Clintons is the first port of call to leading writers, producers and creatives thanks to its expertise in structuring deals and productions, including rights acquisitions, financing and licensing of shows to overseas producers. Specialising in advising producers, from small start-ups and mid-scale operators to some of the biggest names in the sector, James Jones heads up the theatre practice; it also includes John Cohen, who focuses on representing artists and creatives. Senior associate Stephen Pidcock is adept in all areas of theatre and live performance, including commercial, licensing and IP issues.

Farrer & Co demonstrates deep expertise in publishing matters and is a go-to advisor for leading news organisations such as the Telegraph Media Group, and academic publishers like SAGE publications, among other print and digital publishers. Practice head Paul Jones is the main contact for commercial matters, handling digitisation and contractual matters; the latter is an area in which IP and commercial expert David Morgan further excels, in addition to his broadcasting and advertising acumen. Also an established individual, Henry Sainty focuses on digital strategy and digital market regulation, commercial partnerships and data protection issues; he also assists clients in the sports sector with media issues.

With Neil Adleman, Harbottle & Lewis LLP is renowned for its strong international theatre practice and is a regular fixture on West End and Broadway productions, with a particular specialism in financing structures. Other clients include subsidised theatres and fringe producers, dance and immersive theatre production companies, drama schools, investors and charities. With Shireen Peermohamed, the firm is also known for its wide-ranging publishing expertise; she has extensive experience in IP and contractual disputes, related advisory work, and publishing agreements. The team acts for blue-chip clients like Hachette, academic publishers and rights holders, in addition to brands, bands and high-profile individuals.

Commercial and IP expert Alan Hunt heads up Lewis Silkin‘s practice, which has extensive experience across both the live entertainment and publishing industries. In the former space, the team’s workload ranges from live music to theatre, fashion shows to festivals, and exhibitions to one-off global events; clients include agents and promoters, creatives and artists, broadcasters and content suppliers, and venue owners and operators, among others. In an equal manner, the group is reputed for its advice to leading publishers and corporates on regulations, commercial contracts, brand protection and IP issues – where Simon Entwistle and managing associate JJ Shaw further excel. Consultant Jeremy Summers has wide-ranging IP expertise on both contentious and non-contentious matters.

RPC is a regular advisor to leading national and local newspapers, web and book publishers, broadcasters, magazines, tech and freelance journalists, and media liability insurers. Team head Keith Mathieson is an expert in defamation and privacy claims; he has notable expertise with regards to press regulation, having acted for Associated Newspapers throughout the Leveson Inquiry. Experienced litigator Rupert Cowper-Coles specialises in data protection disputes. Promoted to partner in mid-2022 alongside solicitor-advocate Alex Vakil, Alex Wilson is often instructed to provide pre-publication advice and has represented clients in cases before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

Simons Muirhead Burton handles both contentious and non-contentious publishing work, ranging from books to social media, across to national and international news and content providers, such as ITN and Channel 4. An expert in all areas of publishing, Martin Soames heads up the practice, which has particular expertise in pre-publication matters and litigation – areas in which data protection head Stephen Shotnes is further instructed. Senior associate Emma Linch is recommended for her clearance advice to book publishers, podcasts, online media and film production companies.

Reflective of practice head Adam Rendle‘s capabilities in the publishing sector, Taylor Wessing LLP is a regular advisor on publishing agreements, IP rights and content-related disputes. Seasoned litigator Niri Shanmuganathan is noted for his expertise in defamation, contempt and privacy matters; he provides pre-publication and post-publication advice in matters involving high-profile newspapers and political campaigns. Another name to note is senior counsel Timothy Pinto for his advice to international publishers dealing with media, IP and advertising law issues.

Wiggin LLP‘s publishing practice is well-placed to guide journalists and content creators through each stage of the publication process, from the conception of a story to defending it in high-profile litigation. In addition, thanks to the firm’s broader commercial and IP capabilities, the team can provide digital expertise to publishers transitioning to alternative forms of content, including podcasts, film and television, social media and e-commerce platforms. Recommended individuals include experienced litigators Matthew Dando, drawing on his depth of experience with commercial and contractual disputes, and Robin Shaw, who joined from Ince & Co in June 2022, and head of the firm’s renowned defamation and litigation practices Caroline Kean.

Bates Wells receives regular instructions from large and acclaimed theatres, performance companies and venues, such as the English National Opera, Royal Albert Hall and Shakespeare’s Globe, as well as foundations established by high-profile media personalities and brands. Culture and creative head Erica Crump handles branding, commercial, governance and IP issues for a range of performance and cultural organisations. Also adept in the publishing sphere, Crump co-heads the practice alongside advertising and marketing veteran Rupert Earle.

Drawing on the firm’s competition, tax and corporate teams, DLA Piper has a track record of work on e-book and digital distribution opportunities, the use of social media platforms, e-commerce, audio and non-traditional content, as well as production and print distribution, and publication disputes, among other issues. Duncan Calow is praised for his expertise in the convergent worlds of content, tech and e-commerce, with recent work including copyright licensing issues. IP expert John Wilks is a regular advisor to national broadcasters and newspaper publishers. Broadcasting specialist Nick Fitzpatrick heads up the practice.

Handling both contractual and IP matters and a range of litigation in the publishing sphere, Howard Kennedy LLP is a regular port of call for leading magazines, newspapers, book publishers, authors and literary agents. A specialist in international and regulatory matters, Mark Stephens CBE co-heads the practice with Robert Lands, an IP expert with a strong profile for his work in the publishing and broadcasting spheres. On the contentious side, Elizabeth Morley comes recommended for her expertise in reputation management, privacy and data protection, where she advises various media organisations, journalists, bloggers and publications.

Russells Solicitors has a notable offering in both the theatre and publishing sectors, with a client roster that includes individual writers, celebrities looking to negotiate book deals, household name theatre companies and producers, traditional publishers and talent management agencies. Senior associate and IP expert Sebastian Davey is an essential contact in the team, handling brand partnerships, merchandising and sponsorship matters, and the marketing and exploitation of digital content. Litigation head Steven Tregear comes recommended for defending copyright infringement, contractual and audit claims.

Claire Lewis heads up Sheridans‘ theatre group and specialises in acting for both producers and individual creatives across the entire spectrum of theatre, including structuring and investment matters. Also an established figure in this space, Peter McInerney has experience working in-house across both the broadcasting and theatre spheres. On the publishing side, Robin Hilton is the main point of contact.

With managing partner and commercial expert Euan Lawson at the helm, Simkins LLP is regularly called on for advice on theatrical matters. Elsewhere, the team - which includes transactional specialist Ben Gisbey - is well-versed in publishing mandates, including the acquisition and sale of literary rights.