Wiggin LLP

Sector knowledge

Rachel Alexander

With a wealth of experience in high profile IP cases and online enforcement matters, Rachel has established herself as a trusted adviser to those seeking to protect their IP assets. “I assist clients to protect their copyright, trade marks, confidential information and other IP rights, both in the online and offline world. I’ve helped clients in the film, music, sports, publishing and fashion sectors establish important legal precedents to enable effective enforcement of their rights, and have acted in a number of the leading cases that have tackled the interplay between IP rights and the internet. I have navigated clients through proceedings in the IPEC, High Court, Court of Appeal and the UK Supreme Court, and have coordinated strategic litigation on a multi-jurisdictional basis. Not all cases require substantive litigation. I also have extensive experience of finding practical and cost-effective solutions when an alternative route is needed.”

Sara Ashby

Sara heads our award-winning Intellectual Property team and has over 25 years’ experience as a specialist IP litigator. “Strategic and tenacious, Sara has an enviable track record fighting design, patent and trade mark cases of all kinds.” (Chambers) Sara litigates in the High Court, including under the Shorter Trial Scheme, and in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC), in the registries, the UK Court of Appeal, and she has taken cases to Europe’s highest court, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), as well as coordinating parallel litigation in other jurisdictions. “My practice is intentionally broad, covering disputes and strategy across all IP rights. I have experience conducting major patent litigation across a wide range of technical fields, handling significant design and trade mark disputes, and assisting clients in formulating portfolio strategy. I started my professional career as a general commercial litigator, and I think many clients value that broader strategic approach, particularly when dealing with complex problems which may include multiple and overlapping rights, contractual matters and non-standard IP disputes.” Sara is heavily involved in thought leadership in intellectual property law and procedure. She is President of AIPPI UK, the leading non-government organisation for research into and formulation of policy for intellectual property, and a member of the UK Government’s Expert Trade Advisory Group for IP. She was an assessor to Lord Justice Jackson in his review of fixed recoverable litigation costs, a contentious area of law reform. “Intellectual property laws have a global economic impact and they are constantly evolving. It is critical that as practitioners we contribute to safeguarding and improving IP law, and ensure that all views and interests are represented. As President of AIPPI UK, I am able to contribute to policy work that has an impact in the UK and internationally, and the UK group provides valuable training events to our membership.” Sara is also and has been for many years heavily involved in the Oxford University Post Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, lecturing on litigation, tutoring and examining on designs and copyright, and is a member of the Diploma’s Management Committee. Sara speaks and writes regularly on intellectual property law, including having contributed chapters to Sweet & Maxwell’s EU Trade Mark Handbook and Community Designs Handbook, Wolter Kluwer’s publication on Design Rights, and publishing articles in leading IP journals, such as Journal for Intellectual Property Law and Practice and European Intellectual Property Review.

Michael Browne

Michael advises on the enforcement and exploitation of all forms of intellectual property, as well as competition law issues which frequently arise in IP matters. “IP is the driving force behind today’s economy. I help clients to make the most of their IP by putting in place the right agreements to get their products and services to market on the right terms, as well as defending their rights when competitors step over the line. I have more than a decade of experience working with clients from a range of IP-rich industries including fashion, technology, computer games and sports, to name a few. My transactional IP work often has an international flavour, and I have particular experience in helping clients to establish international distribution networks and franchise operations. Where a dispute cannot be avoided, I am able to draw on considerable litigation experience from cases I have undertaken across the English and EU IP courts and registries, as well as my involvement in cross-border arbitrations and mediations, to identify the right strategy for a given scenario and commercial objective. IP is a constantly evolving field and I enjoy contributing to the development of the law in this area through my involvement in organisations such as UNION-IP (for which I am currently the GB Group Council member and Honorary Secretary), the Competition Law Association (of which I was the National Reporter General for several years) and CIPA. I also enjoy helping to train the next generation of IP lawyers in my role as a visiting lecturer on the Oxford University Post Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Law and Practice, where I teach IP Litigation and design law.”

John Colbourn

John has over 15 years’ experience as an intellectual property lawyer, with a broad practice covering all aspects of IP and related issues, with particular focus on brands. “My practice covers all aspects of brand management and protection. From risk to new brands or expanding existing use, through protection and registrations, enforcement and dispute management. I manage and enforce both UK and international brand portfolios for a number of brands in a variety of sectors, and advise on complex issues involving of disputes, enforcement, and related filing strategies in multiple jurisdictions. I have advised in many trade mark and passing off disputes and have particular experience running multi-matter enforcement programs against misuse of trade marks and copyright works, on- and off-line, and both domestically and coordinating overseas. I also have a particular interest in parallel imports and exhaustion of rights. I have acted in the High Court (including shorter trials scheme), Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) and the UK IPO and the EUIPO (including appeals to the General Court of the EU) and in the European Court of Justice.” John completed the Bristol University Post Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice in 2007, and won the AIPPI national award for the best young contribution for work in relation to trade mark dilution laws in 2010. John is involved in a number of professional organisations, including INTA, CITMA, MARQUES and PTMG, and is presently a member of the INTA Brands and Innovation committee. Prior to joining Wiggin, John worked at Redd.

Sue Crawford

Sue has over 35 years of steering media and technology businesses through the maze of corporate tax. “I have an exceptional range of experience advising corporates and entrepreneurs on all aspects of tax – from VAT to stamp duty, gaming duty to corporation tax, PAYE/national insurance to withholding tax. One particular focus is entrepreneurs and their investors – advising on their journey from start-up to exit to ensure their commercial aspirations are fully realised as tax efficiently as possible. Motivation of employees through share schemes and equity awards is key. I bring creative solutions to the tax conundrums that more established businesses and groups inevitably face in their M&A, restructuring and venture capital deals. I crack the issues and deliver my solutions jargon free, without losing sight of the commercial context.”

