Simons Muirhead Burton
Client SatisfactionSimons Muirhead Burton is a popular choice for clients engaged in the sale and acquisition of music assets, including catalogue deals. Corporate matters are a core focus for the practice, which advises artists, independent music publishers, music managers and executives. Practice head Richard Baskind advises a mix of artists, songwriters, music executives and independent record labels on sales and acquisitions. Alasdair George has a solid track record in the music sector, and focuses on M&A and corporate transactions. Zack Gold is also active in assisting with a mix of corporate matters in the music industry, including partnerships, joint ventures and shareholder relations.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘SMB is a small, tight-knit team of music and entertainment attorneys. The two partners have been there for years, while the associates have a wealth of experience from different companies and specialties within the business. SMB provides top-level advice and is always commercially conscious on behalf of its clients. As a small team, each client knows exactly what they are getting on each transaction.’
‘The best attorneys in the music business provide the following: excellent deal/contract negotiation skills, commercial knowledge and consciousness, and lastly great advice. It is the third point, the great advice, that makes SMB stand out. Richard Baskind and Alasdair George are second to none in terms of the quality of the advice they provide. The two complement each other perfectly. This is what keeps me coming back to SMB.’
‘The team understands the business and the characters that make up the business. They have a wealth of experience.’
‘I've worked with various entertainment law firms in the UK and feel Simons Muirhead Burton is a step above the rest. The team is always available and responsive, and covers all areas of the music business - which is what I deal with them on in particular. I have worked with them on everything, from executive contracts to commercial terms on artist contracts and litigation. They have always delivered exceptional service.’
‘Richard Baskind is a very experienced lawyer in the music space with an exceptional ability to think outside of the box and find solutions to any roadblocks. Thorough in his work and very easy to speak to - he has the ability to break down key points and issues in order to explain to the client and receive advice. Responses are quick and work is of top quality.'
- 'I think Zack Gold is one of the best young lawyers in the UK music business. Incredibly creative in his approach. Thorough in his work and provides great advice. I have worked with him for past 5 years and he not only excels on commercial terms but also has a very good eye for picking up any tricky and idiosyncratic issues buried in the agreements. ’
‘Heather de Allende is a genius and a wizard lawyer who is very particular and has a lot of attention to detail. I love working with her and most importantly she is very fast to turn things around.’
Key clients
- Primary Talent International Limited
- FAE Ventures Limited
- Arctic Rights Management AS
- NQ Music Group
- Tom Grennan
- Sola Records Limited
- SubSoul Limited
- Lorne Balfe
- Alan Walker
- Kreatell Music Group
- Catfish & the Bottlemen
- Evgeny Grinko
- Ari PenSmith
- 42 M&P Ltd
- Spirit Music Group
- Holly Humberstone
- Ian Broudie (The Lightening Seeds)
- Sarah Brightman
- Nick Cave
- Cosmos Music AB
- Closer Management
- Locomotion Group
- Chosen Group
- Interland Music
Work highlights
- Acted for Matthew Bates, together with other members of the management team of Primary Talent International Limited, in a management buyout of the company.
- Advised FAE Ventures Limited on the sale of the entire recorded music catalogue of the artist Lil Peep to the artist’s estate.
- Assisted the principal shareholders in Arctic Rights Management AS with the sale of the entire issued share capital of the company to US-based independent publisher Peermusic.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Richard Baskind