Strengths: ‘Members of the Penningtons team have in-depth knowledge of the laws and have the ability to provide timely and well-analysed responses.’
‘…Very strong at problem solving for nontypical issues.’
Notable practitioners
Chris Shelley: ‘I admire Chris's abilities.’
Chambers UK - 2023 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
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
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
Impressive IP practice acting for life sciences and tech sector businesses, universities and their spin-offs, and also leading publishing and engineering companies. Comes recommended for litigation, as well as licence and research agreements.
Notable practitioners
Chris Shelley is commended for his expertise in spin-out, collaboration and licensing transactions in the university, life sciences and technology sectors. 'Chris is well respected, experienced and a very good lawyer.'
Joanne Vengadesan is an intellectual property and IT specialist with particular expertise in software licensing, data rights and brand protection.
Chambers UK - 2021 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 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
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
The patent practitioners at transactional titan Penningtons Manches deploy their keen commercial instincts and deep sectoral knowledge to superb effect. The South East is their natural stomping ground, thanks to offices in London, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Guildford, Oxford and Reading; but their patrons hail from all corners of the world.
IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Practitioners 2016
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
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Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.
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