Bird & Bird LLP is home to a large team centred around practice head Phil Sherrell, a renowned litigator in the content and brands space, and is deeply entrenched in several sectors of the broader media and entertainment industry. Will Deller heads up the firm's interactive entertainment division, whereas Richard McMorris leads the team in matters relating to broadcasting. The marketing side is led jointly by Craig Giles and Alex Dixie. Simon Fielder and Bryony Hurst head teams handling corporate issues in the space and social media respectively. Finally, Rebecca O’kelly-Gillard is a key contact for copyright issues.

Boutique firm Clintons is a go-to for clients from the entertainment, digital media, and creative industries. The firm is home to a strong theatre practice led by James Jones, with John Cohen being another key contact; a film & TV division handling complex rights transactions and financing matters and led by Kami Naghdi who works closely with associate Luke Gornell; and a media rights acquisition team headed by Charles Gerada. The firm’s music division is split between contentious and non-contentious work, with Andrew Sharland heading up the litigation side and Berkeley Edwards leading the team on commercial matters. Andrew Myers is an experienced commercial representative of musical talent whereas David Griffiths comes recommended for his contentious practice.

The team at CMS has a knowledge base that is 'second to none' and is a go-to firm for clients operating in film & TV as well as advertising and marketing. Victoria Gaskell and Paul Guite jointly head up the practice. Whereas the former focuses on advising on commercial and regulatory issues, Guite guides companies through corporate transactions in the space. In a recent highlight the two assisted Asacha Media in its acquisition of majority stakes in Red Planet Pictures and WAG Entertainment. John Enser continues to be a go-to practitioner in cases regarding digital platforms and music industry issues. Another expert on platform-related matters is Selina Potter, particularly on the broadcasting side. Charles Kerrigan is a specialist in blockchain and media finance, an area where Rebekah Hayes is another key contact at the firm.

DLA Piper is a go-to firm for key players in the sports industry to handle their media rights and is additionally home to a noteworthy interactive entertainment practice. The team is led by Nick Fitzpatrick, who has a broad practice which he employs in service of an equally broad range of clients such as LEGO which he advises on all issues pertaining to its audiovisual content. Duncan Calow handles matters pertaining to technology and e-commerce with particularly noteworthy expertise pertaining to interactive entertainment. Claire Sng comes recommended for her expertise in advertising and regulation thereof.

Farrer & Co is a go-to firm for publishing matters, particularly for news organizations and academic publishers. On the commercial side, practice head Paul Jones regularly takes the lead, advising publishers as well as broadcasters and rights owners. Jones has recently been highly involved in digitization matters for his clients. David Morgan has a broad practice, with expertise in publishing, broadcasting, and advertising. Henry Sainty is an established figure in the space, acting for clients such as Bauer Media, Yell, and Sage Publications and assists clients in the sports' sector with media law issues.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP demonstrates deep expertise across a wide range of various media industries. For example, the firm acted for Mav Studios on financing arrangements for a feature film with Matthew Vaughn, and advised ATC on its IPO on the Aquis Stock Exchange. On advertising Sacha Wilson and Michael Lister  lead the team, whereas Sarah Lazarides is responsible for the firm's film & TV group. The 'brilliant all-rounder' Kostyantyn Lobov heads up the video games division jointly with Mark Phillips . Abigail Payne takes the lead on media finance matters, Kieran Jay on music. A highly esteemed individual in publishing, Shireen Peermohamed heads the corresponding practice. And finally, Neil Adleman is the go-to contact at the firm for theatre clients.

