Department profile

Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

Clintons

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious - UK-wide

What the Team is Known For

Clintons is a powerful presence in the media law market, with considerable capabilities in transactional matters and high-profile industry disputes. The team advises theatre producers on UK and overseas production, and also acts for playwrights, composers, lyricists and agents. The firm's highly regarded music lawyers act for numerous established artists and fledgling talent, record producers and managers.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Clintons advised The 1975 on a dispute with the organiser of a music festival in Malaysia that was cancelled, allegedly as a result of the actions of the members of the band.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

They consistently go above and beyond, offering clear, supportive advice and truly taking the time to listen. I deeply appreciate their patience and willingness to guide me without judgement.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
They have excellent working knowledge of the industry and good realism and practical sense when it comes to the budget.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
Rigorous and robust are words that spring to mind, with a feeling of security knowing the team at Clintons are behind you. Every specialist we have dealt with has excelled.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
Clintons provide sensible commercial solutions to complex issues.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
Their knowledge of the TV industry is exceptional and their ability to apply that to our specific situations is impressive.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Senior Statespeople
Senior Statespeople
Peter Button
Peter Button is a consummate music industry lawyer, and advises legendary artists as well as publishers and record labels. His advice extends to all conceivable commercial and contractual arrangements.
Peter Button is very impressive, he's at the top of the game.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
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Eminent Practitioners
Eminent Practitioners
John Cohen
John Cohen is one of the most venerable professionals in theatreland, with decades of experience bringing well-loved hit musicals and plays to the London stage. His clients include Sir Tim Rice and the estate of Lionel Bart.
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Band 1
Band 1
Andrew Myers
Andrew Myers acts for world-conquering artists, ranging from much-loved legacy acts to recent breakthrough stars. He advises on all commercial and corporate issues they may face, including negotiating recording agreements and reviewing management responsibilities.
Andrew never fails to surprise me. He is an amazing person to have on your side.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
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Band 1
Band 1
Andrew Sharland
Andrew Sharland leads the firm's dispute resolution practice. He is a celebrated music litigator who acts largely for record and management companies in all manner of contract and licensing disputes.
Andrew is the most outstanding legal brain I have worked with. He is professional and has unparalleled integrity. He combines it with an emotional intelligence and sophistication that is exceptional.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
An industry expert and go-to lawyer for copyright disputes.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
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Band 1
Band 1
James Jones
James Jones is known above all for his career brokering deals on behalf of theatre producers to bring award-winning shows to theatre audiences. His clients include the producers who brought The Bodyguard, Annie and Benidorm to the UK.
He is simply the best.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
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Band 2
Band 2
Berkeley Edwards
Berkeley Edwards represents an impressive roster of emerging and established artists, songwriters, producers and managers. He has experience helping clients with documentary agreements.
He is experienced and good at navigating complex matters. I really respect him and think he adds a lot of value to what we do.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
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Band 2
Band 2
Nicky Stein
Nicky Stein is relied on by many of the world's most popular music artists, as well as leading producers and songwriters, to broker and renegotiate their contractual arrangements with major labels and music publishers.
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Up and Coming
Up and Coming
Victoria Wood
Victoria Wood has an impressive talent-side music practice which sees her regularly advising recording artists, DJs, songwriters and independent record labels.
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Star Associates
Star Associates
Stephen Pidcock
Stephen Pidcock handles a variety of matters in the world of theatre, including development, production and licence agreements.
Stephen is clear, positive, patient and understanding of my position in the theatre market. I value our relationship highly and I simply could not operate safely and fairly without him.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
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Associates to watch
Associates to watch
Blake Wilner
Blake Wilner's previous career as a professional musician provides him with invaluable knowledge of the workings of the music industry. He has a busy practice acting in a range of disputes for musicians, production companies and rights owners.
Blake is very friendly, efficient and explains legal details in good depth to a layman.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
Blake Wilner is a really smart cookie who knows how to run a case.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
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