TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Farrer & Co‘s diverse client base spans the media, arts, politics, finance and sports sectors. The team is well-equipped to handle intricate defamation, harassment, blackmail, privacy and AI issues. Practice head Julian Pike is highly experienced in reputational and misinformation matters involving social media and AI platforms. Thomas Rudkin’s broad caseload encompasses high-profile broadcast and publication disputes, online reputation management, and defamation claims. Athalie Matthews specialises in pre-publication media coverage issues. Oliver Lock acts for a number of high-profile athletes and handles complex media and libel claims. Emily Costello and Molly-May Keston both have strength across a range of privacy, data protection and defamation issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Disputes.
Position
Julian heads Farrer & Co's reputation management practice. He has more than 20 years' experience of advising high profile individuals, corporations and institutions who find themselves the subject of attention, whether from mainstream media, online attacks or campaigning/ obsessed individuals. Often Julian will work with public relations advisers, in-house and external, to achieve the best outcomes. This recognises that the law has its limitations, but also that there is a need to take account of the client's long term business and strategic interests, as well as dealing with immediate issue. Having also represented major UK media organisations throughout his career, Julian knows the "art of the possible" and how best this is achieved.
Career
Joined Farrer & Co 1990; Partner 1999.
Memberships
Society of Editors; Media Society Council Member; British Association of Sport and the Law; MCC; Harlequins FC
Education
Southampton University (LLB).
Content supplied by Farrer & Co
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Athalie Matthews is hard-working, proactive and seems to genuinely care about the matter she advised us on.'
‘Tom Rudkin provides really measured advice to clients; he is great at developing strategies to tackle complex matters.’
‘Farrer & Co provide first-rate advice; the team have an ability to understand and absorb complex situations quickly, and are solutions-oriented, thoughtful, and empathetic. Stand-out partners are Thomas Rudkin and Julian Pike.’
‘Farrer & Co's Reputation Management team are the best I have ever worked with. Their approach is calm, holistic and meticulous. I would not hesitate to recommend them.'
‘Tom Rudkin is an excellent partner; he is calm, considered and measured.'
'Oliver Locke is a senior associate with a very bright future; he already has an impressive roster of his own clients, and he is hard-working, thoughtful and diligent.’
Key clients
- The Economist The Football Association