Russells Solicitors is a music specialist firm that regularly assists talented individuals, such as artists and actors, in addition to film and TV production companies, with film and TV mandates. The firm handles both contentious and non-contentious issues for independent production companies and advises on the full lifecycle of film and TV productions, assisting clients from development and financing, to production and distribution. Key disputes the firm has expertise in handling include film-to-stage adaption disagreements involving complex licensing arrangements. Music expert Gavin Maude leads the team, which is home to Simon Esplen, who handles commercial transactions for biopics and documentaries for artists and bands, and Henry Priestly, who is the disputes go-to, acting for film production companies and talent.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Henry Priestly and Alex Cole are exceptionally responsive and quick to act. They both show a strong commercial awareness and pragmatism in getting a deal done, whilst protecting our position robustly.’
‘Very personal and human. Russells Solicitors made me feel comfortable and informed the whole way through. They really earned my trust and did a great job on the legal side as well!’
‘Anna Ling was fantastic. She worked closely with me throughout the entire contract negotiation with my client, making sure I understood everything and that we got he best deal in the end. She was quick and brilliantly detailed.’
‘I have been working with Russells for over 30 years. We have worked together on music, film and book deals with great success.’
‘Simon Esplen has long been my go to lawyer at Russells. We have negotiated many deals together over the years big and small and I trust him implicitly, his personal attention to detail and ability to operate over many different areas is exemplary.'
'Simon Jordan is an excellent lawyer!’
Key clients
- Estate of George Michael
- Estate of Amy Winehouse
- Up The Game
- Coldplay
- Bella Mackie
Work highlights
Advised the Estate of George Michael on the development, production, and distribution and exploitation of Wham! Last Christmas Unwrapped.
Advised the Estate of Amy Winehouse on the Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black.
Advised Up The Game on two Blur documentaries, from development and financing, to production and exploitation.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Gavin Maude
Other key lawyers
Henry Priestly; Alex Cole; Anna Ling; Simon Esplen; Simon Jordan