A market leader across the entire spectrum of media and entertainment, Lee & Thompson LLP is home to specialists from every sector. On advertising & marketing, Dominic Bray and Huw Morris co-head the team, focusing their practice on dispute resolution and social media respectively. Fellow co-head Christos Michaels is an expert on all matters film whereas co-head Richard Lever heads up the firm’s television branch. The departments additionally benefit from co-head Nicki Parfitt ’s extensive expertise across both sectors. An expert in interactive content issues, co-head Julian Ward recently advised Lockwood Publishing on licensing music for a video game based in the metaverse. Finally, clients from the music industry may rely on co-head Lawrence Engel to counsel them in all non-contentious matters. Further noteworthy for their capabilities in matters pertaining to film/TV are managing partner Reno Antoniades, Sam Tatton-Brown , and Antony Swiatek. In the firm's music practice Lizzie Payne-James stands out for her remarkable track-record on advising artists breaking into the UK grime scene. Tim Fowler is another key contact in the music department, especially for contractual matters.

Lewis Silkin is widely regarded as a leading firm in advertising and marketing, handling matters for both regulatory bodies and key players such as Havas. Additionally, the firm represents clients in the performing arts, publishing, interactive entertainment, and social media spheres. The team is co-headed by Cliff Fluet, Russell Brimelow, and Brinsley Dresden. Geraint Lloyd-Taylor serves as deputy head of the firm’s advertising and marketing practice and in a recent highlight counselled Snap Inc on its advertising policies regarding issues such as gambling. For theatrical productions, Jeremy Summers is a key contact within the team whereas Alan Hunt is a specialist in matters surrounding the protection and exploitation of IP rights. Finally, Jo Farmer comes particularly recommended for her expertise in media buying and financing agreements.

With ‘unparalleled experience in advising media companies‘ Osborne Clarke LLP is a go-to firm in the advertising and marketing space and additionally handles broadcasting, digital content, and interactive entertainment with a focus on digital transformation. On the litigation side, Ashley Hurst heads up the team and John Davidson-Kelly leads on non-contentious work, he has particularly extensive expertise regarding online platforms and their licensing schemes. Their team includes advertising expert Anna Williams who further heads up the firm’s offering in the Thames Valley. Mary Lawrence is a specialist on the intersection of media and health and safety as evidenced by her advising the Advertising Producers Association on drafting Covid-19 guidelines for the TV production industry.

Reed Smith LLP has a broad media & entertainment offering, handling both contentious and non-contentious matters in music, interactive entertainment, film & TV as well as adtech, and social media. Co-head of the global entertainment group Gregor Pryor is a specialist in issues arising in content, from creation to distribution and exploitation. Stephen Edwards is an expert in the laws governing copyright and broadcasting and advises rights holders in a variety of sectors including publishing, music, and sports. On matters pertaining to film& TV financing, Michael Maxtone-Smith is a key name at the firm. Ingrid Silver has left the firm to join the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as general counsel.

RPC is characterized by a practice built broadly on the pillars of publishing, advertising and video games. Noteworthy are a strong contentious practice in reputation management as well as a focus on advising organizers of eSports events. Co-head Oliver Bray is a specialist in advertising law and a go-to counsel for large, platform-based tech companies such as Google and Meta. Bray`s fellow co-head Keith Mathieson regularly acts for large publishers; for example, he has been representing The Financial Times and Tom Burgis in a high-profile libel claim brought by ENRC. A key contact at the firm for reputation management is Rupert Cowper-Coles .

Deeply ingrained in the music industry, Russells Solicitors is a go-to market leader for record companies, publishers, producers, established and up-and-coming artists. Practice co-head Gavin Maude primarily works with artists and industry executives and focuses on emerging talent. The contentious side is headed up by Steven Tregear who leads a team of ‘top notch litigators‘ and predominantly handles copyright infringement, contractual, and audit claims. Also in the leadership team is Simon Esplen who represents a wide variety of industry players on commercial and contractual matters. Chris Gossage leads the firm’s corporate department and recently evidenced his strength in transactions by handling Kobalt Music Royalty Fund II’s catalogue sale to Chord Music. Another specialist for emerging talent is Jo Brittain whereas Ryan Vince focuses on long-term relationships between established artists and record companies. Senior consultant Chris Organ has a varied practice working in the wider field of media & entertainment. John Reid has now moved to Level.

