21st March 2024

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Nick Swimer to the Partnership. Nick will join the firm on 15 April from Reed Smith, where he was a Partner in the Entertainment & Media Industry Group.

An experienced media lawyer, Nick’s practice spans the creative industries, with a particular focus on the Advertising & Marketing and Film & Television sectors. Directly complementing and enhancing Lee & Thompson’s existing practice, Nick brings 20+ years’ expertise in broadcast regulation, content distribution, TV production, and advertising.

Before joining Reed Smith, Nick spent many years as the Head of Legal for Governance, Regulatory and Trading and Corporation Secretary at Channel 4, In 2016, Nick helped set up and then run, as its Commercial Director, Sacha Baron Cohen’s UK TV production company, Spelthorne Community Television where he worked on both scripted and entertainment programmes for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, Comedy Central, Showtime and on Borat Subsequent Moviefilm for Amazon. Nick did this whilst maintaining a consultancy legal practice at Reed Smith and then returned to partnership full time in 2021.

Nick’s arrival will be the second significant lateral hire since the firm announced its proactive strategy for growth. Corporate/Tech Partner, Andy Moseby joined from Deloitte Legal in February 2024.

Nick Swimer said of his appointment:

“Lee & Thompson is a firm that I’ve known and admired for a long time and it’s so exciting to be joining a tier one practice with so much personality, that’s wholly focused on the media industry. My expertise and interest lie at the intersection of creativity, commerciality and technological advances – and this is exactly what Lee & Thompson is passionate about. It’s the perfect place for me, particularly at a time when our sector is looking for us to be highly commercial and nimble in the way legal services are delivered. I can’t wait to start working with this team.”

Reno Antoniades, Managing Partner at Lee & Thompson said:

“We are absolutely thrilled that Nick is joining us. He is such a natural fit for Lee & Thompson and we’re all excited to see him flourish here. It’s a fantastic time to be joining the firm as we continue along our planned growth trajectory. We have big plans and I am sure that Nick is going to be a brilliant part of our future.”