Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP‘s client base consists of a notably strong crop of companies in the tech, life sciences, charities and education sectors. The team handles the full scope of both contentious and non-contentious matters, maintaining a niche strength in discrimination-related cases. The 'fantastic' Hilary Aldred heads the department, with her team including Sophie Whitbread and Charissa Upton, who both support across the full range of work. Whitbread has particular knowledge of the higher education sector, and Upton excels in work for clients in the life sciences space.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘I found the team's responsiveness, the ability to take the complex and make it simple and overall market knowledge made them the perfect advisor.’
- ‘Charissa Upton is a standout. Her attention to detail combined with her market knowledge and commerciality make for the perfect mixture.’
- ‘The team are responsive, knowledgeable, inspire confidence in decisions on complex cases, nice people to work with and pragmatic.’
- ‘Hilary Aldred understands our business and provides a safe bridge between the business issue and navigation of employment law. Her style is very collaborative and the advice she gives is pragmatic and sound.'
- ‘They want to understand the whole organisation before giving advice, thinking of the wider context and any possible implications.’
- ‘Sophie Whitbread explains everything in a way that is understandable, rather than sticking to jargon that could confuse some. Also, the response time on queries is quick.’
Key clients
- Verian Group
- Osler Diagnostics
- Christ Church, Oxford
- Abcam Plc
- Abzena (Cambridge) Limited
- Ubisense Limited
- Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
- Murray Edwards College, Cambridge
- UCL Business PLC
- Vix Technology Limited
- Elixir Consulting Limited
- Flatiron Health
Work highlights
Advising multi-national life sciences company Flatiron Health on its UK workforce, including implementing changes to their pension provision.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Sophie Whitbread
Practice head
Hilary Aldred
Other key lawyers
Sophie Whitbread; Charissa Upton