Overview

The Pensions team at Penningtons Manches Cooper is a highly regarded specialist practice advising a broad client base of trustees, employers and pension scheme providers. The team delivers pragmatic, commercially focused advice across all aspects of pensions law, including scheme governance, regulatory compliance, risk management, and pensions issues arising in corporate transactions. The team works closely with colleagues across corporate, employment and litigation to provide seamless, full-service support to clients.

We are seeking a 1-3 PQE Associate to join our Pensions team. This is an excellent opportunity for an Associate to develop their career within a highly regarded team in a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment.

Responsibilities

Supporting partners and senior lawyers on a wide range of pensions & life assurance matters, including advisory, transactional, and regulatory work
Advising trustee and employer clients on day-to-day pension scheme & life assurance scheme issues, including scheme governance, benefit structures, and compliance
Assisting with pensions aspects of corporate transactions, including due diligence and drafting pensions-related documentation
Drafting and reviewing scheme documentation, member communications, and legal advice notes
Conducting legal research and staying up to date with pensions law developments and regulatory changes
Participating in client meetings and contributing to delivering practical, client-focused solutions
Supporting business development activities, including preparing pitches and contributing to thought leadership

Essential & Desirable Criteria

Qualified solicitor in England & Wales with up to 3 years’ PQE, with exposure to pensions law
Strong technical and analytical skills with keen attention to detail
Commercial awareness and the ability to understand clients’ business objectives
Excellent drafting and communication skills
A proactive and organised approach with the ability to manage competing priorities
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with colleagues and clients
Commitment to professional development and a genuine interest in pensions law
Enthusiastic and eager to learn within a specialist area of law

Collaborative team player aligned with the firm’s values
Professional, client-focused, and committed to delivering high-quality work
Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment

The firm operates a hybrid agile working policy allowing employees to work from home (or another UK location) for at least 50% of their time. Individuals can however apply for other flexible working options either at the time of recruitment or during the course of their employment if desired.

At our firm, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a priority and at the heart of everything we do. We actively want to attract a diverse workforce and welcome applications from everyone, from all backgrounds. We are committed to promoting an inclusive culture where everyone can be their full selves and experience being seen and heard. You can find out more about our firm’s commitment, initiatives and Pennclusion committees here.We ensure that there are equal opportunities and treatment for all job applicants and employees, at all stages of the recruitment process and employment, regardless of age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and social background. We aim to provide adjustments for people who have a disability, long-term health condition (including mental health) or neurodiversity. If you would like to request an adjustment, please contact [email protected]

About the company

Penningtons Manches Cooper is a UK and international law firm offering business and private client legal services. It operates from offices across the UK and via an overseas network in Singapore, Piraeus, Paris and Madrid, handling dispute resolution, corporate and commercial, real estate, private client and family matters. The firm is known for strengths in private wealth, shipping, technology and property, with additional expertise in life sciences, education, retail, sports and entertainment, and international trade. Its aim is to deliver high-quality advice and build long-term client relationships through cross-border capability and collaboration with global networks.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Founded

N/A

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

2025-26 revenue reached £125.7 million, confirming demand across core practices.
Robert Dransfield joined in March 2026, strengthening high-value medical negligence litigation.
One Nucleus renewed in August 2026, preserving life sciences pipeline and referrals.

What critics are saying

Rachel Yao's Singapore platform depends on regulatory approval and immediate deal flow.
Private wealth, trade finance, and shipping expansions stretch management across three geographies.
A Singapore misfire would blunt international ambitions and leave hiring costs unrecovered.

What makes Penningtons Manches Cooper unique

Seventeen straight growth years and £125.7 million revenue anchor Penningtons Manches Cooper's platform.
Private wealth expansion into Singapore with Rachel Yao targets cross-border Asian families.
Deep sector focus in life sciences, medical negligence, and shipping supports specialist origination.

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Benefits

Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options
Flexible Work Hours

Company News

Caproasia

Sep 7th, 2026

UK law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper launches Private Wealth practice in Asia & hires Carey Olsen Rachel Yao as Partner & Head of Private Wealth Asia based in Singapore.

