‘Well known and respected in the fields of reputation and privacy management’, the practice at Russells Solicitors is renowned for representing high-profile and high-net-worth clients - particularly from the music industry - in libel, privacy, harassment, and data protection matters with the aim of avoiding publicity. Practice head Steven Tregear, who ’brings fantastic judgement from his years of experience in resolving disputes’, is noted for his work in phone-hacking litigation. Recently promoted partner Dan Hoyle leverages his extensive experience in commercial litigation to advise on libel claims, pre and post-publication disputes, harassment and data protection issues.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Well known and respected in the fields of reputation and privacy management.’

  • ‘Steven Tregear is a leading and highly respected lawyer in reputation management. He is instructed for his knowledge and tenacity.'

  • 'Eliot Leggo is an experienced, knowledgeable and hardworking associate.’

  • ‘Dan Hoyle is a polished and clever lawyer.’

  • ‘Specialist, focused, agile, understand their clients' immediate needs and wider interests.’

  • 'Steven Tregear earns the complete trust of his clients and deservedly so. He brings fantastic judgement from his years of experience in resolving disputes.’
  • ‘Quick response and makes time to listen to client requirements before presenting solutions. Patient and understanding.’

  • ‘Dan Hoyle is excellent. He gets straight to the point and is able to cut to the key issues in a case.'

Key clients

  • Coldplay
  • the Estate of Amy Winehouse
  • the parents of Madeleine McCann
  • the Estate of George Michael
  • Cheryl Tweedy
  • Nicola Roberts
  • Kimberley Walsh
  • Ian Wright
  • Alan McGee
  • Mitchell Winehouse
  • Primal Scream
  • Roisin Murphy
  • Natalie Imbruglia
  • Tulisa Contostavlos
  • the Estate of Charles Kennedy
  • Alistair Carmichael MP
  • Guy Chambers
  • The Last Dinner Party

Work highlights

  • Acting for numerous well-known actors, singers, models, and music professionals in phone hacking litigation against NGN and MGN.
  • Representing Mitch Winehouse, father of Amy Winehouse, in defamation litigation against Macmillan Publishers, Tyler James and ghost writer Sylvia Patterson over what he believes are defamatory statements made in My Amy: The Life We Shared.
  • Successfully acting for Alan McGee (the legendary music industry executive best known for co-founding Creation Records and discovering the band Oasis) in bringing two sets of High Court proceedings for harassment, defamation and misuse of private information.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Steven Tregear

Other key lawyers

Dan Hoyle, Eliot Leggo