At Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP in Cambridge 'the team is very well organised, across the detail of their cases, and hardworking'. Employment specialist Hilary Aldred leads the practice, which advises on specialist issues such as governance and trustees, safeguarding, student matters, and sector-specific regulation, as well as providing general legal advice. She recently assisted the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors with governance and financial matters. 'Clear, technically very strong, and pragmatic' managing associate Sophie Whitbread, who acts for education institutions and charities, plays a central role in assisting clients with the day-to-day management of employees. 'She can be trusted with the most technical of legal queries', remarks one client.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Particular strengths are the client base and experience, which is second to none. Led by Hilary Aldred, Penningtons leads the pack in education law. The team is very well organised, across the detail of their cases, and hardworking.’
‘Sophie Whitbread has been brilliant at handling a highly complex claim. She is clear, technically very strong, pragmatic and has fantastic instincts when it comes to points to push and where arguments would incur unnecessary costs.’
‘Client relationship is an outstanding feature of the practice. I speak to the same person and they understand our organisation so there is no need for time consuming background information - they know us and how we work.’
‘Outstanding knowledge and experience with the ability to deliver advice in easy to understand and clear terms. I feel very confident using Penningtons.’
‘Excellent technical expertise, very calm presence, and can be trusted with the most complex of matters.’
‘Sophie Whitbread can be trusted with the most technical of legal queries - her ability to explain complex law to lay clients is excellent. She is very calm under pressure and is a trusted adviser.’
Key clients
- SCL Education
- Churchill College, Cambridge
- University of Exeter
- Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
- Florida State University
- Royal Agricultural University
- Oxford International Education Group
- Navitas
- Regents University
- Istituto Marangoni
- GGE
- Jesus College, Oxford
- St Mary’s University, Twickenham
- S P Jain School of Management
- American Institute for Foreign Study
- ICMP Management Limited
- Unifrog Education Ltd
- Chartered Association of Business Schools
- The Institute of Leadership and Management
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Hilary Aldred