Matthew Dando

Matthew is an experienced litigator, specialising in contentious commercial matters and publication disputes in the media industry. “In any given day, I’m a lawyer, business adviser, strategist and manager of my team. I think clients particularly value my broad knowledge of media businesses and the media sector so they can be confident I understand their objectives. As someone with experience of working in-house, I appreciate the need for excellent service and pragmatic, commercial advice that goes beyond the purely legal. My work is hugely varied, reflecting the wide-ranging issues that my clients face. I handle hotly fought disputes such as libel and privacy litigation for publishers, often against prominent and well-resourced public figures, as well as substantial and often international pieces of commercial litigation and arbitration. I help clients at earlier stages too, working with media clients at a pre-publication/production stage to assess the risk profile of their content before it’s distributed and with commercial clients to consider contractual issues and stress test commercial scenarios so they can best prevent difficult situations arising at all. Across all of this, I feel lucky to work in partnership with smart clients, often doing ground-breaking work, to find a path through problems that sometimes seem intractable. I approach these situations in a calm, level-headed way always with my clients’ perspectives and objectives front of mind. Sometimes it’s necessary to go all the way to court to achieve a result, but there is often a more constructive way. While a lot of my work has a media focus, I also have a depth of experience with contractual and commercial disputes, including issues of rights exploitation, endorsement agreements, contractual interpretation, boardroom fallouts and responses to misuse of confidential information. No matter the situation, my aim is always to help clients gain early leverage and get back to their day job free from the distraction of disputes.” Matthew holds qualifications in English law, French law, and European law from the Universities of Oxford, Paris and Edinburgh respectively and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb).

Isabel Davies

Isabel’s work spans the breadth of the interactive entertainment industry, including advising video games and digital platform businesses. She has particular insight into the mobile and casual gaming markets. “Having previously worked in-house at Disney Interactive and King in both legal and business development roles, I have experience advising on some of the top titles in the games industry on a day-to-day basis. I have a particular focus on regulatory matters (such as online safety, monetisation and child protection), but I regularly advise clients on commercial and intellectual property issues too. I’m fortunate enough to have worked with a whole range of clients, from independent games developers, global publishers, social media platforms and adult content providers. I provide strategic product advice across a whole range of regulatory requirements; some of my work highlights include auditing some of the world’s most popular free-to-play games for dark patterns, advising several companies on their Children’s Code engagements with the ICO and helping build governance frameworks and risk assessments for a range of digital platforms.” Prior to joining Wiggin, Isabel was at Purewal & Partners. Isabel has written for a number of publications including the EU Video Games Law Handbook, GI.biz and Legal Futures. She is also a frequent speaker, including at events such as Pocket Gamer Connects, Develop Conference and the VGBA EuroSummit.

Peter Dawson

Peter advises on the full spectrum of brand strategy, protection and management issues. Peter deals with the complete lifecycle of brands from conception and clearance, through to filing strategies and securing rights, and maintaining their scope of protection via watching services and contentious registry disputes (including negotiating and drafting undertakings and co-existence agreements, where appropriate). “I engage with brand owners on a daily basis across a wide range of sectors, with a particular focus on the entertainment sectors. I provide a proactive and value driven approach to brand strategy. This helps clients ensure their portfolios align to their businesses and are underpinned by commercial data and a cost-benefit analysis. Put simply, I see brands as a commercial tool which can give a competitive advantage in the marketplace when secured and deployed strategically.” Peter is a UK Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, European Trade Mark and Design Attorney and Irish Trade Mark Agent. He is a member of CITMA and Chair’s INTA’s Non-Traditional Marks Europe and Central Asia Subcommittee. Peter obtained Distinctions on the Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice at the University of Oxford, the Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice at Nottingham Trent University, and the Certificate in Trade Mark Law and Practice at Queen Mary, University of London. Prior to joining Wiggin, Peter started his career at a leading firm of trade mark attorneys before joining an international law firm.

Chris Elliott

Chris is a commercial and regulatory lawyer, concentrating on providing UK regulatory and compliance advice to various stakeholders in the online gambling and gaming industries. “I specialise in all aspects of gambling law and have extensive legal, regulatory and commercial experience advising many of the world’s largest online and land-based B2C and B2B gambling businesses. I engage with stakeholders on a daily basis, whether they are operators, software suppliers, regulators, payment service providers, start-ups, investors or financial institutions. I also increasingly advise video gaming, esports, skill gaming and other related media and entertainment businesses and help clients to navigate developments in regulation and self-regulation as their business models and practices evolve and converge with the regulated sector.” Chris is described in the Legal 500 as “fantastically knowledgeable of the regulatory issues facing the industry. An upcoming star’. Chris is also a general member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL).

Jason Fisher

Jason is a corporate and regulatory lawyer with extensive experience advising a wide variety of international companies on their transactional and regulatory requirements. “In addition to acting on a wide range of domestic M&A, joint ventures and investments, seamlessly co-ordinating multi‑jurisdictional and cross-disciplinary teams to advise global businesses is a fundamental part of my practice. I work with my clients as an extension of their in-house legal team, providing pragmatic and commercial guidance focusing on what is most important to them. I collaborate with a vast network of lawyers throughout the world and work with market‑leading specialists at Wiggin, using our knowledge of the ever-changing legal and regulatory landscape across a variety of industries, and in particular high-risk verticals, to identify the issues that really matter and reduce the burden on in‑house resource. I pride myself on providing excellent client care, with a strong work ethic and collaborative approach always at the heart of what I do.”

