Simons Muirhead Burton, Media & Entertainment

UK 2022

UK-wide Media & Entertainment

Band 3

3 Ranked Lawyers

About

Provided by Simons Muirhead Burton

Simons Muirhead Burton's lawyers provide up-to-date and practical advice, to individuals and companies, on a growing range and complexity of media agreements.

The music team advises artists, song-writers and producers on all aspects of their careers – from an artist’s first recording agreement to publishing arrangements and major endorsement agreements. They have extensive experience in advising industry executives on their executive package and are well known for their work on behalf of record labels, music publishers, agents, managers and international music companies on their commercial and corporate activities.

The film and television team deal with all aspects of production, finance, broadcasting and distribution, and also provide all related corporate advice. They have significant experience liaising with Ofcom in applying for licences for broadcast, ongoing regulatory governance, and advising clients on their regulatory obligations generally. They have acted for clients ranging from some of the UK's leading production companies to broadcasters, financiers, distributors and talent, as well as a number of major international corporations.

The publishing practice focuses on meeting clients’ commercial needs whether in litigation or for their contractual and commercial needs. They provide clear and accurate business-focused advice to publishers in all media, from online platforms to national newspapers and leading independent and major book publishing groups.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Media & Entertainment: Music - UK-wide

Band 3

What the team is known for

Classic media boutique firm with strong departments catering to the publishing, film and TV, and music industries. Provides commercial, corporate and dispute resolution services to a range of media clients, including talent, major and independent production companies, and a range of print, music and online publishers. Also advises major corporates and financial services institutions on their investments in media companies.

Strengths

Interviewees say: "They are commercially minded, genuinely care about their clients and protect their interests for the long term."

Sources say that the team is "extremely efficient in every aspect and always looks at the matter from every angle."

Respondents report: "The team at Simons Muirhead have a good knowledge of the film industry as well as the law, and they are very responsive and client-friendly."

Work highlights

Advised Cantilever Media on all financing matters for The Amazing Maurice, a film adaptation of late Terry Pratchett's book.

Notable practitioners

Martin Soames is a litigator and troubleshooter with an editor's eye who acts for venerable independent and online publishers. Alongside disputes, he is regularly called upon to give content clearance, pre-publication and data protection advice.
"Martin Soames gives direct advice that is spot-on." "He is very sensible, very astute and has a trusted client base."

Richard Baskind is recognised for his work acting on the sale and acquisition of music assets, at the commercial licensing and also catalogue deal and corporate level. He acts for a broad range of clients including artists, songwriters, publishers and management companies.
"Richard Baskind is great with strategy, explaining different scenarios and analysing each deal in the context of a client's needs. He is very good at protecting clients' commercial interests." "He is really technically astute and has a very good client list."

Simon Goldberg is best known for his work in film and TV, acting largely for production companies on commercial, rights and finance agreements of all kinds. He has additional expertise in publishing deals.
"Simon Goldberg is experienced, intelligent and very commercial. He also has very good personal skills and is attentive." "Incredibly responsive and very practical in his advice."

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