Level Law > London, England > Firm Profile

Level Law
20-22 Shelton Street
WC2H 9JJ
England

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Music Tier 2

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.

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Raffaella de Santis is conscientious, pragmatic, and is able to turn agreements around to tight deadlines. It makes a big difference knowing that she understands the commercial realities of certain situations and can give focused and practical advice.’

‘The team is exceptionally able, willing and personable when it comes to all aspects of their practice. They operate well as a team and are always available to offer valuable insight and perspectives when it comes to new areas of law.’

‘As a team I cannot rate them highly enough.’

‘I cannot praise Halina Wielogorska highly enough for her professionalism and willingness to tackle the new legal challenges created by emerging technologies. She oprates in an enthusiastic, proactive and innovative manner, drawing on years of experience working in more the more traditional music and entertainment space.’

Key clients

Morrissey

Dylan Mills (Dizzee Rascal)

YourWorld Holdings

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Arcadia

SiFi Productions

Warner Music Entertainment

Never Never Productions

Work highlights

  • Advised Morrissey on a new studio record and catalogue exploitation contract with Capitol Records in the US.
  • Advised Warner Music Entertainment on the production and distribution agreements for the ‘Liam Gallagher: Knebworth 22’ documentary.
  • Represented Dizzee Rascal on a number of commercial transactions and the renegotiation of his existing exclusive song writing agreement with Notting Hill Music.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Sport Tier 2

A diverse range of clients turn to Level Law for its ‘professional and knowledgeable’ approach across a host of sports law mandates. Morris Bentata is a key contact for sports media rights holders across football, basketball and horseracing,  advising on production, commercial agreements, and digital licenses for major sporting competitions. Daniel Lowen and Liz Coley work with a number footballers, agents and agencies on contract renewals, transfers and contentious issues – including breaches of contracts and FA intermediary regulations. Beyond football, Lowen works with elite athletes across a number of sports who require advice on media rights, sponsorships and contractual issues, while Coley is noted for her experience in all manner of employment disputes. Tim Lowles focuses on litigation concerning media rights agencies and competition rights holders as well as disputes between governing bodies and its sponsors, most recently in the NFT space. Rowena Samarasinhe remains a key name to note, particularly for Olympic sports, while Victoria Evans‘ expertise covers the contracting of professional golfers and tournament arrangements. The team has deepened its bench strength with the autumn 2022 arrivals of Jodie Seddon and John Reid from gunnercooke LLP and Russells Solicitors, respectively. Seddon, in particular, is noted for her work on anti-doping and safeguarding matters in basketball, hockey and equestrian sports. Fraser Reid, Dan Harrington and Alastair Campbell are further key members of the team.

Testimonials

‘We have worked with Level Law for over ten years now. Their collective knowledge of the sports industry is absolutely vital to our business, and they are always our first point of call when we need legal services. The team at Level Law are not only professional and knowledgeable, they are all extremely personable and as such, always a pleasure to deal with.’

‘We primarily work with Dan Lowen and would not hesitate to recommend his services. Dan’s industry expertise and experience is invaluable to us a company. We have complete confidence in his advice, judgement and ability to manage any situation on our behalf.’

‘No matter the time or situation, Level will do their very best to promptly attend to any matter.’

‘Liz Coley will go above and beyond to help. Furthermore, she is extremely thorough and provides a service that is extremely high quality and detailed. She has my full trust, and I know our organization is indebted to Level and Liz for their brilliant work over the years.’

‘Level Law has very significant expertise in media rights, which combined with strong commercial outlook, makes for a great a legal service provision.’

‘Dan Harrington is arguably the best sports media rights lawyer in the UK. Tom Lowles is a high-class litigation lawyer.’