Sheridans provides a 'highly tailored and relevant service' to household names from several industries such as film & TV, broadcasting, music, theatre,  and clients may additionally benefit from the firms extensive expertise in handling matters arising from social media and branding. Renowned practitioner Peter McInerney heads the film TV & broadcasting department but has a wide practice crossing over into sports and theatre. In cases concerning broadcasting and content distribution, Jeremy Roberts takes the lead. James Kay heads the team in media finance matters, Tahir Basheer on the branding side, and adjacently, Christiana Loizides manages the firm's trademark practice. Another expert on the film side, Nick Mahara recently represented Ricky Gervais on the production and financing of the comedian's latest live stand-up tour. Particularly noteworthy for their expertise in video games are Alex Chapman and Tim Davies. Their team is headed jointly by Chapman and Alex Tutty, whereas Stephen Luckman leads the music practice.

With clients such as Universal Music, ATC Management, Wizarding World, and Bronte Film and Television, Simkins LLP represents players across a substantial part of the media and entertainment industry. Practice head Euan Lawson  is a go-to adviser for issues arising around live events, social media, and taxation of talent. On the contentious side, Paddy Gardiner is a heavy-hitting litigator, particularly in music matters. For their commercially-oriented practice, Ed Baden-Powell and Caroline Copeland come recommended. Jonathan Blair  is an expert on film & TV production and has recently advised clients such as Dayout Productions and Stonehouse Productions on the financing, development, and production of several projects. Within the firm’s music division, partner Tom Iverson is a strong litigator and partner Ed Weidman an expert on the non-contentious aspects of the industry.

Described as the ´best in class`, Simons Muirhead Burton is jointly led by Simon Goldberg and Razwana Akram on the film & TV side. Richard Baskind  leads on music, representing independent songwriters such as Nick Cave, independent record labels, and industry executives. Martin Soames heads up the publishing division and acts for key players in the sector such as Penguin Books. Associate Blaise Gaymer from the firm's film & TV department regularly leads the team together with Goldberg on matters such as the representation of Neon Films and Chris Atkins. Jonny Petch has recently left the firm to join the music department at Bray & Krais, Solicitors.

The team at Wiggin LLP 'set the gold standard when it comes to media law'. Charles Moore and David Quli head up the film & television division, Paul Gardner the interactive entertainment team, Rachel Alexander and Alexander Ross jointly lead on music, and Ross together with Adrian Jones and Caroline Kean additionally co-heads the publishing department. For their extensive expertise pertaining to the television sector and large Hollywood productions respectively, Neil Gillard , Medwyn Jones , and Chris Hanson come recommended. Sarah MacDonald leads the firm's advertising, marketing and sponsorship team and is a specialist on regulatory issues. Additionally noteworthy is Sean James ' practice focused on content exploitation via media platforms and Daniel Whybrew is another key name in film financing.

Ben Allgrove heads up the regulatory, IP and privacy litigation division of Baker McKenzie, together with fellow co-head William Holder who handles production, publishing, and M&A deals in the media sphere. The firm represents large broadcasters and tech giants in the interactive and immersive content matters, film/TV production, and music. On the contentious side, consultant Nadia Banno leads the team in defence of the BBC in the defamation claim arising out of its panorama program. Additionally, associate John Groom comes particularly recommended for his expertise in intermediary liability, social media, and content distribution.

Led by the go-to lawyer for the Advertising Standards Authority, Rupert Earle , Bates Wells positions itself as a full-service firm for media and entertainment spanning a variety of sub-sectors including film & TV and theatre, working for cultural organizations and sector bodies. On the latter, Erica Crump leads the team; she provides general legal support to the English National Opera.

