Gemma Woodhouse > Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP > Reading, England > Lawyer Profile
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP Offices
APEX PLAZA
FORBURY ROAD
READING
RG1 1AX
England
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Gemma Woodhouse
Work Department
Employment, education, technology
Position
Partner specialising in employment law both contentious and non-contentious with a keen interest in all aspects of discrimination law. Since qualification, Gemma has been involved with a significant Court of Appeal decision and a number of Tribunal hearings and appeals to the Employment Appeal Tribunals. She also regularly provides corporate support in relation to business transfers and reorganisations and day to day HR advisory support for commercial clients. Gemma has also provided guidance to clients on the implications of TUPE and the terms of commercial outsourcing arrangements.
Gemma advises a number of independent schools and academies in relation to their employment law issues and was key in starting the ‘Independent Schools HR Forums’ operated by the firm. She presents seminars internally and externally on a broad range of employment issues and also contributes articles to both external publications and the firm’s regular employment update.
She is described by clients as having “a good tactical approach to dealing with HR issues”, being “very swift with her advice” and an adviser who “ acts in the client’s best interests”.
Career
Where trained: Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Year qualified: 2007
Year made partner in present firm: 2016
Memberships
Memberships held: ELA
Education
Main secondary school attended: Yateley Comprehensive
Universities and colleges attended: Bristol University
(degrees and qualifications with years attained): 2:1 (2003) LLB (Hons)
College of Law Guildford- LPC (distinction) 2004
Lawyer Rankings
London > Public sector > Education: schools
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP‘s team of independent school specialists is well-regarded for its advice on employment, safeguarding, and governance issues, with a notable record of advising on employee compensation and pension matters as well as sensitive student and staff disciplinary issues. Practice head Gemma Woodhouse, who practices from Reading, is particularly noted for her understanding of matters related to students with special educational needs and is also a key contact for discrimination and employment issues. Katie Glendinning is also based in Reading and is recommended for her employment expertise, while London-based lawyer Hazar El-Chamaa provides schools with critical regulatory compliance advice, especially on immigration matters.
South East > Employment > Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
(Leading individuals)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.
Lawyer Rankings
- Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40 South East > Employment
- Leading individuals South East > Employment > Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Insurance > Clinical negligence: claimant
- Real estate > Commercial property: Kent, Surrey, Sussex
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
- Employment > Employment: Kent, Surrey, Sussex
- Employment > Employment: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
- Private client > Family: Kent, Surrey, Sussex
- Private client > Family: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
- Insurance > Personal injury: claimant
- Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate: Kent, Surrey, Sussex
- Real estate > Social housing
Firm Rankings
- Finance > Banking and finance
- Private client > Charities and not-for-profit
- Real estate > Commercial property: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
- Private client > Contentious trusts and probate
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Kent, Surrey, Sussex
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property
- Employment > Pensions
- Real estate > Property litigation
- Public sector > Public sector
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40
- Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery