Level welcomes six senior lawyers from rival firms as consultant model gains traction
Boutique law firm Level has welcomed six senior hires from leading firms since November, including arrivals from Sheridans, Clintons, Howard Kennedy, Penningtons Manches Cooper and DRD Partnership, as more experienced lawyers move towards the flexibility and growth opportunities offered by the firm’s boutique fee-sharing consultant model.
The new joiners Jonathan Sternberg, Jonny Harris, John Adams, Kate Conway Davies, Karim Bouzidi and Elizabeth Morley bring extensive experience across music, litigation communications, insolvency and civil fraud, international disputes, and film and television.
Jonathan Sternberg, former Executive Vice President & General Counsel, International at Sony Music Entertainment, joined Level as a consultant. With over forty years of experience in global music law, he has advised on landmark matters including the George Michael contract dispute and major copyright and antitrust cases.
Jonny Harris joined from DRD Partnership as Strategic Communications Partner within Level’s Reputation Management team. A qualified solicitor, accredited mediator and former press regulator, Jonny specialises in litigation communications, crisis response and strategic media engagement, working alongside partner Rachael Somerset.
John Adams joined from Penningtons Manches Cooper, bringing more than twenty years’ experience in contentious insolvency and civil fraud, including advising the U.S. Trustee of Bernard Madoff. He also has specialist expertise in digital-asset disputes and international asset recovery.
Kate Conway Davies, previously at Sheridans before establishing her own consultancy practice, joined Level’s Film & TV team. With over two decades in the industry, she advises on film and television development, production, finance and distribution, acting for leading production companies and talent, and has advised on the filming of major televised events including the BAFTAs.
Karim Bouzidi joined from Clintons where he was Head of Litigation, bringing experience in complex commercial litigation and international arbitration, advising clients on high-value cross-border disputes across the media, entertainment and sports sectors.
Elizabeth Morley joined from Howard Kennedy as a partner in Level’s disputes team. An experienced commercial litigator, she advises on complex cross-border disputes with particular expertise across the media, art and sports sectors, as well as defamation, privacy and reputation management matters.
Level now has 45+ partners and 18 core team members based in Soho, advising clients worldwide across sport, media, entertainment, technology and creative industries.
Morris Bentata, Founding Partner at Level, commented:
“What makes Level distinctive is that this is not a volume model. We bring together a carefully curated group of outstanding lawyers who want to collaborate, build ambitious practices and deliver exceptional work for clients.
The calibre of people joining us reflects that approach. Level is increasingly the place serious lawyers come when they want to accelerate their careers while enjoying the professional and personal benefits of a modern firm.”
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About Level
Level is a boutique law firm built for the modern world of sport, media, entertainment and technology. Grounded in these core sectors since its founding, the firm is increasingly attracting best-in-class lawyers from a wider range of practice areas who want to build ambitious practices within its modern fee-sharing consultant model.
Unlike many larger fee-sharing firms, Level brings together a carefully chosen group of senior lawyers with strong practices and a collaborative mindset. Based in Soho, Level’s team of 45 partners and 18 core staff advise clients ranging from world-leading talent and rights holders to innovative start-ups and multinational brands. The firm is recognised for its progressive culture, specialist expertise and collaborative approach.