We’re delighted to have been recognised again by independent legal directory, Legal 500. We’re proud of our top tier rankings in Music, Media Finance and Film & TV, our excellent positioning for Video Games, Advertising & Marketing and the strong rankings for our Intellectual Property, Employment and Reputation Management teams. We’re also thrilled to have been newly ranked Tier 2 for Theatre.
In all, 39 of our lawyers have been ranked and recognised this year by clients for their exceptional work. We are thrilled that Christos Michaels, Martyn Bailey and Nick Swimer are now ranked as “Leading Partners”, and that so many of our lawyers have been praised by clients and peers for the first time. Congrats to Danielle Lobel-Weiss, Frania Cooper, Rebecca Coleman, Sam Goodman, Laura Gibson, Fi Tudur, Chloe Hutchings, Michael Maquieira, Amanda McDowall and Damian McParland.
Rankings aside, we are most delighted with the generous client feedback received and published by Legal 500, including:
‘The firm has remained a specialist in media and entertainment and that is very helpful. They also have a really deep knowledge of the sector which brings both technical expertise for deal making and also a very detailed sense of going rates and other issues which may be live at the relevant time. The lawyers are working in fields for which they have a genuine interest and enthusiasm.’
‘I think this team has a fairly unique understanding of the UK independent business. They are known rightly as the producers’ lawyers and have a terrific knowledge across the business.’
‘Nicki Parfitt, Luke Carey and Laura Gibson have been the dynamic trio who deserve shout outs. Nicki is an absolute powerhouse who knows how to take charge and always provides helpful advice with a pragmatic point of view. Luke is an operator who handles the toughest cast deals with ease and always provides comfort in his steadiness. Laura is always prepared and quickly circles back with multiple helpful paths forward on any given challenge.’
‘They are fantastic in the media sphere and we would be lost without them as a company. They manage to maintain brilliant relationships across the board while protecting you in all deals, and efficiently getting through financial closings. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Antony Swiatek, Fi Tudur and Chloe Hutchings are phenomenal. They are smart, innovative, kind, efficient, and always a joy to work with.’
‘Richard Lever is the eminent representative of independent producers in UK TV and is appropriately tough and ambitious for his clients but also very pragmatic. He has a fantastic set of contacts across the sector and great detailed knowledge of the business and the details of deals at the highest level.’
‘Marek George is a legal director but behaves like a partner, works at the highest level, always ready to roll his sleeves up and handles a huge workload with aplomb. Very efficient and firm when he needs to be.’
‘Lee and Thompson LLP are experts in their field and continue to invest in developing their talent pipeline.’
‘Top-tier service with exceptional knowledge and understanding of deal making in the film and TV sector.’
‘My experience with L&T is that it’s very much a team effort. Stephen Spence is a highly knowledgeable media lawyer and tough negotiator. He has the unique quality of having production experience to compliment his legal knowledge which makes him a highly effective media lawyer.’
‘Michael Maquieira is definitely an industry leader in the future.’
‘Damian McParland is someone clients will always enjoy working with. He has valuable experience in finance and is excellent at communicating it to clients.’
‘Lee & Thompson boast good market knowledge that is critical in the music industry, coupled with a team of expert lawyers and advisers.’
‘Lee & Thompson continues to retain a hugely impressive client roster, and to provide excellent advice and representation to clients working in the music industry.’
‘Will Everitt is a fantastic lawyer and adviser. Exceptional market knowledge across all areas of the music industry, providing insightful and commercially astute guidance. If there was a ‘hero’s trophy’ for music lawyers I would nominate Will.’
‘Mark Stafford has a fine grasp of the music business and the rights involved and can always be trusted or provide the right advice. Great with clients. The firm’s knowledge of the sector is up with the best.’
‘Martyn Bailey is a music specialist, he has acted on very high-profile cases in his field and is a go-to solicitor in this field.’
‘Lee & Thompson LLP strikes a great balance between professionalism and approachability. Their legal team is knowledgeable, responsive, and easy to work with, making even complex legal matters feel manageable.’
‘We work closely with Julian Ward and have consistently received thoughtful, tailored advice. The level of service has been excellent, and their friendly, down-to-earth manner makes them a pleasure to collaborate with.’
‘Julian Ward is highly experienced and brings a deep understanding of the legal landscape, particularly in the video games sector. Despite his seniority, he remains incredibly humble and approachable. He’s someone you can speak to openly, and he always takes the time to find the most practical, effective solutions for his clients.’
‘Excellently led by Julian Ward, who is a fantastic partner for us. A good, responsive team, well balanced between lawyers of different seniority and specialism when it comes to video games.’
‘What we particularly value about Lee & Thompson is there degree of specialisation in our area of business. They have been connected with us for many years and have always delivered quality advice from a position of strength.’
‘The addition of Rebecca Coleman is very compelling for in-house clients. Rebecca has walked in our shoes and this comes through loud and clear in her client stakeholder engagement and pragmatic legal advice.’
‘Nick Swimer is superb – his industry knowledge combined with legal acumen is invaluable.’
‘We work closely with Dominic Bray. He has in depth knowledge of the sector and helps train new recruits to the industry on our behalf. His always available to help and goes beyond the usual to accommodate us and our members.’
‘Very knowledgeable of the business practices and structures in our field, so they have also been able to advise us on best commercial terms and made introductions, besides just legal work.’
‘The media team has a very good grasp of the industry and is very proactive in helping assist on deals, large or small.’
‘Sam Goodman and Lee Stone are exceptional at communication and representing our interest.’
‘The main partner we deal with is Lee Stone, who is excellent and has a good command of both the industry and our particular business.’
‘Lee & Thompson has deep sector knowledge and experience which can be called upon when necessary, but it still manages to feel like a small and friendly firm. In addition, because the team deal with both clearance issues and disputes, they understand both pre- and post-publication reputation management issues.’
‘Mike Brookes is unflappable and as a result of his broad claimant and defendant experience, he has pretty much seen it all.’
‘Mike Brookes – I have never come across such a down to earth, legal professional who is always fully engaged in the task at hand. He always gives excellent advice and finds solutions to any production challenge.’
‘I am not surprised they are growing in size and stature in the market – a nimble, fast-growing player in the IP field.’
‘They are a preeminent team with a wealth of experience.’
‘Dominic Bray is the standout – a master tactician and great fun to work with.’
‘I work closely with Mark Stafford who is an exceptionally talented lawyer. He is pragmatic, super bright, approachable, highly knowledgeable, technically brilliant, an excellent tactician. He has a vast knowledge of the music business and its machinations. A pleasure to deal with.’
‘I have worked with Mark Stafford on music, film and entertainment cases. He has tremendous expertise in music, film and TV. As well as being a good lawyer on the law, he has a very detailed understanding of the commercial realities of these industries. Very good with demanding clients.’
‘Specialist media and media-related employment team, meaning that they really understand the sector and the particular pressures of litigation in the sector (including reputational issues). Knowledgeable and dedicated employment law team.’
‘Danielle Lobel-Weiss is professional, informed, committed and communicative.’
‘James Baker and Danielle Lobel-Weiss are experienced litigators, both very calm under pressure and excellent negotiators.’
‘James Baker very approachable always available very pragmatic in approach. Friendly and always willing to assist.’
‘James Baker. I have worked with him on a number of cases over many years. He is extremely personable, with a very good grasp on the law. He puts clients at ease, but is also tenacious. He sees angles and strategic advantages and moves that other lawyers do not.’
See the full rankings and feedback from our clients here.