Rahul Gandhi

Rahul advises a wide range of video games industry businesses and stakeholders across various commercial contract and intellectual property related matters. Rahul has a particular focus on advising indie games studios of all stages, across a broad range of issues from initial company set up through to managing intellectual property, commercial agreements and financing options. Rahul also has previous experience working in the esports sector in areas such as media licensing, sponsorship, and esports tournament regulation. “My work spans the video games industry, advising all types of businesses and stakeholders from indie development studios to AAA game publishers as well as brand licensors, technology solution suppliers and other games industry service providers. I specialise in advising on and negotiating commercial agreements, such as game development and publishing contracts, outsourcing and contractor agreements, agreements for licensing branded intellectual property for games as well as cross media products and merchandise, physical game distribution deals and video games engine, middleware and tech licensing. I also have experience advising on financing for indie development studios, in particular Video Games Tax Relief lending agreements. To me, the video games industry is the convergence of cutting-edge technology and entertainment. I regularly attend B2B and B2C events in the space and am knowledgeable on both legal and commercial trends that may affect clients. I have a deep respect for the companies and individuals that create video games as well as the crucial businesses that facilitate and support their creation. I’m passionate about helping clients through the various legal and commercial challenges of this increasingly complex industry and bringing brilliant products to market.” Rahul writes a regular legal column for Debug, a specialist indie games magazine. He also conducts pro bono work with games industry organisations such as Limit Break, a mentorship scheme aimed at helping people from marginalised groups working in or looking for work in the UK games industry and Black Twitch UK, an organisation that aims to make the voices of underrepresented content creators in the UK games industry heard. Rahul has also guest lectured at several UK universities and is a regular guest lecturer at the London College of Communication. On occasion, Rahul can be found livestreaming his favourite video games or reactions to new game announcements on Twitch.tv.

Paul Gardner

With over 25 years’ experience in the computer games industry, Paul advises on a range of industry-specific commercial and regulatory issues. “I was an early adopter of the Atari 2600 and fell in love with the games industry. As a junior lawyer I spent over a year working on disputes relating to the licensing arrangements concerning the game Tetris, and then another year working as a virtual in-house lawyer at a games publisher, just as the industry was moving from 8 bit to 16 bit games. I’ve worked on commercial and technology transactions relating to the development and commercialisation of games and game services ever since and have been fortunate enough to work with some of the most interesting and creative companies in the industry, ranging from indie studios to global companies. I helped write the original proposal to the UK government which ultimately led to the introduction of Video Game Tax Relief. As the industry has grown in size and complexity, I’ve become increasingly involved with the regulatory issues relating to the industry, such as age ratings, consumer law, and betting and gaming regulations. I’m the author of Practical Commercial Law’s guide to the computer games industry and a member of the Editorial Board of the Interactive Entertainment Law Review. I was one of the original trustees of GamesAid, the charity set up by the UK interactive entertainment industry and am a member of the advisory board of the BGI, a charity established to champion British games culture.”

Tom Gastrell

Tom is an experienced corporate lawyer with a particular focus on M&A and venture capital in the creative, technology, entertainment and sport sectors. I work with investors, corporate clients, founders and entrepreneurs on a broad range of domestic and cross-border transactions from early-stage investment through to exit. I have a great deal of experience in venture capital, M&A (buy and sell side), private equity, shareholder arrangements, joint ventures, reorganisations and general corporate advice. Whether it’s an experienced corporate or fund or a founder team undergoing its first significant funding round, I help clients cut through the noise to focus on the issues that really matter to them. Having worked in-house, I understand the pressures teams face and the need for clear, commercial and pragmatic guidance. I am constantly impressed and inspired by the quality of the investors, businesses and management teams I encounter in these sectors and feel fortunate to share the journey with them.”

Joanne Gibbs

Jo is a partner in the Intellectual Property group and is a specialist in resolving trade mark, passing off, copyright and design right disputes. “I advise clients whenever they experience conflicts with their trade mark, passing off, copyright or design rights. I also advise on registrability and clearance issues. The clients I advise are drawn from a wide variety of industry sectors, from high-end fashion brands, to pharmaceutical companies and video game studios. I draw on my experience of having acted before the High Court, Intellectual Property Enterprise Court, UKIPO and EUIPO, and in appeals to the General Court and the Court of Justice, to advise on the appropriate forum and procedure for the resolution of disputes. I also have experience of alternative dispute resolution, particularly mediation.” Jo obtained The Oxford University Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice in 2015. Jo has been recognised as a ‘rising star’ by Legal 500 and MIP, and in 2017 won the AIPPI UK prize for her work in relation to bad faith trade marks. Jo is a member of INTA’s Designs Committee, has contributed to the INTA Cancellation Guide for the EU and co-authors, together with Sara Ashby and Michael Browne, the UK chapter of ‘Design Rights: Functionality and Scope of Protection’.

Neil Gillard

Neil heads up the Film & TV team at Wiggin. He advises on all aspects of film and television production, finance and distribution. ‘‘I advise on the entire lifecycle of a production, from development, financing and production, right through to exploitation. I advise a range of production companies, as well as broadcasters, film and television distributors and banks and other funders.’’ Clients include: See Saw (“Slow Horses” and “Sweetpea”) Fulwell 73 The Ink Factory (“The Night Manager – season 2”, “Legacy of Spies”) BBC Studios Distribution (“Bluey”) Sky 60 Forty (“Hijack”, “Down Cemetery Road”) Moonage (“The Gentlemen”) Cowboy (“Top Boy”) DNA (“Civil War”, “Warfare”, “Elden Ring”) Plan B Moonbug Entertainment Ecosse Drama Republic Sister Pictures Arbuthnot Latham The Forge Fifth Season Media Res

Lizzie Greene

Lizzie is a senior litigator with particular experience of media disputes. “I represent clients across Wiggin’s key sectors, including news publishers, film studios, TV and theatre producers and broadcasters. I provide pre-publication and pre-action advice as well as conducting litigation. I have particular experience of issues relating to defamation, privacy and data protection, as well as advising on contract and copyright disputes. Before joining Wiggin, I spent four years as part of the in-house editorial legal team at a major international news publisher. I worked closely with journalists and editors to get important stories over the line while limiting legal risk. I managed a wide range of post-publication complaints and litigation, often from very high-profile and well-resourced individuals and organisations. I provide responsive, clear, and commercial legal advice, allowing clients to focus on their priorities – be it breaking vital stories, creating ground-breaking content, or developing new technology.”

