The Legal 500

Within M&A: smaller deals, up to £50m, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Penningtons Solicitors LLP is ‘particularly well equipped to deal with any kind of transaction in the VC arena’, and is highlighted for the ‘degree of partner exposure’ it affords. James Klein was appointed to lead the London corporate team following his arrival in 2011 from Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP. Indian investment deals remain a strong focus.

Within Partnership Partnership

Within Commercial litigation, tier 6

Penningtons Solicitors LLP’s profile has grown with its mergers with Wedlake Saint and Dawsons Solicitors. The practice continues to act for a majority shareholder of Sunrise Radio in unfair prejudice litigation, and regularly acts for Indian law firms and other Indian clients. Rustam Dubash heads the team, and David Niven, Noel McMichael, and Stephen Ralph are also key figures.

Within Professional discipline, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

The team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP is commended for its industry knowledge, approachability and ‘high-quality service’. Practice head Katrina Wingfield ‘knows the work inside out’ and ‘processes cases efficiently’; Geoffrey Hudson is ‘understated but brilliant’; and barrister Nicole Curtis is ‘a clear and authoritative advocate’. The firm has handled numerous cases for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, as well as advising the SRA and the Farriers Registration Council, among others.

Within Commodities: physicals, tier 4

Donald Lambert at Penningtons Solicitors LLP specialises in disputes involving minor metals.

Within Trade finance, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Abraham Ezekiel at Penningtons Solicitors LLP advised Santander UK on the security package for a £2.5m trade finance facility, and Bangkok Bank on a £50m financing for poultry imports.

Within Employment: employers and senior executives, tier 7

The ‘results-orientated’ team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP is in growth mode under the leadership of the ‘creative and thorough’ Jon Heuvel and ‘very incisive and personable’ Paul Mander. Clients include Burger King, Coca-Cola and Hyatt UK; it recently advised the latter on agency workers regulations. It also undertakes work for senior business individuals.

Within Immigration, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a first tier firm,

Penningtons Solicitors LLP’s small but effective team is well regarded for its advice to Tier 4 sponsors, and is also experienced in Tier 2 and Tier 5 applications. Nichola Carter does a ‘good job’ advising UK universities on issues ranging from suspended sponsor licences to UKBA compliance; and Philip Barth recently advised a number of foreign nationals on a new form of entrepreneurial team visa.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, tier 4

At Penningtons Solicitors LLP, John Kyriacou ‘has a great depth of experience’; his ‘commitment is total’. He is well supported by an excellent team of lawyers based in the South East.

Within Contentious trusts and probate, tier 4

Penningtons Solicitors LLP’s Michael Cash is a ‘brilliant litigator’. In 2011, the firm acted for Nicholas Rayner in Murphy v Rayner, in which a claim for proprietary estoppel was dismissed, and a variety of counterclaims were successful.

Within Court of Protection, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

Panel firm Penningtons Solicitors LLP has a ‘demonstrable track record’ in the Court of Protection. Julie Burton ‘couples empathy with technical expertise and experience’. The firm advises individuals and their families, trustees, beneficiaries, and professionals in deputyships and wills.

Within Family, tier 7

Julia Thackray’s team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP is ‘excellent value’. Michael Cash ‘cannot be faulted’.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Penningtons Solicitors LLP ‘provides a clear path through difficult areas of tax, trusts and probate’. The firm advises individuals and families in the £30m-500m bracket, and is also instructed in relation to several £100m cross-border trusts. Neil Morris ‘excels at complex matters’; Wynne Thomas is ‘approachable’; Clare Archer is ‘unbelievably prompt’; and Robert Macro is ‘solutions driven’. Clients include Mercator Trust Company and Kleinwort Benson.

Within Education: institutions, tier 5

Penningtons Solicitors LLP acts for higher and further education providers and operators of private colleges, and advises on immigration, mergers and partial takeovers, and employment issues. ‘Original thinker’ Nichola Carter is recommended, as is practice head Simon Bickerdike.

Within Commercial property, tier 5

Penningtons Solicitors LLP’s mergers with Wedlake Saint and Dawsons Solicitors added four partners to a ‘very cohesive unit’, which recently advised Aviva Investors Pensions on a £30m supermarket acquisition. Peter McElligott’s ‘capability in complex transactions is very impressive’, and Richard Hunter ‘delivers straightforward solutions in a logical, concise fashion’.

Within Property litigation, tier 5

Penningtons Solicitors LLP’s ‘very committed’ team assists institutional landlords in disputes with commercial tenants. Donald Lambert demonstrates ‘strong commercial acumen’, and David Masters is ‘thorough’. Aviva is a key client.

Within Social housing: local authorities and registered providers, tier 4

Penningtons Solicitors LLP provides ‘outstanding customer service’. It is acting on simultaneous stock transfers in and out of Sovereign Housing Association, involving potential TUPE issues. Practice head Linda Storey, Andrew Casstles and Colin Hammond are recommended.

Within Intellectual property, tier 4

The lawyers at Penningtons Solicitors LLP ‘actively advise, rather than just process, and have real international capacity’. The team handles soft IP protection and enforcement issues, including matters involving colour marks, licensing and online infringement. Clients include Prudential Health Services and Levi Roots Reggae Reggae Foods. Anna Frankum is ‘very experienced, totally pragmatic, and highly efficient’.