Jonathan Blair > Simkins LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Simkins LLP
LYNTON HOUSE
7-12 TAVISTOCK SQUARE
LONDON
WC1H 9LT
England

Work Department

Commercial.

Position

Jonathan is a commercial lawyer with a strong sectoral focus in film, television, publishing and digital media. He advises producers and financiers on all aspects of film and television financing, including production finance, tax-based and other government incentives, bank finance, distribution pre-sales and gap financing. He has an extensive knowledge of the sources of finance and works closely with clients in structuring financing packages and deals. Jonathan’s many clients include film and television production companies, and he is an experienced business affairs lawyer with a rich knowledge-base in all aspects of film and television production in many genres. He also assists clients in building their businesses with a view to sale, and has represented a number of clients in their negotiations for the disposal of their businesses. With the rise of digital media, Jonathan has developed expertise in all aspects of digital distribution and convergence. His clients in this area include distributors of mobile phone entertainment, online content distributors, authors and producers. Jonathan is a regular speaker on film, television and digital media.

Lawyer Rankings

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Media finance

Simkins LLP‘s wide-ranging media finance expertise covers the financing of film and television productions, the structuring and documentation of equity investments, and finance agreements including loan, security and inter-party arrangements. Practice head Jonathan Blair is a regular advisor to leading UK producers and production companies as well as international distributors and financiers. Managing partner Euan Lawson is also recommended; his recent work includes strategic investments and the financing of catalogue acquisitions.

London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Film & TV

Jonathan Blair heads up Simkins LLP’s film & TV division, which is a go-to firm for financiers and producers in matters involving audio-visual content; he has particular expertise in structuring international co-productions and financing packages. On the contentious side, the team is well-versed in copyright infringement claims, distribution disputes and contractual litigation. Other recommended individuals include managing partner Euan Lawson and associate Astrid Bulmer, who can advise film and television clients on all stages of the production lifecycle.