Rachel Alexander > Wiggin LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

A ‘top-drawer defendant practice‘, Wiggin LLP is known for its market-leading expertise in publishing matters, including pre-publication issues and high-profile litigation. Noted for its well-rounded view of the industry, the firm acts for publishers, content creators and media insurers in commercial disputes, contractual matters, boardroom fallouts, joint venture disputes and free speech cases. The practice also possesses a strong track record in litigation involving copyright infringement, and website blocking as a remedy for content and brand owners. The team is co-led by publishing experts Matthew Dando, Alexander Ross, Rachel Alexander and Ted Shapiro: Alexander leads on cases involving online content enforcement matters, while Dando focuses on libel and privacy cases disputes, and Ross advises on podcasting deals and publishing acquisitions. Robin Shaw represents magazines, newspapers and book publishers in defamation and privacy cases, and Adelaide Lopez – ‘a highly skilled litigator on film and TV matters‘ – assists with contentious issues related to the production and distribution of content.

Wiggin LLP‘s music team is routinely engaged in complex contentious and non-contentious matters, where it acts for a predominantly corporate client base made up of record labels, digital rights companies, streaming services and online platforms. The team boasts strong knowledge of corporate, commercial and regulatory issues, and often assists with catalogue acquisitions and disposals, and mandates concerning generative AI issues and IP law. Rachel Alexander, who excels in copyright and trade mark disputes as well as AI-related issues, leads on contentious work. Georgina Hart offers key support in music-related IP litigation. Alexander Ross oversees non-contentious matters, providing assistance to record labels, publishers, digital platforms and collecting societies in relation to collective rights licensing and music catalogue deals. Peter Mason works alongside Ross in music licensing matters, and also advises on copyright and AI-related issues.

A strong choice for clients operating across the media, entertainment, and technology sectors, Wiggin LLP is notably pre-eminent in the copyright space, while also handling a multitude of trade mark and design mandates for global household names. The team is noted for being ‘sharp, technical and creative in their advice’ as well as displaying ‘great industry knowledge’. Sara Ashby, who leads the group, boasts extensive disputes experience. Rachel Alexander is well regarded her wide-ranging practice that encompasses a variety of IP rights for clients active across the film, music, and publishing sectors, among others. Brands expert John Colbourn has recently been engaged to manage global trade mark portfolios, while Michael Browne‘s arsenal of skills incorporate various aspects of enforcement and exploitation in sectors such as fashion, technology, and gaming. Joanne Gibbs, software and technology expert Calum Smyth, and Peter Dawson continue to elevate the practice with their diverse IP practices.

With AI experience spanning the film, gaming, and music industries, Wiggin LLP actively blends ‘deep legal expertise’ and ‘genuine proficiency in AI technology’ when advising domestic and international clients on complex copyright issues and global regulatory compliance measures. The team covers the gamut of IP-related matters, frequently managing the acquisition and exploitation of data in the AI space, with the head Mark Deem leveraging his ‘thorough and extensive experience’ when assisting with AI investments and risk management affairs. Marcus Bagnall is an expert on blockchain solutions and NFT development, Rachel Alexander is knowledgeable on online enforcement issues, while Ross Sylvester primarily focuses on commercial deals in the AI field. Alexander Ross represents record labels and digital platforms, and Calum Smyth is a specialist in complex technology transactions.