The Guildford-based team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP offers a breath of knowledge which is ‘deeply embedded and very reassuring to clients’, from complex financial expertise to experience in a range of disputes over children, and notable strength in surrogacy matters. Veronica Gilmour heads the team, ’combining empathy and great tactical thinking’ while handling complex, often sensitive, finance and children matters. Gilmour leads the firm’s non-court dispute resolution offering, including its one lawyer two clients practice. Emma Willing is a ‘technically brilliant lawyer’, taking on cases involving complex corporate and trust structures, and working closely with Bethan Carr on surrogacy and modern families matters. Laura Naser is particularly noted for her work representing fathers and high-earning City professionals. Rachel Donald departed the team in May 2024 to Russell-Cooke LLP.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Pennington Manches Cooper are one of the leading family law firms both nationally and specifically in the Surrey area. The team has built its profile hugely over recent years and has established itself as the 'go to' firm in the area. The strength in depth is impressive and given the size of the firm nationally, the knowledge base is deeply embedded and very reassuring to clients.’
‘Veronica Gilmour is the grand dame of family law in the local area. Clients flock to her for her experience, expertise, strategic approach and sensitive understanding of how to approach family cases.’
‘Laura Hughes has exceptional attention to detail. Clients are confident she is all over the detail.'
- 'Bethan Carr is a brilliant family lawyer and surrogacy lawyer. Has the case load of a partner with the experience to match. She has a natural instinct when it comes to anything related to international surrogacy and adoption.’
‘Veronica Gilmour is an excellent family lawyer with vast experience and superb tactical thinking. She inspires her clients' confidence with her skill set - combining empathy and great tactical thinking.’
‘Emma Willing is a technically brilliant lawyer and has an incredible eye for detail. It is clear she has her clients' interests at the absolute forefront yet she is pragmatic, fair and commercial.'
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Bethan Carr
Practice head
Veronica Gilmour
Other key lawyers
Emma Willing; Laura Naser; Sarah Duckworth; Bethan Carr; Laura Hughes; Beth Bell; Arjun Sreedaran