Department profile
Russells

Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide


Russells

Rankings

About

Provided by Russells

Music

Music has been at the heart of Russells’ reputation as a leading entertainment law firm since our founding, 50 years ago. We are immensely proud of the fact that we have acted for many of our clients from the outset of their careers to becoming international multi-award-winning artists. No matter where they are in their career, we have a technically excellent legal team to service our clients' requirements. We also work with a range of individuals and businesses operating within the music industry. This includes record companies and publishing companies (both major and independent), production companies, managers, live agencies, promoters, venues, talent agencies, music executives and industry bodies. 

We work with:

  • Signed and unsigned artists (including minors)
  • Superstar and/or heritage artists
  • DJ’s
  • Session Musicians
  • Actors & actresses, film producers and directors
  • Radio, podcast and TV personalities and presenters
  • Celebrities and public figures
  • Sports personalities
  • Record labels (major and independent)
  • Music publishers (major and independent)
  • Promoters
  • Composers
  • Venues
  • Managers & management companies
  • Agents and agencies
  • Producers, mixers and remixers
  • Production companies (music film and theatre)
  • Music industry executives at every level
  • Fashion industry professionals (including agents and models)
  • Influencers
  • Gamers
  • Authors
  • Book publishers

This covers both contentious and non-contentious work within the industry.

Industries (9)

  • Music
  • Commercial
  • Litigation
  • Digital & Technology
  • Corporate
  • Employment
  • New Artist
  • Established Artist
  • Brand Protection

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious - UK-wide


What the Team is Known For
Russells is a premier music firm offering commercial advice and litigation services. It provides a comprehensive service to its roster of talent clients, with a number of iconic acts and breakthrough artists on the books. The firm also offers expertise with regard to live events. It supplements sector knowledge with the capacity to advise media clients on any tax, employment and property issues they may face.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Russells advised George Michael Entertainment and WHAM! on the 40th anniversary re-release of 'Careless Whisper' by George Michael and 'Last Christmas' by Wham.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • They have unsurpassed experience, know-how and client base in music litigation. They provide a high level of client service, including extensive experience working with overseas clients.

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
  • They are extremely knowledgeable on all aspects, and always very helpful and efficient. They are also very personable, so you can always pick up the phone and call them.

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
  • They are able to deal with extremely complex legal issues and explain them in simple terms. They are very proactive and always work within our tight time restraints.

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
  • They are very attentive to the client and really listen to them. They are instructed by the leading people in the industry and the proof is in the pudding.

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
  • Russells' commercial awareness is great, not only in respect of the matter at hand, but they also have their finger on the pulse of other issues that may be affecting us as an organisation.

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleChris Organ
    Senior StatespeopleChris Organ

    Chris Organ

    Chris Organ has worked with many world-conquering musicians and performers over the years and continues to advise key clients on all manner of commercial transactions.
  • Band 1Gavin Maude
    Band 1Gavin Maude

    Gavin Maude

    Gavin Maude leads the music department at Russells. He is relied upon for commercial legal advice by an impressive roster of British recording artists and leading industry executives.
    • When it comes to deal making and delivering the best for his clients there's no one better than Gavin.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
    • An extraordinary lawyer.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
  • Band 1Steven Tregear
    Band 1Steven Tregear

    Steven Tregear

    Steven Tregear heads Russells' litigation team. He has a legendary client list and comes highly recommended for IP, contract, partnership and public image disputes.
    • He's very commercial and works extremely hard for any client he looks after.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
    • Steven is fantastic. He provides great advice, and is reliable and trusted.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
    • He is one of the leading people in the music industry, a real heavyweight -and clients know that. He is very commercial.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
    • Steven Tregear is at the top of his game and there is nothing he doesn't know.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
  • Band 2Christopher Gossage
    Band 2Christopher Gossage

    Christopher Gossage

    Christopher Gossage is co-managing partner of Russells. He is known for his work advising talent and industry-side clients on the full range of commercial contracts, catalogue deals and also big-ticket corporate transactions.

    • Christopher is very level-headed, no matter how challenging the circumstances.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
    • It’s a pleasure to work with Chris on a daily basis.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
  • Band 2Simon Esplen
    Band 2Simon Esplen

    Simon Esplen

    Simon Esplen serves as executive chair of Russells. He represents recording artists, estates, touring companies, labels and media companies in all manner of commercial arrangements and song catalogue deals.

    • I can't recommend Simon highly enough.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
  • Band 3Jo Brittain
    Band 3Jo Brittain

    Jo Brittain

    Jo Brittain is co-managing partner of Russells. He advises music artists on record and publishing deals, as well as commercial contracts and international sponsorship agreements. His practice particularly focuses on representing emerging and breakthrough talent.

    • Jo is a very brilliant lawyer, who knows his stuff.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
  • Band 3Ryan Vince
    Band 3Ryan Vince

    Ryan Vince

    Ryan Vince advises many of the firm's leading artist and executive clients on commercial and corporate matters. These include catalogue sales, investment arrangements and M&A transactions.
    • I found him brilliant to work with on every level. He is completely unflappable.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK
  • Band 4Chloe Forsyth
    Band 4Chloe Forsyth

    Chloe Forsyth

    Chloe Forsyth advises clients on a range of agreements, including recording, publishing and producing. She is well thought of for her advice on the treatment of music rights across all conceivable media formats, from film and television to video games and advertising. She acts for talent, emerging media companies and major labels.
  • Band 4Liv Lyons
    Band 4Liv Lyons

    Liv Lyons

    Liv Lyons is sought after for her expertise in branding deals on behalf of high-profile music talent, and in media rights licensing more widely. She also acts for talent agencies and management companies.
  • Band 4Simon Jordan
    Band 4Simon Jordan

    Simon Jordan

    Simon Jordan has particular expertise in providing emerging artists the legal assistance they require, including publishing agreements and joint venture label deals.
    • Simon is smart, commercial and gets things done.

      Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Russells (10)

UK-wide

  • Profile image of Steven Tregear

    Steven Tregear

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious

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  • Profile image of Chris Organ

    Chris Organ

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

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  • Profile image of Gavin Maude

    Gavin Maude

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

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  • Profile image of Christopher Gossage

    Christopher Gossage

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

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  • Profile image of Simon Esplen

    Simon Esplen

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

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  • Profile image of Jo Brittain

    Jo Brittain

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

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  • Profile image of Ryan Vince

    Ryan Vince

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

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  • Profile image of Chloe Forsyth

    Chloe Forsyth

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

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  • Profile image of Liv Lyons

    Liv Lyons

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

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  • Profile image of Simon Jordan

    Simon Jordan

    Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

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Members

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