.'

Notable practitioners
Rob Hayes advises clients on a range of corporate transactions and has particular experience with private equity and venture capital clients. 'He has a really commercial, get-it-done attitude and he thinks around the problems and always has potential solutions.'

Justin Starling concentrates his practice on acting for venture capital investment funds and companies in the technology space on a range of matters. He is experienced in deals from seed funding to exit transactions. 'Justin always delivers reliable, practical and commercial advice.'

Chambers UK - 2021 edition

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

With offices in London, Reading, Cambridge and Oxford, and leveraging the firm’s IP and life sciences expertise, Penningtons Manches LLP provides ‘no-nonsense and business focused advice’ to an impressive roster of technology corporates, in addition to spin-outs from universities. Justin Starling has a ‘good understanding of how best to move all parties to complete on a transaction’; he recently advised NeRRe Therapeutics on its £23m Series B funding round. Associate Elizabeth Yell has particular expertise advising high-growth technology businesses and is praised for her ‘very efficient advice’. The team also continues to pick up an increased flow of investor-side instructions including, ‘pragmatic deal doer’ Rob Hayes’ recent work for Business Growth Fund. Other clients include Nexeon, Touchstone Innovations, Seedrs, and Evox Therapeutics.

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition

Co-headed by the 'exceptional' Rob Hayes and Justin Starling from Reading and also able to draw on resources in London, Oxford and Cambridge, the 'brilliant' team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP '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. Reading-based associate Elizabeth Yell is a 'definite rising star' in the team for high growth technology businesses and numerous institutional investors.

Attilio Leccisotti is a very talented senior associate and one to watch for the future.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

Strengths: Clients praise the ‘quality of resources and breadth of expertise to advise on a wide range of issues efficiently.’

Another source comments: ‘It's a strong team that responds quickly and is good at delving deeply into knock-on issues rather than just focusing on a narrow issue.’

Notable practitioners
Clients praise Justin Starling's ability to ‘get to the issue quickly and always focus on the commercial importance rather than getting bogged down in legal arguments.’ He is well versed in the representation of investors and investees in the venture capital space, and is particularly active in the technology sector.

Chambers UK - 2019 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. ‘Exceptional’ team head James Went is regularly at the forefront of the highest-profile mandates handled by the team, including a significant amount of university spin-out work. Corporate tax expert Kathy Hills is also a key resource in relation to investments made through tax efficient schemes, including the government-backed EIS and SEIS initiatives.

‘Previously firms I’ve worked with have engaged in point-scoring at the clients’ expense, here a laser-like focus on the desired outcome left me feeling like we got tremendous value.’

‘They have a knack for understanding the commercial considerations behind the legal implications, something that is not always the case in a law practice!’

‘James Went was exceptional, adroitly guiding us through a complex deal structure with a trade buyer whose revenue was three orders of magnitude higher than ours.’

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition