TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Harbottle & Lewis LLP is well-versed in both the theatre and publishing sectors. Its theatre-focused team has long-standing expertise advising on West End productions, advising producers, theatre owners, not-for-profit companies, venues, and other industry bodies. The group has advised on notable musicals and plays launching and continuing production on the West End, and it has assisted rights-holders and producers with theatre opportunities. The team has also continued to expand its overseas presence, advising on international theatre projects. Neil Adleman leads the theatre team and has aided numerous clients with opening productions on Broadway and the West End. Newly promoted partner Harry Bresslaw is key to assisting producers and rights holders. Turning to the publishing practice, it supports clients with the legal implications of AI and other commercial issues; its client roster includes authors, literary estates, brands, publishers, rights holders, and literary agents, and the practice advises on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Shireen Peermohamed heads up the publishing team as an expert in commercial issues, AI, brand protection, enforcement, and copyright matters. Zoey Forbes is noted for her work on publishing agreements, cross-media rights acquisition, and exploitation.
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Intellectual Property and Publishing
Position
Shireen is a partner and head of our intellectual property and publishing practices.
Shireen advises on all types of intellectual property, with a particular emphasis on pragmatic and cost effective disputes and strategic advice. She also provides advice on the protection of IP, IP audits, the exploitation and disposal of IP and the management and enforcement programmes Her 30 years’ experience means that she is a trusted adviser to many leading businesses and has deep and strong experience in a number of sectors and issues.
Shireen works with clients in a wide range of sectors, including FMCG, retail, fashion, film, TV and theatre, publishing, music, video games and travel. She has a particular interest in the publishing industry (advising a number of leading publishers, authors, literary estates and content platforms) and in cutting edge issues such as the intersection between AI and IP.
Shireen has been listed as both a recommended IP lawyer and a recommended publishing lawyer by Chambers and The Legal 500 for many years. She has been ranked by IP Stars as a ‘Top 250 Women in IP 2025’, ’Trade mark star 2025’, and ‘Transactions Star 2025’.
Shireen was a council member of the Advertising Standards Authority, adjudicating on advertising complaints, for six years. She currently sits on the Portman Group Independent Complaints Panel and the Games Rating Authority Appeals Panel.
Career
- Trained, Clifford Chance; qualified 1989, assistant solicitor 1989-1993;
- Assistant solicitor, Ashursts 1993-97;
- Partner, Rouse Legal (formerly Willoughby & Partners) 1997-2008;
- Partner, Harbottle & Lewis 2009 to present;
Memberships
Shireen is a member of the Video Standards Council Appeals Panel and a former member and NED of the Advertising Standards Authority.
Education
- Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Blackburn;
- Balliol College, Oxford (MA Hons PPE)
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team were excellent communicators — we were kept fully in the loop about progress at all times and never had to chase for information. All our queries were responded to promptly and in full. All work was produced to a very high standard and turned around according to tight deadlines.’
‘Shireen Peermohamed stood out for her commercial understanding, her level-headed assessment of the situation and the clarity with which she communicated her opinions/advice. She was willing to adapt her approach to best suit our needs and we had full confidence that the situation was being handled in the best possible way under her supervision. Daniel Prim handled the day-to-day work professionally and was responsible for much of the excellent communication on behalf of the team.’
‘The practice was efficient and helpful, and dealt with my requirements thoroughly and with meticulous attention to detail. Their advice was invaluable. I am entirely satisfied with my experience of Harbottle & Lewis.’
‘I dealt mainly with Zoey Forbes, and also Rosie Marston. Both were outstandingly helpful and efficient, and always most pleasant on a personal level.’
‘Fantastic team combining technical skills and brilliant industry knowledge.’
‘Their connections and integration within the theatre industry are unrivalled.’
‘I found the team at Harbottle & Lewis to be extremely knowledgeable with an excellent duty of care. The team at Harbottle & Lewis was unfazed by my unique situation and helped me on my journey.’
‘I worked closely with Zoey Forbes, whom I found to be exceptional. Her thorough and attentive nature helped identify some potential pitfalls of the publisher's contract as well as negotiating a better financial reward for me. What really was extremely helpful was Zoey being able to negate some of the difficult tasks the publishers had originally assigned to me in the contract.'
Key clients
- National Theatre Sonia Friedman Productions The Old Vic Donmar Warehouse Punchdrunk Sadler’s Wells Playful Productions Michael Cassel Group Gorgeous Entertainment Wessex Grove Hachette UK #Merky Books Limited Rebellion Publishing The Publishers Association The Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers The Association of Authors Agents The Estate of Sir Terry Pratchett Fyshe
Work highlights
Assisted Dunmanifestin with issues related to the publishing rights in the works of Sir Terry Pratchett.