The Legal 500

Within Corporate and commercial: Hampshire, tier 4

Simon Bickerdike’s commercial team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP works closely with the firm’s Godalming office and has experience in the TMT sector. Franco Bosi and Joanne Vengadesan are recommended.

Within Corporate and commercial: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, tier 4

Simon Bickerdike’s team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP serves clients in the SME, owner-managed, and larger corporate sectors.

Within Corporate tax, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

Sarah Cardew’s team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP advised electronics engineering company Microtek on its purchase of a Southampton-based communications company in 2010, and also advised on the multimillion-pound sale of a music school business. The team has employment tax, SDLT, VAT and customs duties expertise.

Within Debt recovery Debt recovery

Within Employment: Hampshire, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

Penningtons Solicitors LLP fields a ‘very responsive, knowledgeable and commercial’ team. In 2010 it advised on several redundancy programmes, and on a disability discrimination claim and a whistleblowing claim, advising the employer in both instances. David Bickford is ‘excellent’.

Within Employment: Kent, Surrey and Sussex, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

Penningtons Solicitors LLP’s clients include Newsquest Media Group and Redstone. The ‘very good’ Michael Cole has expertise in TUPE and business reorganisations.

Within Clinical negligence: claimant, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a first tier firm,

Jointly headed by Philippa Luscombe and Tim Palmer, the ‘very experienced’ team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP advises on cerebral palsy, caesarian and delayed diagnosis cases. The team recently welcomed associates Grainne Barton from Charles Russell LLP and Kay Taylor from Shoosmiths.

Within Personal injury: claimant, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a second tier firm,

In 2010 Penningtons Solicitors LLP advised in a number of high-value and complex road traffic accident cases. Practice head Philippa Luscombe and Tim Palmer are ‘impressive’.

Within Regional review Regional heavyweights

Within Agriculture and estates Agriculture and estates

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Hampshire, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘top-drawer’ team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP advises on estate planning, cross-border tax cases, and onshore and offshore trust structures. ‘A problem solver by nature’, Michael Cash has ‘excellent knowledge and steel nerves’; and Julie Burton is ‘extremely efficient and dependable’. The group has recently handled several contested Court of Protection applications.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a first tier firm,

The ‘impressive’ team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP advises high-net-worth individuals, and is at the forefront of cutting-edge tax planning. Laura Dadswell developed a family limited partnership structure as an alternative to a trust, which has attracted interest from private banks and family offices in recent years.

Within Commercial property: Hampshire Commercial property: Hampshire

Within Commercial property: Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

John Ewens’ team at Penningtons Solicitors LLP advises Flight Centre on all its UK property matters, including high-value lettings in key cities. The healthcare sector is also a key focus.

Within Social housing , Penningtons Solicitors LLP is a third tier firm,

Penningtons Solicitors LLP’s highly regarded team advises clients such as AmicusHorizon, Family Mosaic Housing and Thames Valley Housing Association on issues including anti-social behaviour, securitisation and mortgage rescue. Practice head Linda Storey is recommended.

Within Intellectual property Intellectual property

Within IT and telecoms IT and telecoms