Media & Entertainment: Music
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 1
Chambers Review
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.
Work Highlights
- Clintons acted for Declan Colgan Music in relation to a dispute with Def Jam Recordings, arising out of a licence to use a sample of a recording by King Crimson in Kanye West's song 'Power'.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Clintons stand out due to their mix of excellence and people skills."
"Clintons provide thoroughly realistic and informed advice that is absolutely clear and concise on the most complex clauses."
"The team at Clintons are dynamic, constructive and friendly. They have found effective ways to support our company in ways that have made a big difference to the way we work."
"Clintons stand out due to their mix of excellence and people skills."
"Clintons provide thoroughly realistic and informed advice that is absolutely clear and concise on the most complex clauses."
"The team at Clintons are dynamic, constructive and friendly. They have found effective ways to support our company in ways that have made a big difference to the way we work."
Notable Practitioners
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.
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.
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.
"I have worked with Andrew for a long time and I always welcome his advice and support."
"Andrew is an excellent person to work with."
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 an exceptional litigator."
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.
Berkeley Edwards represents an impressive roster of emerging and established artists, songwriters, producers and managers. He has experience helping clients with documentary agreements.
"Berkeley is a key player within the team of our artist."
"Berkeley is a very good lawyer and good with clients."
"Berkeley is an incredibly well-regarded lawyer."
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.
Karim Bouzidi has experience acting for talent clients in contentious mandates. He is adept in dealing with disputes relating to intellectual property and contractual matters.
"Karim is a very good litigator with a nice manner. I rate him highly."
Victoria Wood has an impressive talent-side music practice which sees her regularly advising recording artists, DJs, songwriters and independent record labels.
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.
Stephen Pidcock handles a variety of matters in the world of theatre, including development, production and licence agreements.
"Stephen is friendly, responsive, helpful, pragmatic and constructive. He is consistent in helping us address a wide variety of ongoing issues as we grow and evolve as a company."
"Stephen has been and continues to be a lifeline for us as a business and as individuals, representing us both with tenacity and with a level of care and a personal touch second to none."