The ´top-tier music industry experts` at Bray & Krais, Solicitors represent high-profile artists and industry organizations in both non-contentious matters and a varuiety of litigation. Founding partners Richard Bray and Mark Krais are renowned in the market, particularly for their expertise in contractual matters with multi-jurisdictional elements and their proficiency regarding international live events respectively. Fellow practice co-head Simon Dixon focuses his practice on up-and-coming artists breaking into the industry. Clients rely on Simon Goodbody for all contentious music matters, where he leads the team. The firm has recently welcomed Jonny Petch from Simons Muirhead Burton whose commercially driven music practice further deepens the team´s expertise.

The practice at Bristows LLP rests firmly on its pillars of advertising, brand protection, and film/TV production where it represents clients from these sub-sectors in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Mark Watts leads the team together with Paul Jordan , a renowned expert on issues arising around advertising and brand protection. Their team includes associate Andrew Butcher who looks after clients such as The Guardian News and Media and ITV on marketing matters.

Jason Saiban leads the team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, a firm that advises clients on film & TV, interactive content, and advertising & marketing with a notable sports practice as well as expertise in advising on competition law issues arising in media and entertainment. Duncan Lamont has a 'wealth of experience across all aspects of the Media world' and predominantly advises TV broadcasters, producers, celebrities, and journalists. Noteworthy for his expertise in the exploitation of content is associate Richard Davies who recently led the team in acting for Bowers & Wilkins on several collaborative projects including events at Soho House.

A broad offering across media and entertainment, delivered from a tech-heavy angle defines the practice at Deloitte Legal which serves a diverse client base including Thomson Reuters, DAZN, and Sky. The team was significantly boosted by the acquisition of Kemp Little in early 2021; on the corporate side, co-head Andy Moseby takes the lead, he is a specialist in advising media companies on exits. Co-head Calum Murray advises on commercial and regulatory matters, particularly focusing on the internet and clients operating a digital business. The leadership trio is completed by Paul Garland, who leads the team on IP-centric work. Another specialist in issues arising from IP and the internet is Joanna Conway who is particularly noteworthy for her expertise in digital content risk and online harm. Associate Emily Nuttall-Wood comes recommended for her work on the intersection of IP rights and advertising.

Film & TV production and advertising are the two key pillars of the practice at Fieldfisher. Co-heads Stephen Saltzman and Tim Johnson have ‘second to none‘ expertise in acting for major production studios such as Legendary Pictures across multiple projects and jurisdictions. Fellow co-head David Bond leads the firm’s offering in advertising and was a key player in drafting the industry framework for media buying in association with the ISBA. Additionally noteworthy is Derek Hill‘s media focused tax practice, he recently represented members of Eclipse Film in a settlement against the HMRC concerning leveraged film finance schemes.

´One-of-a-kind` partner Hayley Brady leads the broad music and entertainment practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP which represents key players across industries such as Sky, Hipgnosis, Penguin Random House, and Reddit. Corporate managing partner Stephen Wilkinson has a track record of big-ticket M&A work for film and TV companies, including Sky, while Stephen Wisking handles regulatory and competition issues and is a key contact at the firm for litigation in the space. Alan Watts is another disputes expert; he heads up the global class actions and UK commercial litigation teams.

'Media heavyweight' Mark Stephens co-heads the broad media & entertainment practice at Howard Kennedy LLP, where he focuses his expertise on international and regulatory matters. Robert Lands leads alongside Stephens and is a specialist on the intersection of IP and data protection as they pertain to the creative industries. The firm's advertising offering is spearheaded by Alex Watt who advises companies on licensing, franchising, publishing, and various forms of gaming. On the contentious side, particularly for her work on matters pertaining to reputation management, privacy, data protection, and freedom of speech, Elizabeth Morley is a key contact at the firm.

