Burges Salmon LLP fields a broad practice that covers areas such as TV and film, music, and publishing, handling matters relating to advertising, marketing as well as IP. Jeremy Dickerson heads the Bristol-based team and is particularly experienced in IP and sports-related work, where he counts both national and global companies amongst his portfolio. Helen Scott-Lawler is another key member of the group, focusing on non-contentious matters such as marketing, brand protection, and commercial contracts. Dispute resolution pertaining to IP issues constitutes a central area of activity for Emily Roberts.
Media and entertainment in South West
Burges Salmon LLP
Practice head(s):
Jeremy Dickerson
Other key lawyers:
Helen Scott-Lawler; Emily Roberts; Richard Hugo
Key clients
BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation)
BBC Studios Ltd
Discovery, Inc.
Eurosport
Virgin Group (including Virgin Enterprises Limited)
20th Century Studios
UKTV
Valleyfest
Racecourse Technical Services Limited (RaceTech)
Racehorse Association
Apetito (Wiltshire Farm Foods)
Work highlights
- Advising the BBC and BBC Studios on all UK and EU trade mark applications and registrations as sole counsel.
- Acting as UK trade mark Counsel for Discovery, Inc and Eurosport, advising on clearance, registry proceedings, and UK enforcement issues.
Osborne Clarke LLP
Osborne Clarke LLP is adept at handling the full spectrum of matters for the media and entertainment industry, ranging from digital regulation to disputes and distribution agreements. Mary Lawrence
is particularly well versed in health and safety matters, and heads up the firm’s broadcast, production, and digital content offering, while Tom Harding serves as head of interactive entertainment. Commercial litigation partner Charlie Wedin is regularly sought out for his experience in disputes relating to cyber security and data privacy. Alex Aisthorpe focuses on consumer protection, content licensing, as well as digital regulation for clients active in the media and entertainment sector.
Practice head(s):
Mary Lawrence; Tom Harding
Other key lawyers:
Charlie Wedin; Alex Aisthorpe
Testimonials
‘Very professional and approachable with a great understanding of our sector and extremely competent.’
‘Mary Lawrence is a pleasure to work with. She provides clear succinct advice in a timely manner and has a great understanding of our industry. Extremely approachable and supportive manner.’
Key clients
Warner Brothers Discovery
Netflix
Amazon Studios
ITV
Miniclip
Hawk-eye Innovations Limited
White Jackman
Lauded for its ‘detailed knowledge of the media landscape’, White Jackman is particularly adept at advising television and digital media production companies, for whom the firm handles data protection issues, licensing matters, and IP work, amongst others. Plymouth’s Duncan White spearheads the practice and has in-depth experience in cross-platform content as well as a host of subject matters including compliance work, contempt issues, and corporate transactions.
Practice head(s):
Duncan White
Testimonials
‘Detailed knowledge of the media landscape. They are proactive and highly experienced in commercial transactions.’
‘Duncan White has a strong and detailed knowledge of media law and has a pragmatic response to issues as they come up.’
‘White Jackman are a very experienced team of media lawyers who I have worked with for over 10 years. They are clear on the legal notes and always willing to support and step in to help in a crisis.’
Key clients
Beagle Media Limited
Boom Cymru TV Limited
Forest Ventures Limited
Kilo Solutions Limited
King of Sunshine Productions Limited
Label1 Television Limited
OR Media Limited
Oxford Scientific Films Limited
Rebel Television and Media Limited
Rock Oyster Media Productions Limited
Screen Cornwall Limited
Storm Force Films Limited
South Shore Productions Limited
Twofour Broadcast Limited
Vaudeville Productions Limited
Work highlights
- Provided legal and business affairs support to Twofour on their seven-part television series The Reluctant Traveller 2 for Apple TV, starring Eugene Levy.
- Advised Vaudeville Productions on all matters relating to the production and broadcast of Derren Brown: Showman, a one-off TV special of Derren Brown’s West End show for Channel 4.
- Provided legal and business affairs support to Label1, the producers of Saving Lives in Leeds, an eight-part series for the BBC.
Battens Solicitors Limited
At Battens Solicitors Limited, media and entertainment clients are supported across financing, production, and broadcasting. The firm counts companies active in television, music, and other forms of media amongst its portfolio, for whom it acts in both disputes and non-contentious matters. Brian Levine is the key contact, advising clients in a regional and national capacity out of the firm’s Bath office. Contentious work is a core area of activity for Peter Livingstone in Yeovil.
Practice head(s):
Brian Levine
Other key lawyers:
Peter Livingstone
Testimonials
‘Excellent breadth of legal knowledge for media, very responsive to client needs.’
‘Very intelligent, knowledgeable, insightful, patient, friendly and responsive to needs.’
Key clients
Mallinson Sadler Productions
Inspire Film & TV
Lynton Guest
Work highlights
- Advising Mallinson Sadler Productions on all matters relating to the financing, production and broadcast of a multi-season prime-time documentary series.
- Advising Inspire Film & TV on their podcast/radio broadcast for the BBC.
- Advising Lynton Guest on royalties relating to 60s hit group “The Love Affair”.