- Number of partners: 47
- Assistant solicitors: 75
- Other fee-earners: 35
THE FIRM Manches has offices in London, Oxford and Reading, each of which provides a full legal service, strongly focused through a number of chosen sectors. Manches’ commercial work - both contentious and non-contentious - is centred on the technology, life sciences, real estate, media, publishing, finance, retail and fashion sectors. The firm has a strong reputation for its corporate finance, intellectual property, employment, tax and litigation work, where it is highly regarded for providing astute and practical legal advice. In parallel with its commercial practice, Manches continues to develop its prestigious and highly-rated family law and private client practice, whose service levels are widely considered to set the benchmark for this area of law.
PRINCIPAL AREAS OF WORK Commercial clients include major public and private companies and investors, but the firm actively fosters its relationships with fast-growing and mid-sized businesses, universities, research councils and government bodies. In family law and private client the firm contributes extensively to national forums in these areas.
Technology, Media & IP: Covers all aspects of commercial and trading law, including media, publishing, biotechnology, IT and retail companies amongst its clients. Advice includes distribution agreements, joint ventures, partnerships, manufacturing and supply agreements and regulatory compliance. Intellectual property work covers patent disputes, copyright, trademarks, franchising, brand management, celebrity endorsements and advertising. Media work encompasses broadcasting production, content and carriage, publishing, music, computer games and devices and sport. The Data Protection Team works in all sectors, but has established an enviable reputation in the retail sector.
Corporate Finance: Undertakes a comprehensive range of corporate work, including full listings, AIM flotations, public takeovers, venture capital funding, university spin-outs, MBOs, company sales and acquisitions, corporate tax, insolvency and restructurings.
Employment: Acts for employers and individuals. With a specific focus on senior level appointments and terminations and where required, international transfers, a full service is provided to HR departments, from first advertisements to termination and beyond.
Litigation: Has a broad and in-depth experience of commercial dispute resolution, with a particular emphasis on construction, property, banking, insolvency, product liability, intellectual property, technology and media disputes. The team also works closely with private client and family.
Family: Universally acknowledged as being among the best in the country, with over 30 lawyers dedicated to this work. The private client group adds a further four lawyers to the team to provide a comprehensive service. Manches is particularly well known for its expertise in complex financial cases, those involving children and international cases.
Property: Works with a range of property investors and financiers and with specialist teams looking after retailers, residential developers, social housing providers, overseas investors and shopping centre operators. Manches provides a full range of contentious and non-contentious legal support services throughout the real estate sector.
Construction & Projects: Deals with all aspects of contentious and non-contentious issues in the construction industry. Specialist advice is available for those involved in renewable energy, water, PPP/PFI projects, waste management and infrastructure industries.
Sector focus: Manches has a special focus on key sectors where lawyers from all legal disciplines help address the business issues that face clients. These include: commercial technology; life sciences; retail and fashion; publishing and media; finance; real estate (including property, social housing and environment); international wealth; sustainability; public sector.
Areas of PracticePrivate Client/Family Law: 37%
Technology/Media/IP: 18%
Real Estate: 16%
Litigation: : 13%
Corporate: 10%
Employment: 6%