18th September 2017

We are delighted to announce that Sarah Barker, founder of boutique creative industries practice Montgomery Barker, will be join the partnership with effect from 1st November 2017.  Lee & Thompson will acquire the Montgomery Barker practice, and Sarah will become Head of the firm’s Art and Fashion Groups.

Sarah has been advising both private and corporate clients in the arts sector for over a decade. Following a career as a corporate lawyer at Herbert Smith, Sarah studied at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art and then founded Montgomery Barker.  Sarah acts for various HNWIs and UHNWIs – including artists, collectors and retail entrepreneurs; and a range of corporates from SMEs to PLCs – including art dealerships, auction houses, fashion and beauty businesses, tech companies, advertisers and events businesses.

As Managing Partner of Montgomery Barker, Sarah has grown the firm year on year and developed it into a recognised adviser to the art and fashion sectors.  Joining the Montgomery Barker practice with Lee & Thompson will enable Sarah to offer an even wider range of services to her clients, as well as providing access to a larger team of lawyers who are adept at working in similar, complementary industries.

The move will further strengthen Lee & Thompson’s existing offering and is another important hire in our plans to create a full-service practice dedicated to the media, technology and creative industries.  This is an ambition that is already on track as highlighted by our recent appointments of digital and technology Partner Julian Ward from Hamlins, advertising & marketing Partner, Huw Morris from Reed Smith, together with last year’s merger with specialist media litigation firm Forbes Anderson Free and the appointment of Head of Employment, David Andrews from Wilmer Hale.

Managing Partner, Reno Antoniades, commented:

“We are thrilled that Sarah is joining the Lee & Thompson team.  Her practice perfectly complements ours and her skills and client base will contribute significantly to our drive to offer the full package of legal services to clients across the creative industries.  Sarah’s reputation and experience, particularly in art and fashion, add a new depth to our offering in these areas and we look forward to her contribution to the partnership and to the firm as a whole.”

Sarah Barker said:

“I am very excited to join forces with Lee & Thompson.  I am confident that the combination of such complementary practices will generate exponential growth, and that it is the right next step for my practice. Lee & Thompson is a natural fit in terms of approach and culture, and it will be a great new home for my clients and for me.  I very much look forward to becoming a part of the Lee & Thompson team, and to building the UK’s leading advisory practice for the art and fashion sectors.”