A market leader across the entire spectrum of music, Clintons has expertise in commercial, contentious and rights acquisition matters. Charles Gerada – head of the firm’s corporate department – is the main contact in the latter space, where he is often supported by Chris Coates on high-profile and high-value transactions. Berkeley Edwards heads up the commercial division, which includes Andrew Myers, Peter Button and Nicky Stein, among others, all of whom are experienced commercial representatives of global musical talent. Andrew Sharland is the main point of contact on the contentious side and is a regular advisor to leading musicians, songwriters, managers and producers, as well as multinational and independent record, publishing, management, live event and digital media companies; he is often supported by senior associate Blake Wilner.

Lee & Thompson LLP‘s client roster spans the generations, from heritage acts such as Depeche Mode and Roxy Music, in addition to the biggest artists of today such as Harry Styles, Little Mix and Dave, through to emerging talents including Wet Leg and Yungblud; the latter being an area in which Liv Lyons excels. The team also acts for music organisations, publishers and record labels, and collection societies. Lawrence Engel is a regular fixture on non-contentious matters; he co-heads the practice with dispute resolution head Dominic Bray. Lizzie Payne-James has a track record of work for well-known artists, while Tim Fowler‘s expertise can be seen in contractual matters, including recording, publishing, management, production and live performance agreements. On the contentious side, experienced litigators Gordon Williams and Martyn Bailey come recommended.

Russells Solicitors is an expert in catalogue sales and has an enviable client base which includes major record companies, publishers, producers, agencies, established and up-and-coming artists and writers. Music head Gavin Maude works with artists and executives and focuses on emerging talent (an area in which Jo Brittain is further instructed), although is also well-placed to advise film production and digital start-up companies, while litigation head Steven Tregear specialises in copyright infringement, contractual and audit claims. Maude and Tregear co-head the practice with managing partner Simon Esplen, who represents various music clients on commercial and contractual matters. Other recommended individuals include Ryan Vince, who is known for building long-term relationships with entrepreneurial clients, corporate head Chris Gossage and senior consultant Chris Organ. Experienced litigator Henry Priestley joined from RPC in December 2022.

Simkins LLP has a particular focus on catalogue sales and acquisitions pertaining to music publishing rights and sound recordings. Managing partner Euan Lawson – known for his music expertise in both a commercial and corporate context – heads up the division, which also has a thriving talent practice including established and up-and-coming acts, in addition to acting for the estates of well-known musicians. Disputes head Paddy Gardiner is noted for his involvement in complex IP issues – an area in which Ed Baden-Powell is further instructed alongside his commercial contract work. Also within the team is the experienced litigator Tom Iverson and Ed Weidman, an expert in non-contentious matters.

Bird & Bird LLP's Phil Sherrell is a renowned litigator in the content and brands space, and has enormous experience handling high-value and high-profile trademark and copyright infringement litigation. He was recently appointed as head of the firm's London office after a number of years leading the international media, entertainment and sports sector group. The team also advises on complex catalogue acquisitions and other non-contentious matters encompassing the UK and wider European music sectors. Broadcasting head Richard McMorris and corporate transactional expert Simon Fielder are also names to note.

Under the leadership of Martin Ochs, Hamlins LLP is a go-to firm for festival organisers and leading UK music collecting societies, such as the Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) and the Performing Right Society (PRS), on all contentious music requirements. The team further handles the protection and exploitation of IP rights within the music space, and boasts a broad client roster comprising various musicians, publishers, talent managers, film composers, authors and celebrities.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP's is a regular port of call for some of the UK's leading artist, producer and songwriter talent, independent record and publishing companies, managers, promoters, executives and digital platforms. Reflective of practice head and commercial expert Kieran Jay 's expertise, the team advises talent on all aspects of their careers, including management agreements, record, distribution and publishing deals, endorsement deals, merchandise deals and joint ventures.

Level Law‘s presence in the music sector has recently been boosted with the  additions of experienced litigator John Reid and digital and social media expert Mark Ashelford, both of whom joined from Russells Solicitors. Raffaella De Santis specialises in digital music in the growing spheres of artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse; she handles recording, publishing, management, live performance and touring agreements, as well as digital licensing, podcasts and live streaming matters. The commercially focused Halina Wielogorska advises leading artists and entrepreneurs on all aspects of their prospective careers.

Lewis Silkin‘s music group works with a number of leading labels, digital & mobile services, brands and rights-owners across the globe. Cliff Fluet‘s music expertise can be seen in matters pertaining to AI and blockchain, and more increasingly NFTs and the Metaverse, while Alan Hunt is a go-to for the protection and exploitation of IP rights and the drafting and negotiation of commercial and tech agreements. In addition to his specialism in theatrical productions, consultant Jeremy Summers has wide-ranging IP capabilities across both contentious and non-contentious matters in the music sector.

Recent work for Simons Muirhead Burton's music department has included sales and acquisitions of master recording and publishing catalogues, asset sales of recorded music rights, and joint venture arrangements. Practice head Richard Baskind specialises in all aspects of the music and entertainment sectors; his team includes corporate transactional expert Alasdair George and is a regular advisor to notable artists, composers, songwriters, labels, publishers, managers, executives and charities.

TThe music division at Wiggin LLP handles a range of litigation for leading UK collecting societies and trade bodies, and is further geared to provide enforcement and pre-litigation advice. Co-head Rachel Alexander is the key name on the contentious side, while oon the commercial side, the main contact is fellow co-head Alexander Ross, who advises clients in the licensee space, including film producers, studios, broadcasters, video games companies, video producers and online platforms. Elsewhere, the group have expertise in music catalogue acquisitions and disposals, working in close conjunction with the firm’s corporate team.

US firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP focuses on music licensing arrangements for major social media and streaming platforms, including Meta, where practice head Neil Miller was formerly head of the international music licensing legal team. He is also well-placed to handle the exploitation of user-uploaded content, compliance matters, and corporate transactions.

With barrister Justin Goldspink, the IP and media department at GSC Solicitors LLP has longstanding relationships with UK music collecting societies, including the Video Performance Limited (VPL), PPL and PRS. On the contentious side, the team handles copyright tribunal litigation and infringement cases, whereas typical non-contentious instructions involve copyright law reform, international collections, and livestreaming licenses.

The media and entertainment team at Keystone Law is home to a number of advisors adept in the music sector. Gerard Cukier advises high-profile individuals on music recording and performance agreements, licensing deals and sponsorship agreements, together with reputation management issues. Other recommended individuals include contractual expert Nick Weaser and commercial litigator Lawrence Abramson.