Mr Simon Esplen > Russells Solicitors > London, England > Lawyer Profile
Russells Solicitors Offices
YALDING HOUSE
152-156 GREAT PORTLAND STREET
LONDON
W1W 5QA
England
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Mr Simon Esplen
Work Department
Commercial
Position
Managing Partner
Career
Simon’s career in the entertainment industry started in 1986 when he began working as a concert promoter and artist manager. Recognising that his interest lay more in the business and contractual side of the industry, he returned to college to study law, emerging in 1994 to work at a leading independent record company. He joined Russells in 1995 qualifying in 1997 and was appointed managing partner in 2015. He is privileged to have a varied and successful client base including artists (both established and new), managers, songwriters, dancers, magicians, producers/mixers, record and publishing companies, party organisers, models, radio presenters/DJ’s, illustrators, concert promoters and concert production companies. He also runs large due diligence exercises in relation to the acquisition of music companies businesses and catalogues. Simon sits on the Teenage Cancer Trust Music Board.
Lawyer Rankings
London > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment (including media finance)
(Leading individuals)Deeply ingrained in the music industry, Russells Solicitors is a go-to market leader for record companies, publishers, producers, established and up-and-coming artists. Practice co-head Gavin Maude primarily works with artists and industry executives and focuses on emerging talent. The contentious side is headed up by Steven Tregear who leads a team of ‘top notch litigators‘ and predominantly handles copyright infringement, contractual, and audit claims. Also in the leadership team is Simon Esplen who represents a wide variety of industry players on commercial and contractual matters. Chris Gossage leads the firm’s corporate department and recently evidenced his strength in transactions by handling Kobalt Music Royalty Fund II’s catalogue sale to Chord Music. Another specialist for emerging talent is Jo Brittain whereas Ryan Vince focuses on long-term relationships between established artists and record companies. Senior consultant Chris Organ has a varied practice working in the wider field of media & entertainment. John Reid has now moved to Level.