
Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious
UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
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
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: Non-contentious respondentUKThey 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: Non-contentious respondentUKThey 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: Non-contentious respondentUKThey 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: Non-contentious respondentUKRussells' 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: Non-contentious respondentUK
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Senior Statespeople 
Senior Statespeople 
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 1 
Band 1 
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: Non-contentious respondentUKAn extraordinary lawyer.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious respondentUK
Band 1 
Band 1 
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: Non-contentious respondentUKSteven is fantastic. He provides great advice, and is reliable and trusted.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious respondentUKHe is one of the leading people in the music industry, a real heavyweight -and clients know that. He is very commercial.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious respondentUKSteven Tregear is at the top of his game and there is nothing he doesn't know.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious respondentUK
Band 2 
Band 2 
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: Non-contentious respondentUKIt’s a pleasure to work with Chris on a daily basis.
Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious respondentUK
Band 2 
Band 2 
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: Non-contentious respondentUK
Band 3 
Band 3 
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: Non-contentious respondentUK
Band 3 
Band 3 
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: Non-contentious respondentUK
Band 4 
Band 4 
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 4 
Band 4 
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 4 
Band 4 
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: Non-contentious respondentUK
Ranked Individuals at Russells (10)
Members
Provided by Russells

Gavin Maude
View profile of Gavin Maude
Liv Lyons
View profile of Liv Lyons
Simon Esplen
View profile of Simon Esplen
Chloe Forsyth
View profile of Chloe Forsyth
Jo Brittain
View profile of Jo Brittain
Simon Jordan
View profile of Simon Jordan
Chris Organ
View profile of Chris Organ
Steven Tregear
View profile of Steven Tregear
Christopher Gossage
View profile of Christopher Gossage
Ryan Vince
View profile of Ryan Vince
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