James Went > Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP > Oxford, England > Lawyer Profile

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
9400 GARSINGTON ROAD
OXFORD BUSINESS PARK
OXFORD
OX4 2HN
England
James Went photo

Work Department

Corporate

Position

Corporate lawyer specialising in advising life sciences and technology companies. His transactional work includes acquisitions and disposals, often with an international element; university spin-outs; venture capital funding transactions; joint ventures; corporate restructuring and re-organisations. He works with companies at all stages of their life cycle and many clients are spin-outs from the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and other universities and technology transfer organisations, who he works with on a long-term basis.

Career

Where trained: Biddle
Year qualified: 2000
Year made partner in present firm: 2016
Trained at Biddle. Joined Manches in 2001. Became a partner at Penningtons Manches in 2016.

Education

Main secondary school attended: Sullivan Upper School

Universities and colleges attended: Lincoln College, Oxford 1994 – 1997 (BA (Hons) Jurisprudence, First Class); Christ’s College, Cambridge 2000-2001 (LLM).

Lawyer Rankings

South East > Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M40

(Leading partners)

James WentPenningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP maintains a strong offering in venture capital, working with a growing roster of tech and life sciences companies. Will Axtell is capable of managing multi-faceted and high-value mandates, with a particular specialism in M&A, venture capital funding rounds and spin-outs, while James Went is noted for his prowess in the realm of corporate transactions. Venture capital expert Kathy Potter further enhances the firm’s bench offering, and Dominique Sabatini holds a wealth of experience in spin-out and venture capital matters.

London > Corporate and commercial > Venture capital

Demonstrating considerable strength in the life sciences and tech industries, the Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP team is praised for its ‘collaborative approach‘ handling early-stage fundraisings, growth capital funding initiatives, and seed financing. Global corporate head Matthew Martin operates out of London, while Oxford-based venture capital lead James Went has expertise in initial spin-outs and exit transactions. Also in Oxford, Will Axtell routinely supports entrepreneurs and growth companies in the life sciences arena. Oxford-based Kathy Potter draws superlative praise from clients for her work at the intersection of tax and VC matters.