Lee & Thompson LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Lee & Thompson LLP Offices
80 Charlotte Street
LONDON
W1T 4DF
England
Lee & Thompson LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment (including media finance) Tier 1
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 AntoniadesPractice head(s):
Dominic Bray; Huw Morris; Christos Michaels; Richard Lever; Julian Ward; Lawrence Engel; Nicki Parfitt
Other key lawyers:
Antony Swiatek; Chloe Hutchings; Andrew Florence; Reno Antoniades; Sam Tatton-Brown; Lizzie Payne-James; Tim Fowler; Martyn Bailey; Gordon Williams; Lee Stone; Anwen Griffiths
Testimonials
‘Huw Morris is wonderful. He is easy to work with, gets to know the nuances of our business and really knows his stuff as it relates to advertising. Can’t rate him highly enough.’
‘I have to say I would not be able to run my business, nor have the career I have now without the support of the team at Lee & Thompson. They have been utterly supportive and devoted through years of development deals and complicated rights wrangling. It really does feel they understand and appreciate the long game, they are always readily available for support and advice, and being across so many deals in our industry they have invaluable insight into what is going on and where else one might be able to look for funding and opportunities. I love working with them and I recommend them to everyone I can!’
´Martyn Bailey – music litigation – tough, intelligent, realistic. Very measured and very good.`
‘I love working with Antony Swiatek and more recently Chloe Hutchings. They are incredibly smart and knowledgeable, and actually a lot of fun to work with. they are tough on deal points, tirelessly supportive of the producers perspective (even when you, the producer, are fatigued and ready to give in!) and all with a calmness and humour which I always really appreciate. These deals can be stressful and ugly to resolve, but I always trust matters will be handled with the people skills I really value in my own work.’
‘Julian Ward and Andrew Florence are highly professional, attentive with valuable experience’
‘The overall offering of the team at Lee & Thompson is good – there are some good lawyers, who operate pragmatically and commercially and who are approachable. They offer competitive rates / retainer arrangements and also provide training, office use if required etc, which is appreciated.’
‘Julian Ward is our go to partner and always accessible. A real desire to be an extension to our internal team.’
‘Gordon Williams has the following attributes: – a terrific intellect – a strong knowledge of the law – a calm, unflappable manner – good people skills, interacting well with us and our clients – a commercial brain.’
Key clients
Ingenious
Headgear
McDonalds
Jagex
Team 17
Vue Cinemas
Harry Styles
Rita Ora
Dave
Publicis
Dentsu
Work highlights
- Acted successfully for Steve Jones and Paul Cook in the high-profile Sex Pistols litigation. The case revolved around the use of the Sex Pistols’ music in the TV show “Pistol” directed by Danny Boyle. John Lydon (“Johnny Rotten”) refused to consent.
- Advised Ingenious as senior funder on British feature film Emily, the origin story biopic of Wuthering Heights author Emily Bronte, starring BAFTA nominated Emma Mackey.
- Advised McDonald’s on its 2021 Christmas advertising campaign, including the contract with the singer Mabel for her participation in the project and recording of the track, and ancillary activities such as her attendance at pop-up events.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management Tier 3
Lee & Thompson LLP acts for a diverse mix of well-known names including Hollywood actors, platinum-selling musicians, reality TV stars, and sports personalities. Practice co-head Mike Brookes provides extensive pre-publication advice, and primarily supports defendants including two leading national broadcasters. Joint team lead Leo Dawkins has considerable media litigation and data protection experience, enabling him to provide a broad service to high-profile celebrities seeking to protect their privacy from the tabloids, while libel expert Mark Stafford handles media clearance work for a number of the UK's top production companies.Practice head(s):
Mike Brookes; Leo Dawkins
Other key lawyers:
Mark Stafford
Testimonials
‘Leo Dawkins – I have known Leo throughout his career and have found him to be an excellent solicitor, thoughtful on the law and excellent with clients and barristers alike.’
