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: Publishing - UK-wide

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Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Simons Muirhead Burton is a classic media boutique firm with strong departments catering to the publishing, film and TV, and music industries. It 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. The firm also advises major corporates and financial services institutions on their investments in media companies.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Martin Soames
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Martin Soames
1
Band 1
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.

Most of my dealings have been with Martin and I cannot find any fault with his advice or professionalism.

Martin is wonderful, I can't say enough good things about him. He is an expert, always calm and technically excellent.

Richard Baskind
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Richard Baskind
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Band 3
Richard Baskind leads the music team at Simons Muirhead Burton. He is recognised for his work acting on the sale and acquisition of music assets, at the commercial licensing and also catalogue deal and corporate levels. He acts for a broad range of clients including artists, songwriters, publishers and management companies.
Simon Goldberg
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Simon Goldberg
3
Band 3
Simon Goldberg is joint head of Simon Muirhead Burton's media and corporate, commercial and finance teams. He 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.

He is very personable, professional, and provides clear guidance with an eye on both legal and commercial picture. He has a can-do approach.

Simon offers excellent service and can manage commercial interactions which might be beyond the grasp of other lawyers.

Razwana Akram
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Razwana Akram
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Band 4
Razwana Akram is co-head of the film and television practice group at Simons Muirhead Burton. She assists with the production and financing of projects for clients in film and television as well as for SVOD platforms.

Razwana is a very committed, hard-working and thoughtful lawyer. She is very ready to respond to our needs.

Ranked Lawyers at
Simons Muirhead Burton

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK-wide

Media & Entertainment: Film & Television

Simon Goldberg
3
Simon Goldberg
3
Band 3
Razwana Akram
4
Razwana Akram
4
Band 4
Media & Entertainment: Music: Non-contentious

Richard Baskind
3
Richard Baskind
3
Band 3
Media & Entertainment: Publishing

Martin Soames
1
Martin Soames
1
Band 1

Members

Provided by Simons Muirhead Burton

Alasdair George

Anthony Orum

Blaise Gaymer

James Greenslade

Jonny Petch

Marc Sobol

Martin Soames

Martin Soames

Head of Department

Peter Weiss

Razwana Akram

Richard Baskind

Richard Baskind

Head of Department

Simon Goldberg

Simon Goldberg

Head of Department

Stephen Shotnes

Zack Gold