Lee & Thompson LLP's media finance practice is centred around film and TV financing, advising financiers, producers, studios and others looking for support in structuring deals. The team has represented UK-based banks, lending institutions, and private equity firms in structured finance-end transactions, and a large portion of the deals the firm handles are cross-border co-production film and TV deals. Practice head Sam Tatton-Brown is sought out for his film and TV finance expertise, advising on audio-visual rights, production, and exploitation. Film specialist Christos Michaels boasts a wealth of experience handling complex deal structures, including multi-party structured arrangements, studio, and streamer deals. Sarah Cundall is noted for her work on financing for film and TV clients.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Lee and Thompson LLP are experts in their field and continue to invest in developing their talent pipeline.'
'Their training programme and outreach work such as summer internships allow access to the film and TV industry for the next generation of legal practitioners.’
‘My experience with L&T is that it's very much a team effort. Stephen Spence is a highly knowledgeable media lawyer and tough negotiator. He has the unique quality of having production experience to compliment his legal knowledge which makes him a highly effective media lawyer.'
'Michael Maquieira is definitely an industry leader in the future.'
'Damian McParland is someone clients will always enjoy working with. He has valuable experience in finance and is excellent at communicating it to clients.’
‘Top-tier service with exceptional knowledge and understanding of deal making in the film and TV sector.’
Key clients
- Head Gear Films
- BBC
- Rocket Science
- Firebird Productions
- FilmNation
Work highlights
Advised Head Gear Films on providing finance for the film Hot Milk starring Emma Mackey and Fiona Shaw and directed by Rebecca Lenkiewicz.
Advised Warp Films on the financing of the huge television series Adolescence starring Stephen Graham, directed by Philip Barantini and written by Jack Thorne.
Advised the BBC on its equity funding and license of certain exploitation rights regarding the film The Outrun, directed by Nora Fingscheidt and featuring Saoirse Ronan.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
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
Sam Tatton-Brown
Other key lawyers
Christos Michaels; Sarah Cundall; Michael Maquieira; Damian McParland; Stephen Spence