The London team at Latham & Watkins operates as a part of the US firm's global offering, advising a broad roaster of key players across the media & entertainment sector on commercial and corporate transactions, disputes, and their IP portfolios. Renowned practitioner and practice head Lisbeth Savill continues to act on the forefront of industry-shaping matters, such as KKR's acquisition of music catalogues from Kobalt. Rachael Astin works closely with Savill, handling distribution and broadcasting deals, M&A transactions, and new media regulatory issues arising from emerging companies.

Taylor Wessing LLP is highly active in matters relating to platforms and DSPs as well as advising video game companies and clients from various sectors on advertising regulation. Mark Owen co-heads the team together with Adam Rendle and is an expert in 'soft' IP law, focusing on IP strategy, exploitation, and protection. Rendle guides companies through the entire lifecycle of their media assets and assists clients in contentious matters pertaining thereto.  In addition to his IP expertise, clients may rely on Niri Shanmuganathan for issues surrounding data in the media & entertainment sector.

Hamlins LLP has longstanding relationships with UK music collecting societies and the touring industry, as well as a niche specialism in handling matters pertaining to merchandise. The firm’s music side is headed by Martin Ochs who recently acted for George Lowden Guitars in its collaboration with Ed Sheeran. Christopher Hutchings leads the overall media offering and has a reflectively broad practice. Additionally, clients can rely on the team’s extensive expertise in reputation management and defamation, most notably practised by Callum Galbraith and Simon Gallant.

With a diverse group of advisers handling matters across the entirety of the media & entertainment sector, Keystone Law’s 'breadth of work is its USP’. Gerard Cukier, Nick Weaser, and Lawrence Abramson are key names for music clients, with the latter recently representing Drive-Thru Records and War Road Music in a claim brought by Ditto. Nicola Thatcher comes highly recommended for her expertise in matters pertaining to publishers, especially pre-publication issues.

Mayer Brown International LLP has a track record of expertly handling large corporate transactions, as well as the the IP involved in such deals. The firm also handles disputes in the media space and advises film/TV studios on legal issues arising out of production. Miles Robinson heads up the department and focuses his practice on disputes arising out of contracts and commercial matters which regularly involve multiple jurisdictions. Highly active on the contentious side, James Whitaker regularly represents players in the film and television industries and is one of the firm's key contacts for charities in the space.

Handling both non-contentious matters and a range of litigation, the Travers Smith LLP team around Richard Brown and Dan Reavill also advises players in the publishing, social media, advertising, and film/TV sectors on the strategic release of new products on the market.

Nick Miller and Sue Charles jointly head the department at ACK Media Law LLP, which represents a variety of production companies such as Rise Film and Lupus Films as well as assisting writers such as EL James and Neil Gaiman with the transformation of their literary work into television series. Charles focuses her expertise on reputation management, rights of privacy, and defamation whereas Miller is very active in media finance.

The team at Bindmans LLP focus their expertise on representing both claimants and defendants in high-stakes media cases, with special expertise in matters pertaining to defamation, privacy, and data protection, regularly acting in high-profile, headline-making cases. 'Legendary media lawyer' Tamsin Allen leads the team and advises publishers, NGOs, authors, and individual journalists. The strength of Allen's team has been bolstered by the recent arrival of Monika Sobiecki , a trained data protection and cyber security barrister with a focus on digital rights protection.

Jeremy Dickerson , an expert in matters pertaining to film and TV, heads up the team at Burges Salmon LLP, which advises major production studios and broadcasters as well as general media and music clients and handles advertising for retailers and broadcasters. Highly active in the firm, Helen Scott-Lawler has a broad non-contentious media practice, advising clients on commercial contracts, advertising, marketing, brand protection, and sponsoring. Emily Roberts is particularly recommended for her expertise in contentious matters.

Specialists in advertising, the team at Gowling WLG act for household names from various industries including the Volkswagen Group, Carlsberg Marstons, and Nomad Foods both on non-contentious matters and proceedings before the Advertising Standards Authority. A recognized expert in his field, Dan Smith heads the practice and has recently advised Audi in connection with multiple advertising projects concerning the client's electronic vehicles. Kate Swaine co-heads the firm's global intellectual property practice and is a specialist in clearance and enforcement of brands, advertising, and designs.

