We are top-ranked in Chambers and Partners 2012 which provides the following review:

Media & Entertainment

This “knowledgeable and responsive” department is very highly regarded for its expertise in film and television production and talent matters, with recent highlights including working with Vertigo Films on ‘Streetdance 3D’. Other significant clients include Lip Sync Productions, Kudos Films and Television and Revolution Films. The firm is also recognised for its strength in both the commercial and litigious sides of the music industry; it represented ‘The X Factor’ 2010 finalists in contractual negotiations with Syco Entertainment, and has also handled work on behalf of names such as Ministry of Sound, Depeche Mode and Chrysalis.

Client Service “It has a real family feel to it; the client is very well looked after.”

Commercial Awareness “Many of the team’s lawyers have valuable industry experience, and it always focuses on getting the best possible result.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources praise group head Reno Antoniades for his “very enabling approach to getting a deal done. He doesn’t fixate on irrelevant detail – he is about the bigger picture.” He acts for many of the UK’s leading independent producers. Natalie Usher is “an excellent practitioner who is more than capable of handling the heavy lifting.” She has recently been advising on complex cross-border film financings for a high-profile UK production company. Jeremy Gawade chairs the talent group. He counts Bill Bailey and Stephen Fry amongst his clients, and has represented Red Production Company in its sale of the US feature film remake rights for TV drama ‘Unforgiven’. Television department head Richard Lever specialises in work for independent producers, and “has exceptionally wide-ranging industry knowledge, which allows him to offer advice that is always very creative and well-grounded.” Christos Michaels is an equally well-respected film lawyer, who recently represented Ralph Fiennes in his production of ‘Coriolanus’. Andrew Thompson, the firm’s managing partner, has a long-standing and well-deserved reputation within the industry for his stellar representation of established talent. Of late, he has acted as arbitrator in a dispute over digital royalty payment. Clients appreciate that Lawrence Engel “has a depth of experience that means he has seen it all before and knows what to do within five minutes.” He advised Queen on their move from EMI Records to the Universal Group. Contentious music specialist Mike Brookes represents a combination of talent and corporate clients, and recently handled a high-value claim against V2 Music Publishing on behalf of three entrepreneurs. Gordon Williams recently acted in a management dispute against ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ winners Diversity. Robert Lee “is a charming and calm lawyer who presents himself extremely well to clients and gives very thoughtful advice.” He continues to put his vast experience to use advising many of the firm’s top clients.

Defamation & Privacy

This brand protection group acts for a number of celebrities including Bill Bailey, Stephen Fry and Frankie Boyle in defamation and privacy actions. It also provides strategic and pre-publication advice to film production companies such as Kudos Film and Television and Revolution Films.

Commercial Awareness “It provides very sound, sensible and commercial advice.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mike Brookes is lauded as a solicitor who is “very good technically and a great litigator.” He is currently representing Peter Andre in the long-running defamation action against his former wife, Katie Price, as well as providing Kerry Katona with reputation management advice. Gordon Williams “is a very shrewd tactician and a good lawyer” who acted for Michael Winterbottom, Andrew Eaton and their production company in a dispute with the Observer.

Family/Matrimonial

This group continues to build on its strong reputation in the marketplace following its establishment four years ago – the firm is “now consistently seen against the top players.” Based within a firm with a considerable media focus, the team regularly acts for high net worth entertainment and sports personalities. It focuses on complex and very high-value matrimonial finance work, often with international elements.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Catherine Bedford offers expertise in both children and matrimonial finance matters. Sources say: “She is building up a substantial practice of top-end work, and this is not surprising given her client care and ability. I have no doubt that before long Catherine will be one of the leading players in the field.”