Thames Valley: Penningtons Manches makes six promotions

Law firm Penningtons Manches has promoted James Went, Gavin Stenton and Gemma Woodhouse to partners; and Sabrina Furneaux-Gotch, Bill Smith and John Chater to senior associates in its Oxford, Basingstoke and Reading offices.

Went (Oxford office) is a highly experienced corporate lawyer specialising in M&A and venture-capital work, with a particular focus on technology, life sciences and publishing.

Stenton (Oxford office) is a dual-qualified trademarks specialist providing strategic brand protection advice to international brand owners. His practice incorporates trademark portfolio management, advice to brand owners on the registerability and availability of their brands, and conflict resolution.

Woodhouse (Basingstoke office) specialises in both contentious and non-contentious employment law in the education, technology, publishing and media sectors. She is a member of the Employment Lawyers’ Association and the CIPD.

The new senior associates also have a range of specialities. Furneaux-Gotch of the Oxford office is an experienced litigator specialising in real estate disputes. Recognised as an ‘associate to watch’ in both the 2015 and 2016 issues of Chambers UK, she has recently been appointed chair of the Thames Valley branch of Women in Property.

Smith of the Oxford employment team has in-house and private practice experience of a full range of employment matters. He specialises in advising clients in the technology (particularly life sciences), education and retail sectors. 

Chater is a member of the Reading banking and finance team and his expertise includes new-money lending to investment-grade borrowers and the restructuring of distressed businesses and insolvency procedures.