UK law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper launches Private Wealth practice in Asia & hires Carey Olsen Rachel Yao as Partner & Head of Private Wealth Asia based in Singapore. Sep 7, 2026 7th September 2026 | Hong Kong UK law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper has launched a private wealth practice in Asia, and hires Carey Olsen Rachel Yao as Partner & Head of Private Wealth Asia based in Singapore. Announcement: "Penningtons Manches Cooper is launching its first private wealth practice outside the UK, led by incoming Singapore-based partner and Head of Private Wealth (Asia) Rachel Yao. Her appointment, subject to standard regulatory approval, marks a significant step in the firm's private wealth group strategy, expanding its capabilities in one of the world's most important and fastest-growing private wealth centres. Rachel joins from Carey Olsen, where she led the firm's trusts and private wealth practice in Asia. She brings extensive experience advising high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, families, family offices, professional trustees and private banks across the Asia-Pacific region on complex cross-border wealth structuring, succession planning, trusts, philanthropy and family governance matters. Prior to joining Carey Olsen, Rachel spent nine years with Taylor Wessing in the Shanghai and London offices, where she led the firm's international private wealth practice in Greater China. Rachel advises on a wide range of private wealth matters, including family wealth preservation, global asset allocation, trust establishment and restructuring, philanthropy, charitable structures and foundations. She is particularly known for co-ordinating sophisticated multi-jurisdictional advice for internationally mobile families and business owners. She is recognised as the only native Chinese Mandarin-speaking trusts and private wealth lawyer based in Singapore who specialises in offshore law. Her client base includes prominent entrepreneurial families and business owners from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and across Southeast Asia. Rachel serves on the Committee of the Singapore branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). She is admitted to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and the People's Republic of China, and is a Registered Associate in Bermuda and a registered foreign lawyer in Singapore." "UK law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper launches Private Wealth practice in Asia & hires Carey Olsen Rachel Yao as Partner & Head of Private Wealth Asia based in Singapore"

TXF

Aug 21st, 2026

Stephenson Harwood hires Penningtons finance partner.

Stephenson Harwood hires Penningtons finance partner. Asia-Pacific Stephenson Harwood has hired Zhi Chao Chor as a partner in Singapore, pending regulatory approval, strengthening its finance practice with structured commodity, trade and energy transition expertise. Chor joins from Penningtons Manches Cooper after just over a year at that firm. He has more than 15... Exclusive subscriber content... Not yet a subscriber? Join TXF Limited today to continue accessing content without any restrictions Or to request access to TXF Intelligence contact TXF Limited

One Nucleus

Aug 18th, 2026

Penningtons Manches Cooper renews partnership with One Nucleus.

Penningtons Manches Cooper renews partnership with One Nucleus. Cambridge UK: 18 August 2026 Penningtons Manches Cooper has renewed its partnership with One Nucleus. The One Nucleus Partner Programme is tailor-made to meet the needs of the One Nucleus Members, the Partner and One Nucleus in delivering on its core remit of supporting innovation. Rachel Bradley, Partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper commented: "Our long-standing relationship with One Nucleus reflects our shared commitment to supporting the success of innovative life sciences businesses. We are pleased to renew our partnership and continue engaging with a community that is driving scientific and technological advances with real-world impact. One Nucleus provides an invaluable platform for connecting industry leaders, investors, advisers and entrepreneurs, and we are proud to contribute our sector knowledge and legal expertise to that network. We look forward to building on the strong relationships developed through the partnership and supporting members as they navigate their growth journeys." Tony Jones, CEO of One Nucleus expands further 'We are delighted to renew our long-standing collaboration with Penningtons Manches Cooper through the One Nucleus Partner Programme. A key part of our role is to signpost members to trusted advisors who can support them at critical stages of their growth, and this partnership helps create an environment where those conversations can take place, connecting our community to the firm's specialist expertise across intellectual property, corporate, and commercial law. In turn, it provides Penningtons Manches Cooper with ongoing opportunities to develop and deepen relationships with innovative life science organisations, while maintaining insight into their evolving needs and challenges," About Penningtons Manches Cooper Penningtons Manches Cooper is a leading UK and international law firm with a strong reputation in the life sciences, healthcare and technology sectors. The firm advises clients ranging from start-ups, spin-outs and investors to established multinational businesses on a full range of legal matters, including intellectual property, corporate transactions, commercial agreements, regulatory issues, employment and dispute resolution. Through its sector-focused approach and deep industry knowledge, the firm helps innovative organisations achieve their commercial objectives and navigate complex legal challenges. About One Nucleus One Nucleus's vision is to supercharge bio-innovation. Its mission is to inspire, inform, and implement by connecting bio-innovation leaders and their companies with knowledge, investment, and deal-flow opportunities in a capital-efficient way, supporting organisations from start-up through to exit. As a not-for-profit life science membership organisation, One Nucleus brings together stakeholders from across the sector to help them achieve their aspirations on the global stage. Media Contact Information:

