Hall Of Fame

Next Generation Partners

Firms To Watch: Media and entertainment

Lewis Silkin LLP made a notable addition to its burgeoning Manchester office with the lateral hire of digital, commerce and creative specialist Laura Harper from Irwin Mitchell.

Media and entertainment in North West

Addleshaw Goddard

Addleshaw Goddard‘s advertising and marketing team advises a range of well-known clients in several sectors on matters including strategy, compliance and competition. The firm has particular strength in the retail and consumer sector and is recommended for its promotional advertising and green claims work. Key names include Jonathan Davey, who specialises in commercial media contracts, and Hayley Anderson, who has broad knowledge of social media influencer contracts, comparative advertising and ASA complaints.

Other key lawyers:

Jonathan Davey; Hayley Anderson


Testimonials

‘The team provides excellent advice in relation to contracts and issues.’

‘The AG team have been a very helpful sounding board for issues and potential issues. If something more serious arises, they have been quick to help out and advise accordingly. The advice is also very practical and not long-winded in its approach.’

‘Very approachable and practical with advice, but also when advising business teams.’

Key clients

J. Carter Sporting Club Limited T/A Castore


Zelus Sport Ltd


David Fishwick


Adanola


Work highlights


Brabners LLP

Brabners LLP‘s practice brings to bear integrated expertise in commercial and IP law, sport, and dispute resolution. The practice is particularly known for its defamation and malicious falsehood litigation work, most notably representing Coleen Rooney in the case against Rebekah Vardy. The team is jointly led by IP expert Colin Bell and experienced defamation litigator Helen Otty. Also key is Paul Lunt, who, whilst also leading the firm’s commercial team, is highly experienced in libel cases, having represented a number of well-known athletes and their families. Nick McAleenan covers data breach fallouts and multi-party reputation management matters, is a key member of the practice.

Practice head(s):

Helen Otty; Colin Bell


Other key lawyers:

Paul Lunt; Nick MacAleenan


Testimonials

‘They don’t come much stronger in the North West for depth of media law experience than the team at Brabners.’

‘Paul Lunt has stand out experience having dealt with a variety of high profile matters in recent times.’

‘Nick McAleenan is an excellent recent addition. He is always a cool and calming influence, and backed up with a great knowledge of all aspects of media law. He has a particularly strong strand of his work specific to data protection.’

Key clients

Coleen Rooney


Wayne Rooney


Ben and Deborah Stokes


Dr Riccardo Frati


Michael Vaughan


LCA Jobs Limited


Sedulo


Manchester & Sale Rugby Club Ltd


Commonwealth Games Federation


Gamino.io Limited


Triple S Sports and Entertainment Group Limited


Dark Horse Comics LLC


Chris Eubank Jr. Limited


NextGen Promotions Limited


Wasserman Media Group


Shareholders of Sentric Music Group Limited


Leighton Hall


Work highlights


  • Represented Coleen Rooney in her successful defence of the libel proceedings that were issued against her by Rebekah Vardy.
  • Advised the Commonwealth Games Federation on numerous matters, including drafting, negotiating, reviewing and advising on: the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Host Contract in Australia, as well as the Trinidad and Tobago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games Host Contract.
  • Representing LCA Jobs Limited in defamation and malicious falsehood litigation. The Supreme Court has now granted the client permission to appeal.

JMW Solicitors LLP

JMW Solicitors LLP’s practice, rated by clients as the ‘go-to firm in the region‘, is led by experienced reputation management specialist Rebecca Young . Young is described by one client as ‘the best litigator I have dealt with‘, having overseen the growth of the practice and its workload, bringing in harassment and NDA expert Katherine Mills from Clyde & Co in October 2022. Also key within the team is Oliver Wright, whose specialism is reputation management work for politicians, trade unions and the police. Technology sector and cryptocurrency specialist Jemma Fleetwood has vast experience in acting in high-profile privacy litigation. The media group also works closely with the firm’s sports practice, led by Stephen Taylor Heath. Nick McAleenan joined Brabners LLP in August 2022, contributing his knowledge of phone hacking cases and security incidents. John Burns joined the group in early 2024 from Gateley Legal, contributing his broad experience in the drafting and negotiation of IP assignments and tech development exploitation agreements.

Practice head(s):

Rebecca Young


Other key lawyers:

Jemma Fleetwood; Oliver Wright; Katherine Mills; Graham Small; Stephen Taylor-Heath; John Burns


Testimonials

‘Good strength and depth.’

‘They were prompt, responsive and clearly knowledgeable.’

‘The go to firm in the region as they have strength in depth of high quality lawyers who are seasoned litigators and great tacticians. The quality and profile of their work is testament to their strengths.’

‘Rebecca Young – the best litigator I have dealt with. She is setting the standards for others to follow. Her case preparation is phenomenal and clients love her for how much she invests in their cases.’

‘Collaboration and willingness to provide solutions that may fall wide of the scope. Excellent team to work with.’

‘Graham Small and Stephen Taylor Heath have always been there to support us. Very grateful for their help.’

‘I have had the privilege of getting to know Jemma Fleetwood and recommend her.’