Chris Hammond

Chris is one of the UK’s leading advisers to US Studios operating in the film and television space. Having spent over a decade working almost exclusively within the US Studio ecosystem he brings a rare depth of understanding of the business, its commercial drivers and its complex guild landscape. “I advise major Studios and streamers on financing, developing, producing, acquiring and distributing film and high‑end television across the UK and Europe. My credits speak for themselves, with involvement in global franchises and award‑winning productions including House of the Dragon, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Ted Lasso and The White Lotus. Translating and decoding the UK entertainment industry for US Studios is at the heart what I do every single day. If you have a potential blockbuster, I can help.”

Chris Hanson

Chris is a recognised expert in media and entertainment financing. He has worked on transactions valued at over US$6billion over the last 25 years. “I work with Hollywood Studios, banks, private equity, government bodies, corporate and high net worth investors across the US, Europe, Asia and the Far East. My clients include Universal Studios, Sony Pictures, Comerica Bank, Union Bank, City National Bank, Bank of America and Netflix. I look to provide my clients with practical, commercial advice, delivered in a straight-forward way. Using my knowledge of the sector, gained over many years, I aim to bring clarity and simplicity to complex financing transactions. Whether corporate or project finance, debt or equity structures, my focus is to secure the best terms for my clients, delivering transactions which meet their objectives and protect their interests.”

Georgina Hart

Georgie is a member of the Intellectual Property Litigation team who acts for clients from a range of sectors on litigation matters relating to patents, designs, copyright, trade marks and passing off. “I have experience of litigating cases in the IPEC, High Court and Court of Appeal as well as experience of having dealt with trade mark disputes in the trade mark registries, including the UKIPO and EUIPO, and patent matters in the EPO. The diverse range of clients I act for in relation to all the key IP rights allows me to take a strategic and pragmatic approach to advising clients, ensuring the clients’ best interests are kept front and centre. I help clients through each stage of the litigation process from early stage planning to the conclusion of the case. In 2017 I completed the Oxford University Postgraduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Law and Practice, which gave me a comprehensive grounding in all aspects of intellectual property law. I am an active member of the firm’s LGBT+ Network, which has worked to develop policies and organise events to promote inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. I am also on the Committee of IPOut, an industry wide community for LGBT+ people and their allies working in the IP professions. I am also involved with the firm’s Pro Bono and Volunteering programmes, which form part of the firm’s Responsibility initiative.”

Ciaran Hickey

Ciaran heads Wiggin's corporate team and has over 20 years’ experience advising on a variety of deals, specialising in the computer games, technology and media sectors. “I act for all types of clients in the media and technology sectors, from leading companies to investors and entrepreneurs. I am experienced across a broad range of corporate transactions including M&A, venture capital, corporate venturing, joint ventures and reorganisations and frequently work on deals spanning multiple jurisdictions. I use this experience to offer clients pragmatic and sector-focused advice throughout the process and to ensure transactions are closed efficiently and successfully. Working with clients whose sectors are constantly evolving provides constant challenges as a corporate adviser – I don’t just have today’s problems to contend with but tomorrow’s too. Identifying and solving these issues before they become major problems for my clients is particularly satisfying.”

David Hinchliffe

With decades of experience advising football clubs, David is renowned as one of the best in the field. He acts for a host of Premier League and EFL football clubs on all manner of legal issues. David has completed more than 60 football M&A transactions – which amounts to a large proportion of the club sale market in the English Premier League (EPL) and English Football League – and has been involved in the most complex issues in football since the early days of the English Premier League. “My work can cover anything that comes up in the football industry and no two days are the same. I act for a wide variety of professional football clubs, and daily I can find myself working on anything from corporate M&A of football franchises, to high profile litigation to complex regulatory issues within football. Alongside decades of experience, I am proud of the network I have made in the football industry. I enjoy building and maintaining excellent relationships with clients and my lifelong friendship with my clients is one of my proudest achievements. I often act for them from the moment they buy the football club all the way up until the moment they dispose of their ownership interest. Over those years, I’m generally a member of their Kitchen Cabinet, and there for them for any and every issue that arises. My working style is client facing and “full-on”. This is both the nature of the industry and a reflection of the passion I have for helping my clients identify the best possible strategy and solutions for them. I find a commercial and results driven approach works best in our industry. And I appreciate that when circumstances change – as they often do in football – the strategy needs to change and I adapt my advice accordingly. As anybody working in the football industry will know, its dynamic nature means that no two days are the same, and I’m often presented with a challenge that the industry hasn’t previously encountered. Solving these unique and complex problems that arise in football is the most rewarding part of my job. I predominantly work on litigation and regulatory issues within football and corporate M&A of sports franchises, although my work can cover anything at all that comes up in the industry for professional football clubs.”

James Hope

James is a commercial property lawyer and the head of the Wiggin property group, with extensive experience advising a wide variety of international clients on their real estate requirements. “I advise on all aspects of commercial property law, but I work primarily in specialised areas for clients in the media, betting & gaming and technology sectors. The requirements of this role can be fairly novel – whether that’s how to structure the refurbishment and lease of an entire central-London building, how to draft a location contract for driving tanks over the Sussex countryside, how a country estate can facilitate a music festival, or how an interactive gaming start-up should negotiate lease terms with a tech-hub. This sector focus means I can help clients quickly identify key points of law and commercial concern, and get the result that they want.”