Key clients

FIFA

AFC

UEFA

DAZN

CAA11

Pitch

Atalanta

Astro

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang

Wesley Fofana

Reece James

LIV Golf Ltd

FIBA

Interregional Sports Group Limited

RDA Television LLP

Rugby Football Union

Professional Squash Association

British Mountaineering Council

Work highlights

  • Advised FIBA and FIBA Media in relation to a variety of production agreements and media rights agreements around the world.
  • Advising LIV Golf Ltd on pre-launch and actioning the contracting of professional golf players in connection with the set-up of the LIV Golf League.
  • Advising on over 140 premier league transfers and new contracts during the Summer 2022 transfer window, including deals for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Wesley and Reece James.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media: Film & TV Tier 3

Level Law‘s film and television offering includes Jennifer Parker, who advises on the development, production, financing and exploitation of audiovisual content across all platforms, and Tony Morris, an expert on contractual, commercial and IP matters. Seasoned litigator Tim Lowles is a regular port of call for media rights holders in contractual disputes and is also geared to provide reputation management advice to the firm’s high-profile roster of talent.

Other key lawyers:

Jennifer Parker; Tony Morris; Tim Lowles; Dan Harrington; Morris Bentata; Halina Wielogorska

Testimonials

‘The team are exceptionally able, willing and personable when it comes to all aspects of their practice. They operate well as a team and are always available to offer valuable insight and perspectives when it comes to new areas of film and television.’

‘As a team I cannot rate them highly enough.’

‘I cannot praise Halina Wielogorska highly enough for her professionalism and willingness to tackle new legal challenges created by emerging technologies. She operates in an enthusiastic, proactive and innovative manner, drawing on years of experience working in the more traditional entertainment sector.’

‘There is a broad and complementary team and we are already connecting with the wider group to support our needs as a business.’

‘Tony Morris is a unique talent. He is vastly experienced in small to medium-sized film productions and has the personality and expertise to help his clients navigate those tricky deals.’

‘True specialism in the screen sector – this was clear from the outset.’

Key clients

Ditto Films Limited

Snafu Pictures Ltd

RDA Television LLP

Blink

Global Fan Network

Alma

Genesius Pictures Limited

YourWorld Holdings

FIFA, AFC, UEFA, DAZN, CAA11, Pitch, Atalanta and Astro

Birmingham Royal Ballet

Work highlights

  • Defending RDA Television LLP in a €10 million claim brought by European Professional Club Rugby in the Commercial Court and subsequent appeal in Court of Appeal.
  • Advised Genesius Pictures Limited on all the production, finance and sales aspects of the film “Good Luck To You, Leo Grande” starring Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormick.
  • Advising Ditto Films on all the finance, development, production and exploitation aspects of the client’s current British feature production of “Warhol”.

Employment > Senior executives Tier 4

Level Law fields a team of 'senior heavyweight specialists' who are well versed in representing senior executives, particularly those operating within the TV and film sector. The team is jointly headed up by Elizabeth Johnson and John Reid, who handle contentious departures and arrivals, assist with employment contract negotiations, and advise on reputation management issues. The team also acts in discrimination cases pertaining to neurodiversity.

Practice head(s):

Elizabeth Johnson; John Reid

Testimonials

‘Elizabeth Johnson stands out in the team. She understands issues and objectives as if they are her own and she can disentangle and simplify complicated matters with ease. A calm, knowledgeable and smart employment lawyer who is a tenacious negotiator with attention to detail.’

‘John Reid has had a thriving senior executive practice for decades. He is focused, commercial and dedicated.’

‘The employment practice has a solid and impressive team of senior heavyweight specialists as well as sharp juniors and supportive assistants. Together they provide a seamless operation and efficient service.’ 

‘Elizabeth Johnson is exceptional, professional and incredibly commercially astute. She is able to put clients immediately at ease and understand their objectives. She provides fast, pragmatic and sensible advice and is very impressive from start to finish.’

Work highlights

  • Advised on non-player senior executive contracts as part of the acquisition of a premier league football club.
  • Advised on the exit of a CEO from an internationally-recognised company.
  • Advised a senior executive on associated discrimination arising from the invisible disability post-traumatic stress disorder of a child.

Private client > Family

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment

North West > TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Media and entertainment

Level is a unique firm for specialist lawyers working with clients in media, entertainment, technology and sport. The firm enables self-employed lawyers to run and grow their practices on their own terms, enjoy a more flexible way of working and keep the lion’s share of their billings. Level is recognised as one of The Times Best Law Firms 2022.

