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.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Media & Entertainment: Music - UK-wide

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Band 1

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

  • 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

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Chris Organ
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Chris Organ
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Senior Statespeople
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.
Gavin Maude
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Gavin Maude
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Band 1
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.

An extraordinary lawyer.

Steven Tregear
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Steven Tregear
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Band 1
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.

Steven is fantastic. He provides great advice, and is reliable and trusted.

He is one of the leading people in the music industry, a real heavyweight -and clients know that. He is very commercial.

Steven Tregear is at the top of his game and there is nothing he doesn't know.

Christopher Gossage
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Christopher Gossage
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Band 2

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.

It’s a pleasure to work with Chris on a daily basis.

Simon Esplen
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Simon Esplen
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Band 2

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.

Jo Brittain
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Jo Brittain
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Band 3

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.

Ryan Vince
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Ryan Vince
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Band 3
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.

Chloe Forsyth
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Chloe Forsyth
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Band 4
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.
Liv Lyons
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Liv Lyons
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Band 4
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.
Simon Jordan
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Simon Jordan
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Band 4
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.

Ranked Lawyers at
Russells

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK-wide

Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious

Steven Tregear
1
Steven Tregear
1
Band 1
Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

Chris Organ
S
Chris Organ
S
Senior Statespeople
Gavin Maude
1
Gavin Maude
1
Band 1
Christopher Gossage
2
Christopher Gossage
2
Band 2
Simon Esplen
2
Simon Esplen
2
Band 2
Jo Brittain
3
Jo Brittain
3
Band 3
Ryan Vince
3
Ryan Vince
3
Band 3
Chloe Forsyth
4
Chloe Forsyth
4
Band 4
Liv Lyons
4
Liv Lyons
4
Band 4
Simon Jordan
4
Simon Jordan
4
Band 4

Industries

Provided by Russells

Brand Protection

Commercial

Corporate

Digital & Technology

Employment

Established Artist

Litigation

Music

New Artist