Adrian Jones

Adrian is a corporate lawyer specialising in advising media and technology clients on a broad range of corporate and financial transactions, as well as strategic and governance issues. “I’ve spent over 20 years advising media and technology clients on their transactional work, particularly private company M&A, joint ventures and strategic partnerships and raising equity from angel and venture capital investors. Alongside the transactional work, much of my time is spent advising and guiding boards and entrepreneurs on risk and strategy, on governance and stakeholder relations and in the hard times on their insolvency concerns. I focus predominantly on the TV, software, sport, music and publishing sectors, but have experience of doing deals involving all sorts of digital businesses. Over the past decade, I’ve been involved in Wiggin management and in establishing many of Wiggin’s entrepreneurial side businesses, including Incopro, the market leading online brand protection software business where I was a board director, a role which provided me with valuable business insight and a fresh perspective on the pressures and challenges faced by clients.”

Stephen Ketteley

Steve is a highly-regarded regulatory adviser to the global gambling industry. He is trusted by many of the industry’s leading operators and suppliers to help them navigate the challenges they face. “It’s remarkable how much the gambling industry has been through since I began advising in this sector more than 15 years ago, and how much my role has changed as a result. Today, much of my time is spent acting as a sounding board, providing a quick, effective assessment of the relevant risks for clients as they make some of their most difficult decisions. I advise operators on their interactions with regulators, be that in compliance or enforcement cases. I help industry participants construct and manage jurisdictional risk. I guide stakeholders in assessing and mitigating risk, generally, that attaches to their participation in the gambling space. The most rewarding aspect of my role is being trusted by many of the leading decision-makers in the industry. A client recently commented they would turn to me when “I want to really press something in a new area with a lot of uncertainty”.”

Alexander Lea

Alex specialises in all aspects of the life cycle of film and TV productions, representing a broad range of clients from US studios, cable and premium pay networks to major UK distributors, broadcasters and independent production companies. “My role is more than just providing legal advice – my clients also look to me as a strategist and business advisor. I draw on my experience and commercial sense from having worked in both the US and UK to help my clients focus on the key creative decisions. I enjoy working in a dynamic industry that continues to undergo significant change and I work hard to ensure my clients successfully navigate the risks in this evolving commercial landscape, whilst maximising the opportunities available them. Ultimately, my aim is very simple: to do all I can help my clients realise their creative ambition across all aspects of development, financing, production and exploitation.”

Peter Lewin

Pete is a commercial and regulatory lawyer with a decade of experience working in the video games and wider interactive entertainment industry. “I work with businesses throughout the entire interactive entertainment industry ranging from indie studios to global game developers, publishers and distributors to esports and tech businesses. I specialise in complex commercial deals negotiation, particularly games publishing and licensing, intellectual property exploitation and games-related regulation. The games industry is constantly evolving, and I particularly enjoy helping clients navigate novel commercial and legal challenges, whether that’s due to the utilisation of developing technologies such as AI and blockchain, new distribution methods and monetisation models, or expansion into territories with complex local regulatory environments like China. I’m also an avid gamer, which means I’m able to quickly understand a client’s product and get to the issue at hand. This, combined with my experience of working for clients of all sizes, provides me with a great overview of industry trends, challenges and latest market practice.”

Claire Livingstone

Head of Wiggin’s Consumer Protection team, Claire is a leading advisor on consumer law and regulatory compliance, and a seasoned commercial lawyer, with extensive experience advising businesses across the media & entertainment landscape and beyond. “With the introduction of the UK’s DMCCA, consumer law compliance has become a business-critical issue. Consumers are protected by a complex network of laws and regulations, and sanctions for breach are severe — including major turnover-based fines and, for the first time, potential personal liability for senior officers. At the same time, the UK’s increasing divergence from EU consumer protection rules is adding complexity for businesses operating across both markets. I advise consumer-facing businesses of all kinds — from start-ups to established global brands — on the full range of consumer protection issues that affect them. I have deep experience across many of Wiggin’s core sectors – including Betting & Gaming, Film & TV, Games, Live & Immersive Events, Technology, and Sport – so I understand how consumer law and regulation plays out in practice in the markets my clients operate in. Much of my practice involves advising on cutting-edge products, services or business models that sit in uncharted legal territory. Whether tackling novel issues at the forefront of regulatory development or resolving day-to-day compliance concerns, I genuinely relish unpicking complex problems and finding clear, workable solutions for my clients. Beyond consumer law, I provide wide-ranging commercial advice across the media, e-commerce, and technology supply chains – from licensing, content acquisition and distribution deals to platform terms, supplier and talent contracts, and technology and SaaS agreements. Having completed several in-house secondments during my time at Wiggin, I understand the pressures my clients face day-to-day and advise with a genuine understanding of the client’s perspective.” Claire has been named as a “Key Lawyer” by Legal 500.

Bethan Lloyd

I’m a Partner advising on complex commercial and regulatory matters across betting, gaming, sports, media and digital infrastructure. I work with clients operating in fast-moving, highly regulated environments, advising on the issues that sit at the intersection of legal, compliance, product and delivery. My practice includes negotiating complex commercial agreements, supporting product and operational change, and providing day-to-day guidance as projects evolve. Drawing on five years’ in-house experience, I understand how teams build, launch and run products and platforms. I work closely with compliance, marketing, legal and operational stakeholders, getting to the heart of what matters and translating legal and technical complexity into clear, practical advice. I am well acquainted with the unique challenges in-house legal teams face. “My clients are often balancing urgency, innovation and regulatory risk. I bring a calm, decisive approach to help them navigate that complexity, setting out clear options, identifying what really matters, and supporting confident decision-making. I see my role as making complex issues manageable, so my clients can keep momentum while staying aligned with their legal and regulatory obligations.”