Insurance Nerds

Aug 8th, 2026

Tech London Advocates FinTech & InsurTech open mic live

Tech London Advocates FinTech & InsurTech open mic live Penningtons Manches Cooper Hosts Open Mic Event at FinTech Week London 2026 Law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper is set to host the Tech London Advocates FinTech & InsurTech Open Mic Live event during the upcoming FinTech Week London 2026. The event is part of the week-long series of activities focused on financial technology innovations in the UK capital. Original Source: https://www.penningtonslaw.com/events/tech-london-advocates-fintech-insurtech-open-mic-live/

Newsquest

Mar 5th, 2026

Strategic partner hire boosts Penningtons Manches Cooper's medical negligence practice

Strategic partner hire boosts Penningtons Manches Cooper's medical negligence practice. By News desk Published On: 5 March 2026 Leading law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper is delighted to announce the appointment of Robert dransfield as a partner in its nationally recognised personal injury and medical negligence team. Based in the London office, he will focus on complex and high value medical negligence claims, further strengthening the firm's well established reputation in this area. Robert joins from Stewarts where he was a medical negligence partner between 2007 and 2025. He has particular expertise in major spinal cord injury and cauda equina syndrome claims, and is also very experienced in brain injury, oncology, infection and amputee claims, particularly those valued at in excess of £1 million. Widely respected by both clients and his peers, Robert is a specialist panel member of Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA), the UK charity for patient safety and justice, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, and an Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) practitioner. He is recommended by both Legal 500 and Chambers UK, where he is described as 'an exceptional individual' and 'a master tactician, always one step ahead'. Led by partner Philippa Luscombe, Penningtons Manches Cooper's team of over 40 personal injury and medical negligence specialists is known for a combination of high quality technical expertise and client focused service to individuals and their families across the UK. It consistently achieves band 1 rankings in both the leading legal directories and is also commended in The Times Best Law Firms list. For the 2025/26 financial year, the team is expecting to see a 10 per cent increase in turnover. Commenting on Robert's arrival, Philippa said: "This is an important strategic appointment as we look to further enhance the capability of our London medical negligence practice, particularly in high value work and the delivery of exceptional client care. "Robert is exactly the individual we hoped to find - not only because of his unquestionable expertise, but also his commitment to his clients and his thoughtful, meticulous approach. "He is an excellent fit for our team - in terms of his personality, technical ability and reputation - and we are thrilled to welcome him." Robert added: "It is a privilege to join such a well-regarded national practice. "My work will remain centred on advocating for clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries, with particular emphasis on complex cauda equina syndrome claims and life-changing brain and spinal cord injury cases. "Penningtons Manches Cooper has strong specialist teams in all my key areas of focus, and I have long been genuinely impressed by its reputation in the sector. "I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting the team so far and feel that the firm's collegiate and collaborative culture aligns extremely well with my own approach."

Penningtons Manches Cooper

Pensions Associate

About the job