‘Mike Brookes and Leo Dawkins are highly experienced media lawyers who have acted for claimants in the past but now act mainly for defendants – poachers turned gamekeepers. also very astute on costs (a key issue in media litigation).’
‘Mike Brookes – seasoned, calm, experienced. Leo Dawkins – new partner with a bright future.’
‘Mike Brookes is an outstanding media litigator: not just a great lawyer but tactically very astute and always focused on getting the best outcome for the client. He is ably supported by Leo Dawkins, Mark Stafford and other members of the team.’
‘A small but high-quality reputation protection team with the ability to handle complex and high profile litigation.’
Key clients
Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited
AC Grayling CBE
Paul Hollywood
Jude Law
Little Mix
Ant McPartland
Liam Payne
Harry Styles
Various high-profile Film and TV Production companies and broadcasters
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design Tier 5
Covering all aspects of soft IP, the Lee & Thompson LLP practice is well known in the creative industries, and regularly advises clients in IP-rich sectors including the film, TV, music, digital media, art, theatre, and sport arenas. Capable of handling both contentious and transactional matters, the team is led by disputes specialist Dominic Bray, who continues to act for high-profile individuals. Also of note within the disputes space is Martyn Bailey, with recent instructions including acting for a client in a high-profile copyright dispute.Practice head(s):
Dominic Bray
Other key lawyers:
Martyn Bailey; Mark Stafford
Key clients
Victoria Beckham Limited
Working Title
Little Mix
World Wrestling Entertainment
Lionsgate
FTSE International
Jagex
Viacom
Consolidated Developments Limited
Harry Styles
The Engine Group
Work highlights
- Acted for Steve Jones and Paul Cook in the high-profile Sex Pistols litigation.
- Acting for writer Nick Martin in a long-running dispute regarding rights for the screenplay for the Oscar-nominated film Florence Foster Jenkins, starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant.
- Acting for Kathy Sledge in her long-running dispute with her sister regarding rights for the SISTER SLEDGE brand.
Employment > Senior executives
Lee & Thompson LLP > Firm Profile
Lee & Thompson is one of the UK’s leading law firms for the media, technology and creative industries.
The firm: Lee & Thompson provides clients with the legal services they need to succeed in their creative and commercial ambitions. The firm counts multinational media organisations, brand and rights owners, production companies, record labels and entrepreneurs as clients as well as acting for many of the world’s most successful creative talent throughout their careers.
Since its inception in 1983, the firm has been at the top of its game and it has achieved this by prioritising two things: building a firm that understands the interdependence of the creative industries and by being relentless when it comes to meeting the needs of all its clients, whether these are professional or personal, creative or commercial.
It’s not just the high quality or breadth of the firm’s legal advice that sets it apart. It is the lawyers’ ability to merge this expertise with both a rigorous understanding of the industries in which the firm’s clients operate.
Types of work undertaken: All aspects of commercial, corporate and IP law together with a strong and complementary litigation and employment offering. We work across the media, entertainment and creative industries with particular strength and experience in advertising and marketing; art; digital and interactive entertainment; fashion; film and tv; live events; music; publishing; sport; theatre; video games.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Partner, Film & TV and Managing Partner | Reno Antoniades | renoantoniades@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Consultant & Co-Founder | Andrew Thompson | andrewthompson@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Consultant & Co-Founder | Robert Lee | robertlee@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Dispute Resolution and Head of Brand Protection | Gordon Williams | gordonwilliams@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Head of Corporate | Malcolm Murray | malcolmmurray@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner and Head of Film | Christos Michaels | christosmichaels@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Head of Dispute Resolution and Partner, Advertising & Marketing | Dominic Bray | dominicbray@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Film & TV and Head of Media finance | Sam Tatton-Brown | samtatton-brown@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner and Head of Music | Lawrence Engel | lawrenceengel@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Dispute Resolution and Head of Reputation protection | Mike Brookes | mikebrookes@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner and Head of Television | Richard Lever | richardlever@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Music | Will Everitt | willeveritt@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Advertising & Marketing | Huw Morris | huwmorris@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner and Head of Digital & Technology | Julian Ward | julianward@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Film & Television | Lee Stone | leestone@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Consultant, Film & Television | Jeremy Gawade | jeremygawade@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Dispute Resolution | Mark Stafford | markstafford@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Film & Television | Nicki Parfitt | nickiparfitt@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Dispute Resolution | Martyn Bailey | martynbailey@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Film & TV | Anwen Griffiths | anwengriffiths@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Film & TV | Antony Swiatek | antonyswiatek@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Partner, Music | Lizzie Payne-James | lizziepayne-james@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Head of Marketing & Business Development | Jo Rosenblatt | jorosenblatt@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
CFOO | Simon Boyden | simonboyden@leeandthompson.com | 020 3073 7600 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Reno Antoniades | Reno is managing partner of Lee & Thompson. He trained at the… | View Profile |
![]() | Martyn Bailey | Partner, Dispute Resolution | View Profile |
![]() | James Baker | Partner and Head of Employment | View Profile |
![]() | Dominic Bray | Head of Dispute Resolution; Head of Advertising & Marketing Group | View Profile |
![]() | Mike Brookes | Mike is a partner in the Dispute Resolution department and head of… | View Profile |
![]() | Lawrence Engel | Lawrence is a partner at Lee & Thompson and heads the firm’s… | View Profile |
![]() | Will Everitt | Will is a partner in the firm’s Music Group having specialised in… | View Profile |
![]() | Jeremy Gawade | Jeremy is a partner at Lee & Thompson with over 25 years’… | View Profile |
![]() | Robert Lee | Robert Lee co-founded Lee & Thompson in 1983 and is now a… | View Profile |
![]() | Richard Lever | Richard is a partner and heads Lee & Thompson’s Television Group, advising… | View Profile |
![]() | Christos Michaels | Christos is a partner and heads up Lee & Thompson’s renowned Film… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Huw Morris | Partner, Advertising & Marketing | View Profile |
![]() | Malcolm Murray | Malcolm is a partner and heads up Lee & Thompson’s Corporate &… | View Profile |
![]() | Nicki Parfitt | Nicki trained at the city firm Denton Hall and, after qualifying in… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Stephen Spence | Stephen is a Partner in our Film & TV Group. A media… | View Profile |
![]() | Mark Stafford | Mark is a partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution, Brand Protection and… | View Profile |
![]() | Lee Stone | Lee is a partner in Lee & Thompson’s Film and Television Groups.… | View Profile |
![]() | Sam Tatton-Brown | Sam is a partner in Lee & Thompson’s film and TV group.… | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew Thompson | Andrew is one of the Lee & Thompson’s founding partners and is… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Julian Ward | Julian is Head of Lee & Thompson’s Digital & Technology Group –… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Gordon Williams | Partner, Dispute Resolution and Head of Brand Protection | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 28 Number of UK fee-earners (non-Partner) : 50Diversity/Community
Lee & Thompson is a truly special place to work and at the very heart of the business are some exceptional people. There is a unique culture that fosters real passion for delivering good results for clients, expression of personality, respect and genuine support for all who work at and with the firm.
We want to ensure that our people are able to become the very best that they can be and we offer the support and encouragement required to fulfil these ambitions. Above all, we want everyone to take pleasure and pride in all that they do. A significant part of our culture is fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion and we work hard to ensure that our people, and all those who we work with, are able to bring their whole selves to the office.
Our Inclusion Network celebrates diversity and belonging at our firm and beyond. We are committed to ensuring that we are inclusive of and accessible to anyone and everyone who wants to work at or with the firm. The Network’s activity is varied and multi-faceted – from raising awareness of inequality and supporting various creative industry led D&! organisations to regularly reviewing and improving the firm’s own recruitment and wellbeing programmes.
In 2019 we launched our inaugural Vacation Scheme, opening the doors to students from diverse backgrounds and giving them first hand experience of working in a specialist media firm. We are hopeful that the firm will be able to offer positions to Vac Scheme alumni when the time is right.
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment (including media finance)