Adelaide Lopez

Adelaide is a senior litigator with extensive experience representing clients across Wiggin’s core sectors. She specialises in complex data protection, media, intellectual property disputes, and all facets of commercial litigation. “My practice encompasses dispute resolution and proactive advisory work, assisting clients from the early stages of contract negotiation and content/product development to mitigate risks and pre-empt legal challenges. With nearly a decade of experience in the UK and US film industry before transitioning to law, I bring unique, practical insights into the legal issues facing my clients. In 2022, I completed a one-year secondment at News Corp as Group Chief Compliance Officer for News UK, HarperCollins (Global), and Storyful. I am dual-qualified to practice in New York (2013) and England and Wales (2015), and hold certification as a Data Protection Practitioner (PC.dp).”

Sarah MacDonald

Sarah leads Wiggin’s advertising, marketing and sponsorship team and is also active in the digital, content distribution and sports sectors – in fact, there really is no media sector in which Sarah has not worked. “I work with global brands creating, marketing and distributing content across all platforms. Whether you are at the content development/acquisition stage or want help with its distribution and promotion, I will have a raft of useful tips from my experience working on similar deals. I particularly enjoy getting to grips with complex regulatory issues around the exploitation of advertising and audio-visual content and can quickly get to the bottom of queries relating to the codes and rules administered by Ofcom and the ASA. During my time at Wiggin, I have also worked as Legal Counsel at Manchester United, as well as spending time on secondment at Disney, Virgin Media, Universal Music and the BRIT Awards. Not only has this allowed me to gain some invaluable sector experience in sport, film and TV and music, it also allows me to advise with a genuine understanding of the client viewpoint.”

Garth McDonald

Garth is a specialist film & tv lawyer advising producers, distributors and financiers on their projects. “I work on the whole life cycle of film and tv projects from development, production and financing through to exploitation. I’m particularly focused on media finance and act for leading banks, funds, public bodies and high net worth individuals across the US and Europe. Using my experience and specialist knowledge of the sector, I always aim to provide pragmatic and commercial advice and to describe complex matters in a simple way. It’s a privilege to work in such an interesting and fast-moving industry and it’s always exciting when you watch a new production and know you played a small part.”

Gráinne McKenna

With over 25 years of experience advising on the full life cycle of film and TV content, Gráinne has been a key player in the industry, working on some of the biggest film and TV productions of the last two decades. She held senior roles at Working Title and NBCU International before joining Wiggin LLP as a partner in 2015. Her client roster spans major US studios, mini-majors, distributors, and independent film and TV production companies across the UK, US, and Europe. “Working with such a diverse range of clients allows me to engage with every aspect of the film and TV industries. I understand the distinct commercial needs of producers, talent, financiers, broadcasters, and distributors, whether in the studio system or the independent sector. This broad perspective enables me to close successful, pragmatic deals through a clear and collaborative process.” In addition to her expertise in film and TV, Gráinne also advises on theatre and immersive events. She is dedicated to promoting diversity within the industry, serving as a Board Trustee for INTO FILM, the UK’s leading educational film charity, and working in partnership with The Roundhouse on its Emerging Filmmaker Programme. Her recently released production credits include Hamnet, Bugonia, The Running Man, Goodbye June, Downton Abbey, Nosferatu, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, The Agency, MobLand and Industry.

David McLeish

David advises clients across a range of industries on UK and international transactions but with a focus on the gambling, technology and sports sectors. “I’ve spent over 20 years advising companies on M&A transactions, joint ventures, fundraisings and re-organisations. I was previously General Counsel at a leading listed gambling software supplier and advise some of the leading operators, suppliers and other stakeholders in the betting and gaming sector on their M&A and commercial deals, together with their regulatory and compliance strategies. Having worked in-house as part of a management team for a number of years, I understand the commercial drivers of a project as well as the legal obstacles and can help navigate problems and unlock value to achieve the best outcome for my clients. Clients say I am “unflinchingly commercial, realistic and pragmatic”. My sons wish I took the same approach to their homework.”

Priya Nagpal

Priya is a leading IP litigator with over 23 years’ litigation experience. She specialises in complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes involving disruptive technologies such as medical devices, software and big data. Priya is a seasoned patent litigator and has a significant UK trade secret and copyright litigation practice, having represented several household names in high-profile disputes. Priya’s unique expertise in both patent litigation, as well as trade secrets and copyright litigation, means that she is well placed to advise clients in the technology sector. Priya regularly advises clients on the intellectual property issues associated with the use, training and development of AI and GenAI tools, and has hosted a number of client workshops and roundtable discussions on these critical topics, particularly in response to the explosive use of ChatGPT and other AI tools. Over the past year, Priya has represented large multi-national clients in a variety of patent and trade secret disputes.

Patrick O’Connell

Patrick advises on all aspects of tech, digital law and data protection. “I focus on the complex regulatory and commercial challenges that come with providing modern digital and media services. Day to day, that means advising on cross-border data protection, online safety and AI compliance frameworks, responding to regulatory investigations, complaints and user requests, and handling complex tech transactions. Clients can expect responsiveness, clear advice, commercial awareness and a pragmatic approach.”

James Peel

James is a partner in the Film and TV group. “I provide strategic legal and commercial business affairs advice to clients across the film and television sector. My practice encompasses all aspects of content creation, including development, production, financing, and distribution. With extensive industry experience gained from senior in-house roles at ITV Studios and NBCUniversal, I bring a combination of legal expertise and practical commercial insight to every matter.”

David Quli

David is Wiggin’s managing partner, and is widely recognised as one of the UK’s foremost experts in film and television financing law. He advises banks, funds and companies on loans and investments in feature films and television programmes. “With the rise of global streaming platforms, the film and television industry has undergone, and continues to undergo, huge structural change. Whether my client is a bank, fund or company, the risks it now encounters on a financing deal are very different to the risks encountered in the past. With over 20 years of experience advising clients on all different types of deals, including debt, gap and equity, I help my clients identify risks and structure deals, often across multiple jurisdictions, to best protect their interests. Deadlines are often critical on film and television productions. I work with my clients and other parties to ensure that deals close on time and within budget.”