Main areas of practice
  • Sport
  • Media
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Family/private client
  • Employment
  • Dispute resolution
Work highlights
  • Advised DAZN (Live & On-Demand Sports Streaming) on major projects including acquisition of exclusive global rights to the UEFA Women’s Champions League and its global distribution partnership for the UEFA Women’s Champions League with YouTube
  • Advised on 130 player transfers, loans and new contracts during the 2021 summer transfer window, including Emile Smith-Rowe’s new contract at Arsenal, Takehiro Tomiyasu’s transfer to Arsenal, Maxwel Cornet’s move to Burnley, Leon Bailey’s and Emiliano Buendia’s moves to Aston Villa, Will Hughes’ move to Crystal Palace and many more transactions widely reported in the press.
  • Advised Asian Football Confederation on all commercial legal matters, including a multi-billion dollar agency agreement, sponsorship agreements, media rights agreements and disputes with various parties including several high-value international arbitrations.
  • Advised Wolverhampton Wanderers on establishing the first ever record label set up by a UK football club – ‘Wolves Records’.
  • Advised director Paul Dugdale on his director’s agreement for the award winning “Adele One Night Only” production and for the Glastonbury Live at Worthy Farm project.
  • Represented RDA Television in a ca. EUR10m claim brought by European Professional Club Rugby and in a corresponding counterclaim.
Department Name Email Telephone
Founding Partner Daniel Lowen daniel.lowen@level.law
Founding Partner Dan Harrington dan.harrington@level.law
Founding Partner Morris Bentata morris.bentata@level.law
Founding Partner Fraser Reid fraser.reid@level.law
Photo Name Position Profile
Mark Ashelford photo Mark Ashelford Mark is a specialist digital and social media lawyer, with over 20…
Clare Barber photo Clare Barber Clare is a highly experienced corporate lawyer with a particular focus in…
Morris Bentata photo Morris Bentata Morris is an accomplished sports lawyer and is widely recognised as a…
Carolyn Burbridge photo Carolyn Burbridge Consultant
Alastair Campbell photo Alastair Campbell Alastair is an experienced litigation lawyer who acts on behalf of sophisticated…
Liz Coley photo Liz Coley Liz is a highly experienced sports lawyer, who offers clients an indepth…
Irving David photo Irving David As a music and entertainment lawyer, Irving has built up an impressive…
Raffaella De Santis photo Raffaella De Santis Raffaella De Santis joined Level’s media and entertainment team in 2022. She…
Sofia Dionissiou-Moussaoui photo Sofia Dionissiou-Moussaoui Sofia is adept at advising high-level celebrity clients in the music, entertainment,…
Victoria Evans photo Victoria Evans Victoria is a commercial lawyer with ten years’ of experience working for…
Dan Harrington photo Dan Harrington Dan Harrington is a commercial lawyer with over 20 years’ experience advising…
Elizabeth Johnson photo Elizabeth Johnson Elizabeth is an employment and dispute resolution law specialist. Previously the Head…
Natalie Kadas photo Natalie Kadas Natalie is a creative and dynamic commercial lawyer who works across the…
Daniel Lowen photo Daniel Lowen Dan is an experienced sports lawyer, recognised as a leading adviser in…
Tim Lowles photo Tim Lowles Tim is a seasoned litigator with a broad range of experience handling…
Jody Macdonald photo Jody Macdonald Jody MacDonald is a leading commercial and IP lawyer in the sports…
Jennifer Parker photo Jennifer Parker Jenny is a specialist Film and TV lawyer, recognised as a “Rising…
John Reid photo John Reid John is a very experienced litigator who handles a wide range of…
Fraser Reid photo Fraser Reid Fraser is a commercial lawyer who specialises in advising athletes and talent,…
Rowena Samarasinhe photo Rowena Samarasinhe Rowena is a commercial lawyer with over ten years of dedicated experience…
Suzi Sendama photo Suzi Sendama Suzi advises clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters, spanning a number…
Alastair Shaw photo Alastair Shaw Consultant
Claudia Vincenzi photo Claudia Vincenzi Consultant
Halina Wielogorska photo Halina Wielogorska Halina is a highly-regarded music and entertainment lawyer who has built up…
Rochelle Winn photo Rochelle Winn Rochelle is a commercial lawyer with many years of specialist experience within…
James Woodward photo James Woodward James is an emerging media and entertainment lawyer who has developed a…
Lawyers : 25