Penningtons Manches Cooper establishes a hub in the South of France

Posted: 19/11/2024

Leading UK law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper is delighted to announce its entry into the South of France as it sets up a hub in Antibes, enabling direct access to the high-growth Mediterranean yacht sector and wider maritime industries.

The venture is led by partner Christophe Hunkeler, who heads the firm’s office in Paris, together with Dani Allan, Paris partner and a dual-qualified English/French lawyer. In making the move, Penningtons Manches Cooper will become one of a very small number of UK-headquartered law firms with a significant maritime practice to have an on-the-ground presence in the region.

Not only does the new hub provide opportunities in the yacht sector and with allied businesses, it also complements the strengths of the Paris office in naval architect construction disputes and court-led investigations, which pair well with disputes arising from yacht construction, refit and services works undertaken by the many local yards in the area.

Christophe Hunkeler says: “Responding to client demand and pursuing organic growth through building upon our core sector strengths is integral to the firm’s strategy. The yacht market in France has experienced impressive growth in the last decade, in tandem with the huge growth seen internationally. Our lawyers in Paris regularly visit the region, and talking to our clients and referrers, we could see there was a clear benefit to having a hub in Antibes so we can continue to deliver complex work to more clients.”

Sarah Allan, who leads the firm’s specialist yacht team commented: “It is such a significant step to add to our international network a base in Antibes, the heartland of the superyacht industry in the Mediterranean.  We believe it makes a real difference being in situ and look forward to the opportunities that this expansion brings for us and our clients”.

Penningtons Manches Cooper’s CEO Helen Drayton said: “Our international strategy is to be where our clients need us. A physical presence in Antibes consolidates our ability to service our clients in the yacht and broader maritime industries across Europe, from Piraeus to Madrid and Paris, and will also play to our strengths in other sectors, notably in private wealth, and also real estate, corporate, employment, immigration and insurance.”

Return to news headlines