What people say about us

Reputation management and privacy

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Strengths: ‘They were prompt and accessible, and the team showed good knowledge of the law and the process to pursue a claim.’

Notable practitioners

Jeremy Clarke-Williams: ‘He is great with clients and good at managing their expectations.’

Chambers UK - 2023 edition

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The reputation management and privacy practice at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP supports both claimants and defendants with libel claims, harassment, and data protection breaches. Head of litigation Clare Arthurs and reputation specialist Jeremy Clarke-Williams co-lead the team, having acted on numerous high-profile libel cases and matrimonial disputes. Adele Ashton has over 20 years’ experience handling complex malicious falsehood and libel claims against major national news outlets, and is leading a number of large data breach claims. The team is supported by associate Eva McHale, who is also recommended.

‘Very long-standing expertise in defamation and related fields.’

‘Excellent reputation management team with wide range of other resources from departments within the firm.’

‘Adele Ashton is highly regarded. She has great attention to detail and is highly efficient. She is great with clients – ensuring that all avenues are explored and their interests protected.’

‘Jeremy Clarke-Williams has huge experience which he brings to bear to assist clients resolve problems promptly. Clients appreciate his sympathy with their positions and his realistic advice about how to solve their problems. Adele Ashton is smart and good at privacy claims and managing large groups of clients. Eva McHale is impressive.’

‘Jeremy Clarke-Williams is simply of the best libel lawyers in the field. Experienced, thorough and considerate he is well liked by clients and those that work with him. A superstar at tactics.’

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

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Active defamation practice known for its representation of the Police Federation, as well as trade unions. Significant privacy practice focused on the misuse of private information and data protection breaches. Also frequently acts for high-profile and private individuals, concerning both pre- and post-publication matters.

Strengths: Sources say: ‘They provide a personable and direct service, and keep clients updated regularly.’

Notable practitioners

Adele Ashton: ‘Her personable approach is fantastic. She has a willingness to listen and provide options.’ ‘She is incredibly accessible and commercial.’

Jeremy Clarke-Williams: ‘He is great with clients and good at managing their expectations.’

Reputation management and privacy – Chambers UK – 2022 edition

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‘Great team with deep knowledge and experience of this legal area.’

‘The practice has adapted and always looks at new ways of delivering for us. Their new, innovative ways of dealing with claims has meant Penningtons have far outweighed other practices. They continue to innovate and set the bar.’

‘They stand out because of their knowledge, expertise and honesty when providing legal advice. They don’t lead a client to submitting a claim when there is no viable claim to be pursued. They have great interpersonal skills which is excellent when it comes to advising clients as to whether litigation opportunities exist or not.’

‘Jeremy Clarke-Williams – superb, approachable and very clever.’

‘Adele Ashton – excellent, great on the detail and also makes sure that the ‘big picture’ aspects are properly dealt with.’

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

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Strengths: One client describes the team as 'professional, courteous and responsive.'

Another notes: 'They're very good at what they do and are very quick to respond.'

Notable practitioners
Jeremy Clarke-Williams is well regarded for his expertise in advising a wide range of clients on complex privacy and defamation matters. 'He is one of the most experienced solicitors in this area. He's an extremely accomplished litigator and a very good client handler - someone to trust with a tricky case.'

Adele Ashton is recognised for her expertise advising on a broad array of reputation management issues, especially defamation and privacy issues. 'An excellent practitioner who is willing to find novel arguments to resolve cases.'

Chambers UK - 2021 edition

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Housed within the commercial dispute resolution department, the reputation management offering at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP covers defamation and misuse of private information advice. The team is often called in to assist other departments, such as family law, employment, private client and charities, handle highly sensitive cases in which reputational and privacy issues are likely to arise. Crisis management around sexual harassment allegations and data protection incidents are making up an increasing amount of the team's workload. Jeremy Clarke-Williams is a solid performer in high profile libel cases; he is often instructed by corporate clients both as claimants and defendants. Adele Ashton assists clients with issues prior to publication, as well as in litigation arising from breach of privacy rights.

Each individual carefully points out the pros and cons of each option, resulting in the client gaining solid basic legal advice to choose how to proceed. All members of the team are highly responsive.

Good competences and spread in the handling of cases.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

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The 'small but highly effective' reputation management and privacy department at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP demonstrates particular strength in matters related to the firm's expertise in family, private client and employment law. Team head Jeremy Clarke-Williams, who is regarded as a 'leading light', has ample experience in all aspects of libel, reputation management and privacy law and acts for members of parliament, celebrities and private individuals alike. In addition to her expertise in litigation, 'hard-working' associate director Adele Ashton also offers pre-publication advice.

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

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Notable practitioners
Jeremy Clarke-Williams offers extensive experience of all aspects of defamation, privacy law and reputation management. Impressed commentators name him as ‘a solicitor of vast experience in every aspect of practice, both in prosecuting and avoiding litigation.’ Sources also state: ‘His sympathetic personality and wealth of experience have made him an unerring judge of the strengths and weaknesses of all the players on both sides of any dispute.’

Adele Ashton represents claimants and defendants in relation to libel, breach of confidence and data protection issues. One source says: ‘She thinks critically and is really an exceptional lawyer.’

Chambers UK - 2019 edition

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