Media, Entertainment & Sport
Counsel for Global Talent and Creative Industries
Our Media, Entertainment & Sport group is one of the UK’s leading advisories for globally recognised talent and the enterprises that surround them. We have a formidable reputation for representing prominent individuals across sport, music, film, and digital media, providing the strategic legal counsel necessary to build, manage, and protect their careers and commercial interests. Our partners are deeply embedded in these industries, offering not just legal expertise but also a network of relationships and a profound understanding of the commercial landscape. We handle high-stakes negotiations and disputes with the tenacity and discretion our clients demand.
Talent Representation & Contract Negotiation
We act for elite athletes, musicians, actors, and digital influencers in the negotiation of their most critical commercial agreements. From player and recording contracts to major brand endorsement and sponsorship deals, we ensure our clients’ interests are rigorously protected and their commercial value is maximised. We are known for our hard-headed negotiation style and our ability to structure complex, multi-faceted deals that provide long-term security and opportunity.
- Negotiating player contracts with clubs and governing bodies
- Structuring recording, publishing, and management agreements for music artists
- Advising on brand endorsement, sponsorship, and appearance deals
- Counsel for influencers and digital creators on platform and brand partnerships
Intellectual Property & Brand Protection
In the creative industries, intellectual property is the core asset. We provide sophisticated advice on the protection and exploitation of our clients’ IP, including trademarks, copyright, and image rights. We work proactively to secure these rights and act decisively to enforce them against infringement. Our work extends to reputation management, where we deploy legal strategies to protect the personal brands and privacy of our high-profile clients against media intrusion and false allegations.
- Trademark registration and portfolio management
- Copyright advice and infringement claims
- Image rights structuring and protection
- Pre-publication advice and actions for defamation and breach of privacy
Dispute Resolution & Arbitration
We are formidable advocates for our clients in times of conflict. Our team has a significant track record of successfully resolving complex disputes within the media, entertainment, and sport sectors. We are experienced in litigation before the High Court and in arbitration before key industry bodies, including the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) and Sport Resolutions. We handle sensitive matters, from contractual disagreements and royalty disputes to disciplinary proceedings, with strategic rigour and a relentless focus on achieving the best possible outcome.
- Representing clients in commercial contract and royalty disputes
- Advising on arbitration proceedings before specialist sports and commercial tribunals
- Handling disciplinary matters before governing bodies
- Post-arbitration proceedings, including appeals and enforcement of awards