David Hansel and Tom Henson lead the boutique firm Hansel Henson and focus their expertise exclusively on digital media and IP law. Henson has expertise with regards to the commercial exploitation of his clients' offerings whereas Hansel acts on matters concerning converging technologies and digital advertising. Sarah Wells handles a range of contractual work, including matters concerning app development, marketing, and social media influencers. In a recent highlight the three worked together in advising LipSync on various film financing deals.

Weightmans LLP's media & entertainment practice has a strong IT angle, advising media companies on a range of commercial matters. On the commercial side, the team is led from Liverpool by Sean Crotty who focuses his expertise on agreements pertaining to interactive entertainment, talent rights, and the music industry. Managing partner John Schorah is deeply ingrained into the interactive entertainment sector where he advises clients on both corporate and commercial matters.

National firm Browne Jacobson LLP has a strong brand protection practice, and also advises on advertising, sponsorship and has recently been highly involved in work for companies producing sets and utilities for film & TV production. A specialist in brand protection matters, Declan Cushley heads up the team from London - he has served as in-house counsel for Iconic London on all their advertising and influencer matters.

Music industry bodies such as PPL, VPL, and PRS entrust GSC Solicitors LLP to act for them on a variety of matters, whereas other clients come to the firm for its expertise in advertising and branding. Practice head Justin Goldspink leverages his expertise as a barrister to represent clients in music, copyright, and branding litigation.

Described as ‘personable lawyers who work tirelessly‘ Level‘s practice services a wide variety of clients on matters pertaining to music, film, and performing arts. Jennifer Parker has extensive experience in advising on matters arising in film & TV and has recently been involved extensively in the production of documentaries. On the music side of the practice, Halina Wielogorska is focusing on working entrepreneurs in the space as evidenced by her acting for Premier League Football Club Wolverhampton Wanderers on setting up their own record label. Employment specialist Elizabeth Johnson joined the firm in May 2022. John Reid has now joined from Russells Solicitors.

Mishcon de Reya LLP is home to a strong advertising-focused practice, handling matters pertaining to sponsorship, endorsements, and general advertising and marketing matters. Recently, practice head Lewis Cohen has been highly active in NFT arrangements alongside his advising relating to influencers, licensing, and collaboration. Sports head Simon Leaf comes particularly recommended for his work pertaining to broadcasters and the Advertising Standards Authority, especially on the regulatory side.

A go-to firm for sports clients, Northridge Law LLP operates at the intersection of sports and media; Ian Lynam leads the team acting as a key adviser to clients including Roc Nation. Jon Walters heads up the non-contentious media practice and is a specialist in matters pertaining to sponsorship, digital media, and marketing regulation. Further, Jamie Feldman comes particularly recommended for his expertise in employment in media & entertainment.

The 'highly qualified' Mark Smith leads the team at Purdy Smith; he focuses his practice on advising clients on issues arising in advertising as well as complementary areas such as data protection and e-commerce. He recently counselled Expedia on the engagement of talent for the company's marketing campaigns.

With 'outstanding negotiating skills' Sound Advice (Legal) LLP focuses on representing the talent side of music in non-contentious matters. An established representative of high-profile artists, Robert Horsfall leads the team and acts as an anchor for overseas artists targeting the UK and Europe. Sonia Diwan represents songwriters such as Stargate, independent labels like Naughty Records, and artists like Jonas Blue. Additionally, their team includes former DJ and A&R Jules O’Riordan who is deeply ingrained in the music industry and services clients with a broad media & entertainment practice.

Under Carolyn Burbridge 's leadership, William Grace has carved out a niche for itself in digital media advising clients such as Red Dog Ads, Audience Communications, and EMC3. She works closely with Alastair Shaw who handles contractual work and disputes for hi-tech clients.