Patrick Rennie

Patrick is a highly experienced data protection expert with specialist knowledge across the Film & TV, Interactive Entertainment and Betting & Gaming sectors. “Data protection is a passion for me, but I understand that this might not be true for all our clients. My role is to help you understand how data protection applies to your business and the most effective way to solve your privacy issues. I pride myself on providing commercially focused advice to clients and explaining complicated matters in a clear, jargon-free way. Whether you are a new business or an established multinational, you will need to consider GDPR and other data legislation. I have advised on almost every aspect of data protection, from conducting audits to acting as the DPO for a FTSE 250 company. If you have a question that relates to GDPR, cookies or direct marketing then I would be pleased to help. My Film & TV experience means that I understand the lifecycle of a production and the data protection issues that will arise – such as appropriate wording in a Casting Director’s agreement or collecting health data of talent for the purposes of obtaining production insurance. I work with many games publishers and developers and provide advice on all aspects of personal data, with a particular focus on the Age Appropriate Design Code (also known as the Children’s Code). On the Betting & Gaming side, I work closely with our market leading gambling team and understand the regulatory obligations that operators face and how data protection fits into licensing requirements. On the Telecoms side of things, I have assisted clients (both b2b and b2c) on data protection compliance and the intersection between Telecoms regulation and data protection.”

Seth Roe

Seth specialises in advising the film and TV, video games, sports, betting and gaming and technology sectors on the employment issues that arise when people, creativity and commercial pressures collide. “I’m passionate about my clients and the businesses they run. I like getting under the skin of an organisation, understanding what it is trying to achieve and then finding a practical route through whatever people issue is getting in the way. I work closely with executives, HR teams, in-house lawyers and managers on everything from day-to-day employee relations to complex disputes, restructurings, business protection and trade union issues. I’m particularly interested in the employment challenges that arise in sectors where the workforce, working practices and commercial pressures are anything but conventional. Much of my work involves helping clients navigate difficult or sensitive situations where there is no straightforward answer. That might mean defending a high-value High Court or Employment Tribunal claim, managing a challenging grievance or investigation, advising on the departure of a senior employee or supporting a business through a major organisational change. I also regularly advise businesses when employment issues intersect with business protection considerations, including providing hands-on strategic input on matters connected to restrictive covenants, confidentiality, intellectual property and the protection of key client and commercial relationships. I have particular experience advising businesses operating in the creative, sports and technology sectors. I regularly advise production companies, studios, gambling operators, publishers and football clubs on the employment issues that are unique to their industries. Some of my recent work includes successfully defending a number of highly sensitive Employment Tribunal claims involving whistleblowing and discrimination (including securing substantial costs awards against several claimants), advising on a sensitive and complicated investigation into a complaint lodged by several cast on a high-profile TV show, advising on a range of large-scale restructurings and change programs (including many such projects within the video games industry), and helping clients navigate complex employee relations and workplace issues, including many with trade union considerations. I also spend a significant amount of time looking at what is coming next for employers. I regularly write and speak about developments in employment law, including the changing trade union landscape, harassment and workplace culture, AI and employee relations, and the impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025. I have chaired industry working groups and regularly deliver workshops and training for clients and industry bodies on issues ranging from TUPE and restructuring to harassment prevention and employee relations.”

Alexander Ross

Alexander is a leading UK commercial lawyer with a wide-ranging practice, including over 30 years’ experience in the music industry. “I’m first and foremost a music and copyright lawyer, and I’ve been advising on music rights for over 30 years. At Wiggin, we advise a wide range of clients on music matters, both copyright owners and copyright licensees: record labels, music publishers, digital platforms (particularly SVOD services), music distributors, music financiers, video games developers, film and TV producers, music industry trade bodies and collective management organisations. We are particularly experienced in global collective rights licensing, and also in music catalogue finance and acquisition. My other area of work is in the publishing sector, where I advise book publishers, magazine publishers and online publishers on a range of issues, including podcasting. Outside client work, I sit on the Executive Committee of the International Association of Entertainment Lawyers, and I’m a member of the British Literary and Artistic Copyright Association. I am on the Board of the Gloucestershire-based charity The Music Works, whose work is transforming the lives of children and young people through music.”

Ted Shapiro

With over 30 years’ experience, Ted is recognised as a leading expert in international and European copyright law. His encyclopaedic knowledge of all things copyright and the content sectors as well as his commercial insights and deep understanding of the EU institutions, make him the go to adviser for industry organisations and companies navigating the complex legislative and regulatory environment at the international, EU and Member State levels. Ted, who is Head of the Brussels office, joined Wiggin in January 2013 from the Motion Picture Association in Brussels, where he was the General Counsel for Europe. He is known for assisting clients on issues related to policy, litigation, compliance and commercial transactions. “I help clients develop their strategies for engaging with the EU institutions across the audiovisual, video games, music, publishing and technology sectors. In addition to copyright, I work on matters related to content/media regulation, artificial intelligence, digital markets and services, competition, consumer protection, e-commerce and trade. Recently, I have been advising clients on compliance and strategic responses to major EU initiatives spanning digital regulation (the Digutal Services Act, Digital Markets Act, and the forthcoming Digital Fairness Act), AI governance (the AI Act), media law (the Media Freedom Act), and copyright (the DSM Copyright and SatCab11 Directives). I cut through the political rhetoric and legal complexities, identifying the potential risks and opportunities for clients arising from EU legislative and policy initiatives. I advise on engagement with EU policy- and law-makers at an EU and Member State level to ensure the best possible outcome for the associations and businesses I represent in range of areas. I am passionate in defending the copyright principles underpinning our clients’ businesses – such as territoriality, exclusive rights and contractual freedom – in the EU. I can help you resolve complex copyright issues that arise in the context of commercial transactions, policy debates and litigation.” Ted is admitted to the bar of Massachusetts, the Brussels Bar and is a solicitor in England and Wales. Ted is also a member of The Law Society’s International Committee.

