Daff Richardson > Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP > Oxford, England > Lawyer Profile

Described by clients as ‘one of the top firms working in the public sector’, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP education department is equipped to advise a broad range of higher and further education clients. Led by employment expert Daff Richardson in Oxford, the team’s areas of work also include real estate and regulatory law as well as reputation management issues. The ‘truly outstanding’ Sam Rose is a key contact for consumer law, public law challenges, governance issues and disputes relating to teaching and assessment.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is known for its strong sector-specific focus, with particular emphasis on work arising out of technology, charities, education, social housing, life sciences, and financial services. Practice leadership is shared between Daff Richardson  and Eugene Wojciechowski, both of whom have longstanding experience in employment matters. Partner Gemma Woodhouse is a go-to name for discrimination issues, and acts for some of the firm’s key tech and education sector clients. Katie Glendinning focuses her practice on representing clients in the education sector including independent schools.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP advises education institutions, grant making charities, philanthropists and religious institutions with governance, powers and duties of trustees in addition to regulatory matters. With over three decades of experience, Daff Richardson leads the team and frequently assists clients with employment issues, including grievances and whistleblowing. Rachel Spruce is sought after by private clients for structural matters, including the formation of charitable trusts. All the individuals mentioned are located in Oxford.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is instructed by universities and Oxbridge colleges to handle ‘complex and cutting-edge cases‘ involving contentious employment and student disciplinary matters as well as handling a wide spectrum of governance and commercial matters in relation to data privacy, partnerships and contracts, and real estate. The team boasts notable expertise in issues related to safeguarding, student and staff misconduct, and industrial relations. Employment specialists Daff Richardson, who is based in Oxford, and Hilary Aldred, who practices from Cambridge, are regularly entrusted to act in complex mandates surrounding discrimination, freedom of speech, and no platforming. Oxford-based governance and student relations expert Sam Rose is also highly recommended. In London, immigration specialist Pat Saini and commercial expert Anna Frankum are further key contacts.

Under the joint leadership of Daff Richardson and Hilary Aldred, the multi-practice offering at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP advises a broad range of third sector clients including local and national charities, as well as education institutions, social housing and trade associations and religious organisations. The group has considerable strength in contentious side work, and Laura Dadswell advises many high-net-worth families on the creation of philanthropic structures, and ongoing compliance and governance issues.