Patrick Mitchell > Latham & Watkins > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Noted for its cross-border capabilities, Latham & Watkins handles content financing, production, acquisitions and licensing deals for film and TV clients. Latterly, the team has been particularly active in the sports sector, assisting sports streamers and broadcasters with regulatory and corporate issues as well as production arrangements and media rights sales. Practice head Rachel Astin advises US studios, rights owners, international TV channels and streaming platforms on live sports broadcast deals, rights licensing arrangements and M&A transactions. Patrick Mitchell co-leads the team and is known for his expertise across sports and media. Lisbeth Savill retired in January 2024.

Undertaking a blend of commercial deals, event-based work, investment mandates and contentious proceedings, the Latham & Watkins practice is ‘excellent to work with’, frequently representing governing bodies and major tech companies. Patrick Mitchell heads from London, being an expert in media rights and sponsorship arrangements; Edward Barnett assists clients in cross-border M&A; while Martin Davies is a sports litigation expert. Farah O’Brien and Sanjev Warna-kula-suriya bring corporate and finance specialism, and Sam Newhouse focuses on joint ventures.

Gaming, music, film and TV clients turn to Latham & Watkins for assistance with content financing, development, acquisition and licensing deals. Patrick Mitchell and Rachael Astin jointly oversee the practice; Mitchell acts for sports governing bodies, corporates, financiers and investors in commercial transactions, while Astin centres her practice on advising US studios, international TV channels, and streaming platforms on transactional and regulatory issues. Private and public companies and financial investors regularly seek Mike Turner‘s assistance with video games rights. Former practice head Lisbeth Savill retired in January 2024.