Merger announced between Penningtons Manches and Thomas Cooper

Leading national firm Penningtons Manches and shipping specialist Thomas Cooper have agreed to merge, the firms have announced.

Penningtons Manches Cooper will have a combined turnover of over £90 million, according to the Law Gazette. The top 50 firm’s UK offices in London, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Guildford, Oxford and Reading will now be complimented by Thomas Cooper’s international offices in Paris, Madrid, Piraeus, Singapore and Sao Paulo.

David Raine, Penningtons Manches’ chief executive, said: “Thomas Cooper has a long and proud history in shipping, maritime and cross-border work, with a strong client base served by highly skilled specialist lawyers. The large-scale work undertaken by its international arbitration and litigation teams will really enhance the growing importance of this area of work. Moreover, having an established, on-the-ground presence in a number of important international jurisdictions is a significant advantage as we look to maintain the needs of our increasingly international client base.”

Tim Kelleher, senior partner at Thomas Cooper added: “Penningtons Manches has a thriving, robust business and we’ve been seriously impressed with the senior team’s vision and strategy throughout this process. By joining forces, our clients will benefit from a wider service offering both in the UK and internationally – in particular they will have access to skilled teams specialising in immigration, private wealth, corporate and project finance, tax and insolvency and restructuring.”