England - London • Dispute resolution
Harbottle & Lewis LLP
'An excellent mid-market option', Harbottle & Lewis LLP's commercial litigation team routinely represents the firm's core media, technology and entertainment sector clients in major disputes. It also acts for retail and financial sector clients, as well as HNW individuals from the firm’s renowned private capital department. Commercial litigation leader Sandi Simons 'gets on top of cases' details'; Louis Castellani's caseload covers a range of contentious work; Matthew Leverton is 'a standout litigator'; and Sofie Hoffman acts in contentious trust and probate claims involving dishonesty allegations. In June 2023, Georgina Long and Lizzie Williams were elevated to managing associate level.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Peerless in the media sector, but with all-round commercial nous.’
‘Sandi Simons is a great partner, who is very easy to work with and gets on top of cases' details.’
‘This team is an excellent mid-market option - lean, adaptable and skilful, and well led by Sandi Simons.’
‘Louis Castellani and Sandi Simons are both very shrewd and experienced operators.'
'Matthew Leverton is a standout litigator with an impressive caseload.'
'Sofie Hoffman does an excellent job for clients - more than capable of managing both the mediation and negotiation side of proceedings.'
'Always willing to think about different ways to engage with clients, and how to keep costs down and provide deep support.’
'Lizzie Williams and Georgina Long have very strong litigation instincts and will go far.’
Key clients
- Various subsidiaries of NBC Universal
- LiveNation & Ticketmaster
- Virgin Atlantic Airways
- Oxford University Press
- IS Prime
- ISFE 21
- The Al-Sanea Family
- BCT
- Spanish Steps Holdings
Work highlights
- Assisting IS Prime and ISFE21 with Commercial Court proceedings (as well as playing a global coordination role in respect of related proceedings in the US), in relation to the breach of an exclusivity obligation by Think group.
- Successfully appealed a $16m Commercial Court judgment against Mishal Al-Sanea in the Court of Appeal.
- Acts for BCT, the corporate trustee of the A Eugene Brockman Charitable Trust (the Trust), and its subsidiary Spanish Steps Holding, in claims against the former sole director of the former corporate trustee of the Trust, Evatt Tamine.
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Sandi has been a dispute resolution specialist for over 25 years. She is a Partner and Head of the firm's Commercial Litigation group and Co-Head of the multi-disciplinary Retail and Fashion group. She undertakes a wide variety of commercial litigation , providing key strategic and commercial advice from the outset of any dispute. Sandi has extensive knowledge and experience in all areas of the media and entertainment industry and advises a number of the firm’s retail, fashion, interactive entertainment, music, publishing, theatre, film and television clients.As well as having wide-ranging experience in taking cases to trial, she also has significant experience in both bringing and defending applications for injunctive relief. She is also experienced in resolving disputes through alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Sandi Simons