Key clients

Smart Parking Ltd


United Utilities


Dr Chauhan OBE


VSL Sport Ltd


Davinia Taylor


British Woodworking Federation


Boyne Valley Ltd


British Medical Association


Police Federation


FDIS


Nadine Merabi Limited


Work highlights


  • Acted for claimants in AAA (1) BBB (2) v CCC in obtaining an interim non-disclosure injunction, through to a final injunction granted at a Summary Judgment hearing. The firm also acted in the appeal brought by the defendant, in which the claimants were successful. The firm continued to act for the claimants where the defendant subsequently breached the terms of the non-disclosure injunction and in committal proceedings.
  • Advised on a project to mint and sell NFTs featuring pixelated sections of the stadiums of Ukraine Premier League Football Clubs. The proceeds are going towards President Zelensky’s charitable foundation.
  • Acted for Riaz Ahmad OBE in a claim for libel and harassment concerning the publication of false allegations of child sexual abuse. A permanent injunction was granted following judgment on the claim, pursuant to a successful application to strike out the defence.

Pannone Corporate LLP

Pannone Corporate LLP offers a comprehensive practice, handling non-contentious issues such as sponsorship, merchandising, influencer agreements and competition law, as well as disputes involving defamation litigation, brand protection and preventative injunctions. The team is led jointly by Amy Chandler, a digital marketing specialist who leads on the firm’s non-contentious work, and reputation management expert Melanie McGuirk. Sarah Bazaraa, who focuses on the fashion sector and assists clients including Boohoo and Prettylittlething, is also integral to the team.

Practice head(s):

Amy Chandler; Melanie McGuirk


Other key lawyers:

Sarah Bazaraa


Testimonials

‘Highly professional, supportive and excellent advice.’

‘Amy Chandler has an ability to see around corners. Always delighted when she’s on my side and she’s always my first choice.’

Key clients

Boohoo.com UK Limited


Prettylittlething.com


Debenhams.com Online Limited


Iceland Foods Limited


Pets at Home Limited


Carm Productions Limited


UP Global Sourcing UK Limited


Represent Clothing Limited


Travel Insurance Facilities plc


Serotonin Digital Limited


Kip McGrath Global plc


Beauty Bay Limited


Work highlights


  • Advising a client in relation to the publication of threatened articles in two national newspapers and subsequent inaccurate reporting in the market report of a global market intelligence agency.
  • Advising Caters News Agency, an independent photo and news agency, on content licence agreements with content contributors and third-party licensees.
  • Advising a retail client in respect of a complicated brand ambassador agreement with an international sporting personality.

Centrefield LLP

Sports specialist firm Centrefield LLP actively supports athletes, institutions like the Super League and well-known sports clubs like Nottingham Forest FC and Leicester Tigers with a range of media arrangements and contractual matters. The firm has assisted with a number of Amazon’s series of documentaries covering sports clubs and athletes behind the scenes. Edward Canty and David Bentham lead the practice.

Practice head(s):

Edward Canty; David Bentham


Key clients

Super League


Focus Media Solutions


Decibel Sports Management


MetaLantis Inc


The Rugby Players’ Association


CV Technologies


Nottingham Forest Football Club


Leicester Tigers


Work highlights


  • Advised a sports star in respect of an Amazon documentary.
  • Advised MetaLantis on its arrangement with the Argentinian FA to develop a virtual digital national stadium in the metaverse.
  • Advised FMS on its arrangement to create and publish the magazine and digital content for a leading luxury car brand.

Mills & Reeve LLP

Mills & Reeve LLP‘s team is led by Richard Dawson-Gerrard, who advises on media strategy and press liaison work. Ben Reeves is noted for his vast expertise in handling defamation and malicious falsehood litigation. Sports sector work is a strong area for the practice, with major clients in this space including St. Helens RLFC and the PFA.  Saha Dehsheykhi left the firm to join Gowling WLG in September 2022.

Practice head(s):

Richard Dawson-Gerrard


Other key lawyers:

Ben Reeves


Testimonials

‘An excellent defamation and media law practice in the Midlands and the North of England. Proactive & friendly.’

‘The team are very thorough and very easy to work with. They get on with things and are great at ensuring that litigation moves forward effectively.’

‘They were highly responsive and gave excellent advice which was turned around very quickly.’

‘One thing they all had in common, and which the firm does brilliantly, is to communicate complex advice clearly and in plain English. They are also very personable to work with. I’d recommend them to anyone requiring their expertise.’

‘I have used Mills & Reeve on several occasions and found them to provide a superior service. They kept me updated at each stage of the process, provided clarity when discussing complex legal issues and ensured any questions were resolved quickly.’

Key clients

The British Boxing Board of Control


World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, Players


The Professional Footballers’ Association and members


St Helens Rugby League Football Club


Travelers Insurance Company


England Golf


Coronation Street


Work highlights


  • Advising The British Boxing Board of Control on reputation management and media issues.
  • Acting for Ajayi and Others, succeeding in their application to strike out a malicious falsehood claim in the High Court, Queens Bench Division, Media and Communications List (Parris v Ajayi & Ors [2021] EWHC 285 (QB).