Danielle Sharkey

Danielle is a contentious lawyer with more than 15 years’ experience advising international federations, governing bodies, brands, clubs and athletes across sports regulation, governance and commercial disputes. “Whether I’m advising on high court proceedings, handling a complex disciplinary matter, helping reshape constitutional frameworks, or working through safeguarding protocols, my focus is always on providing clear, practical solutions. I advise on regulatory rules and procedures, integrity and anti-doping issues, safeguarding and athlete welfare, both at national and international level. I also support sporting bodies on constitutional reform, policy development and investigations and support sports in commercial litigation and other disputes. I’ve appeared before numerous sports disciplinary tribunals, at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and in high court proceedings My background includes eight years as in-house counsel at the British Horseracing Authority and a secondment as Head of Regulation at the International Cricket Council. That experience means I understand the pressures governing bodies face and the need for advice that genuinely works in practice. Sport is a fast-paced and constantly evolving industry with unique challenges. Helping clients navigate these changes and stay ahead of regulatory developments is something I find really rewarding.”

Ceri Stoner

Ceri heads our tax team and works with companies in the media and tech sectors across all aspects of their taxation requirements, from compliance to special projects. She’s a member of the ICAEW’s Tax Faculty and leads the Tech London Advocates Tax Group. “I work closely with my clients’ in house teams to support them during times of transition, whether that’s in relation to investments, mergers and acquisitions, special projects, IP or corporate structuring or re-organisations. My ambition is to partner with clients at every stage – whether advising on new ventures or start up structures or investment fund formation or providing technical support and market acumen to well established clients. I’m sensitive to the business costs and reputational issues involved in staying on top of tax developments. I seek to stay close to changes in the tax law and to represent the views of our clients and industry stakeholders to law makers on points that really matter to their sector, enabling inhouse tax and legal counsel to support their business. As the sands shift, I draw on my experience to help clients identify the risks and opportunities posed by a changing landscape. I know that people are at the heart of success in the media and tech sector. Whatever the context, my team and I can also support businesses to select, plan and implement incentive arrangements for management and other employees so that your business can attract and retain the best people.” Ceri Stoner's knowledge an

Ross Sylvester

Ross advises media businesses and technology platforms on commercial deals and regulatory matters. He is a leading adviser on high value content output arrangements and sports media and data rights issues and acts for businesses right across the production and distribution chain. “I work closely with content creators, rightsholders, distributors and platforms to help them monetise their rights and create and deliver entertainment to consumers. I draw on my knowledge of the range of commercial models and exposure to deals at each stage of the value chain to help shape the business terms of the deal as well as address the legal issues. I complement this commercial expertise with a detailed understanding of the regulatory landscape in both the audio-visual and sports sectors. On the technology side, I work on agreements to facilitate delivery, and enhance consumer experiences, in the digital entertainment and leisure ecosystems. My sector focus and work on both the customer and supply side means that I know the important and contentious points on transactions, enabling me to close them quickly and effectively.”

Ben Whitelock

Ben is Wiggin’s Senior Partner, and has over 20 years of experience advising media and technology companies on their deals. “I have a broad range of experience advising on deals in the media and technology sectors. Typical transactions include M&A, shareholder arrangements and joint ventures, corporate venturing and venture capital and corporate re-organisations and restructurings. I’m particularly focused on deals involving film and TV, betting and gaming and publishing/events businesses, acting for leading companies, investors and entrepreneurs in these sectors. A lot of my work has a cross-border element. Clients describe me as “pragmatic, commercial and highly competent” – working with Wiggin’s market-leading commercial and regulatory experts, I enjoy helping clients to cut through negotiations and get their deals done.”

Daniel Whybrew

Dan heads up the Entertainment Finance team at Wiggin. He has worked in LA at the heart of the film business and advises a range of banks, funds, producers, studios and football clubs across the UK, US, Canada, Europe and the Middle East. “I have worked on financing transactions across the film, television, sports, video games and music sectors for over 20 years. I’m involved throughout the lifecycle of a project — from development and production financing through to distribution — and have particular experience in structuring complex, multi-party deals, including those involving tax credits and other incentives. My approach is commercial and pragmatic. I focus on understanding what really matters to my clients and on giving clear, straightforward advice that helps them make decisions and move deals forward. I work closely with both lenders and borrowers and aim to translate complex issues into practical solutions. I take pride in being responsive, and in driving transactions through to completion efficiently. While I’m diligent and detail-focused, I always keep an eye on the key risks and the issues that really matter to my clients in getting a deal done.”

Elizabeth Wiggin

Elizabeth is a commercially savvy litigator who advises clients across the media, publishing, entertainment and technology sectors. She’s been consistently recognised for her excellence in Reputation Management, earning the titles of Rising Star and Leading Associate by The Legal 500 for 2023, 2024, and 2025. Additionally, she’s been acknowledged as an Associate to Watch by Chambers for 2024 and 2025. “I work fiercely to protect my clients’ interests and enforce their rights in challenging and often stressful situations. I understand that litigation can be an unwanted and worrying distraction and I aim to offer pragmatic and responsive advice to help resolve disputes efficiently so that my clients can concentrate on their day jobs. I am solution oriented and work collaboratively with clients to ensure that they are in as strong a position as possible when dealing with a dispute. I am experienced in advising clients both at the pre-action stage and once proceedings have been issued before the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. I have particular expertise in defamation and privacy related disputes and frequently defend clients in the media and publishing sector. I have helped manage some of the highest profile cases of recent years with the highest degree of public interest, which gave impetus to a reform of libel law and the UK’s first anti-SLAPP legislation. These cases include the claims brought against the author, Catherine Belton, and her publisher, HarperCollins, and the claim brought by the Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation against the author, Tom Burgis, and his publisher, HarperCollins.”