Clintons is well-known for its expertise across contentious and non-contentious music issues, assisting leading international and domestic artists. The team has been active in musical theatre rights and music catalogue acquisitions, and on the non-contentious team, Andrew Myers supports music artists with re-negotiations and restructurings, while practice head Berkeley Edwards represents British artists, songwriters, and producers in high-profile negotiations. International artists are looked after by music specialist Nicky Stein, and the firm’s music litigation team is led by Andrew Sharland, who has represented major artists and bands in litigation against labels and managers. He also represents multinational music and media companies and indie US and UK artists in contentious issues. Karim Bouzidi is another key member of the disputes team, alongside Blake Wilner, who uses his technical music expertise to advise on high profile disputes, and Patrick Lawrence, who is a strong civil litigator. The firm also fields a music rights acquisition team that is headed up by Charles Gerada.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Clintons's music team is tenacious and user-friendly, which makes them particularly suited to representing artists. The individuals in the team have a genuine a long-standing love of music, which feeds into their understanding of their clients and their motivation for the work. They are on top of all relevant developments in the music industry and legally are among the very best.’
‘Andrew Sharland is enormously experienced and knowledgeable, but also approachable and very supportive of the team working for him. Patrick Lawrence is excellent, knowledgeable on the law, strategically-minded, driven, capable, on top of detail and user-friendly. Blake Wilner is knowledgeable, focused and with a sound strategic sense, and a very good solicitor.’
‘The team work collaboratively and get into the weeds of a case in order to develop strategy. A go-to for music industry clients.’
‘Andrew Sharland is a strategic litigator and will go the extra mile to explore every avenue of a case for clients. He works hand in hand with counsel to prepare a case, and is on top of every detail. Blake Wilner is a seasoned litigator, and works well to help guide clients through complex issues.’
‘Clintons has an excellent team with each individual member of their team as capable of advising individually as they are as part of a greater team. They are also adept at putting complex legal matters into everyday language.’
‘Andrew Sharland is a fantastic litigator whom I've had the immense pleasure of working with on more than one occasion. Blake Wilner is a wonderful senior associate. It helps, in working with matters related to music, that both are knowledgeable and fans of music.’
Key clients
- Charli XCX
- Radiohead
- Chappell Roan
- Fred again..
- Lewis Capaldi
- Daft Punk
- The 1975
- Max Richter
- The Cure
- Barry Can’t Swim
Work highlights
Represented the former members of the seminal band, The Police, in a contractual dispute with the other former member of the band, Gordon Sumner (pka Sting).
Represented The 1975 in a dispute with the organiser of a music festival in Malaysia that was cancelled, allegedly as a result of the actions of the members of the band.
Advised Hipgnosis Songs Fund Ltd on a multi-million dollar claim regarding rights in the catalogue of Barry Manilow.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Andrew Myers
Andrew Sharland
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Charles Gerada
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Blake Wilner
Practice head
Berkeley Edwards; Andrew Sharland; Charles Gerada
Other key lawyers
Patrick Lawrence; Blake Wilner; Andrew Myers; Nicky Stein; Victoria Wood; Alastair Kenwood; Karim Bouzidi