Weightmans LLP

Weightmans LLP provides contractual, corporate governance and strategic support to a range of entertainment sector clients, including app developers and video game producers. Sean Crotty, a data compliance specialist, leads the team. He is supported by video games sector specialist John Schorah, who brings first-hand market experience to the practice, having worked previously as a CEO in this industry. Competition lawyer Laurence Pritchard also supports the practice.

Practice head(s):

Sean Crotty


Other key lawyers:

John Schorah; Laurence Pritchard


Testimonials

‘What stands out is their ability to keep things incredibly simple. Also, their responses are quick and timely, and they are able to cover the most important issues, showing an instant and smart understanding.’

‘Laurence Pritchard made working with Weightmans so pleasant and seamless.’

Key clients

Apadmi Limited


Swissport GB Limited


West of England Combined Authority


The Open University


PTW International Holdings Limited


Side (UK) Limited


Motor Insurers’ Bureau


DSW Ventures


Nomad Games Limited


NHS Blood & Transplant


Westlab Limited


Mercarto Limited


Cybertill Limited


Palringo Limited


Novarama Technology SRL


Work highlights


  • Advised Side (UK) Limited on a variety of voice talent and motion capture agreements with actors in relation to a number of titles.
  • Advised Apadmi Limited on corporate and commercial issues, contract review and negotiations as well as governance and strategic support.
  • Advising an automobile manufacturer in relation to a high value procurement of specialist media and entertainment equipment and services for in-car use.

Fletcher Sports Law

Building on its experience handling media matters for athletes, Fletcher Sports Law regularly oversees endorsement deals between social media influencers and major brands such as Oh Polly and Gymshark. Paul Fletcher heads the practice with his deep knowledge of sports law. Fletcher is supported by the 'thorough, technical and extremely commercial' Tom Grant, who has ample expertise in partnership deals and image rights.

Practice head(s):

Paul Fletcher


Testimonials

‘Tom Grant has carved a fantastic niche in representation and endorsement contracts for social media influencers. Does associated disputes work including defamation.’

‘The team is at the forefront of the social media influencer revolution. Their knowledge of the issues facing influencers, brands, and management is second to nobody in the market.’

‘Tom Grant is thorough, technical and extremely commercial in his approach to deals and disputes. He understands the media and entertainment business; there is very little he won’t have encountered before. He is able to get things done and is willing to fight hard for his clients.’

Key clients

Mokkingbird


Amber Gill


Ferne McCann


Mark Wright


HLD Management


Genflow Creators Agency


All Star Entertainment


Kate Ferdinanad


Work highlights


  • Advised a reality TV personality on an Oh Polly endorsement deal.
  • Advised an internet personality on a Gymshark endorsement deal.
  • Advised an internet personality on a Foot Asylum endorsement deal.

Manleys Solicitors

Manleys Solicitors is a boutique practice specialising in defamation and privacy work, frequently for high profile clients, as well as covering sports arbitration matters. The team is led by Mark Manley, a brand protection and reputation management expert and accredited mediator who is praised by clients for his 'in-depth knowledge'. Peri Mornington, who has a strong record in libel litigation, is also key.

Practice head(s):

Mark Manley


Other key lawyers:

Peri Mornington


Testimonials

‘Manleys, particularly Mark Manley, has a very impressive clientele and in-depth knowledge of media related litigation and defamation.’

‘Very measured and detailed approach. Hugely driven to provide the best outcome for client. Clear communication about progress of case.’

Key clients

R&S Records Limited


Renaat Vandepapeliere


Sourced Developments Limited


Newsco Insider Limited


Work highlights


  • Representing a client in relation to privacy and defamation claims arising from matters surrounding the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
  • Represented a celebrity in relation to extensive online trolling constituting breaches of her privacy, defamation, and harassment.
  • Acted for NHS midwife, in finding that there is no standalone tort of intrusion into physical privacy.

SAS Daniels LLP

SAS Daniels LLP, based in Stockport, oversees publishing agreements as well as TV and other commercial media contracts in the music industry. The group assists a diverse client base including record labels, and well-known bands and musicians such as New Order, The Coral, Pixies and former Smith’s guitarist Johnny Marr. The practice is led by the 'pragmatic, unflappable' Andy Booth, who has longstanding experience providing advice on record contracts and merchandising licenses.

Practice head(s):

Andy Booth


Testimonials

‘I find Andy to be collaborative, responsive, practical, pragmatic and efficient.’

‘We work with the team on a regular basis and always feel they apply a pragmatic approach to problems which is driven by an overall commercial approach. They have provided excellent advice over the years and we enjoy the collaborative approach they adopt.’

‘Andy Booth is pragmatic, unflappable, experienced and commercial.’

Key clients

New Order


Johnny Marr


Pixies


The Coral


Agnes Obel


Blossoms


Paul Heaton


Modern Sky Entertainment UK


Scruff of the Neck


Lathums


Ian Brown


Work highlights


  • Represented Scruff of the Neck in the renewal of a Twitch TV station contract.
  • Advised New Order in their renewal of publishing agreements with Universal Music.
  • Acted for Paul Heaton in obtaining a publishing agreement with Universal Music.