Matthew Martin > Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Led by London-based Matthew Martin, the Guildford team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, also a member of the Multilaw network, regularly advises corporates, high-net-worth entrepreneurs and investors on start-ups, investments, restructurings and acquisitions. Its client base spans the technology, manufacturing and healthcare industries. Technology and private wealth expert David Kendall leads on joint ventures and transactions such as management buyouts, private equity work and reorganisations. Another key player in the team is Simon Bickerdike who often advises business owners and management on ownership structures and best practice as well as cross-border sales and purchases. Senior associate Hannah McIlwraith offers experience in assisting on cross-border M&A, reorganisations and corporate governance issues. Also noted is Philip Walton who has specialist knowledge across a range of areas including aviation, pharmacy, retail and real estate, while commercial lawyer Oliver Kidd focuses on IT, technology and procurement work.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has particular nous in the technology and life sciences sectors, excelling on high-end cross-border M&A work and venture capital transactions. Representing Oxford university spin-outs and growth companies are another core pillar of the team’s work in the space – M&A and private equity specialist Will Axtell, in addition to VC financing expert and ‘outstanding corporate lawyer’ James Went, are the names to note for such matters. Global head of corporate Matthew Martin is based in London. At associate level, Dominique Sabatini is another key contact for spin-out and venture capital work. Partner David Tighe retired in 2022.

The ‘excellent’ team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP ‘goes the extra mile for its clients’, which include many life sciences and “deep tech”-focused entities, from an early stage, through to latter rounds of investment. In this context, the core venture team, which is led by Matthew Martin  and James Went, from London and Oxford, respectively, is also able to lean into the expertise provided by employment, tax and IP practitioners to provide a very comprehensive service to these companies on their growth journey. Much of the investee-side work relates to university spin-outs, with Oxford University and Imperial College particularly fertile sources of instructions.

The ‘experienced’ team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP focuses on the technology, real estate, private wealth and retail sectors. Praised by clients for its ‘great technical knowledge’, the team has a strong international focus, regularly advising on cross-border deals. Practice head Matthew Martin provides corporate and finance expertise to a range of clients; Martin also co-heads the firm’s fashion, luxury and lifestyle sector group. Michaela Britton, praised for her ability to ‘tackle complex matters with ease’, advises on a wide range of corporate transactions and is regularly instructed by entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs. The team has been bolstered by the arrival of partner Mona Patel, who joined the firm from Ince & Co in January 2023, as well as Adam Carling, who joined from Bird & Bird LLP in October 2022. Jose Millan Martin left for Pinsent Masons LLP that same month.