Ranking tables
Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious | UK
UK-wide
Rankings overview for Lawyers
Karim Bouzidi Level4 Years Ranked
Mark Stafford Lee & Thompson LLP9 Years Ranked
Martyn Bailey Lee & Thompson LLP14 Years Ranked
Phil Sherrell Bird & Bird14 Years Ranked
Steven Corney CMS14 Years Ranked
Tom Iverson Simkins LLP10 Years Ranked- Catherine FehlerHamlins LLP
- Martin OchsHamlins LLP
- Mike ShepherdCadence Solicitors LLP
All Lawyers profiles
Senior Statespeople
S Andrew ForbesContentious Music | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Senior Statespeople | 22 Years RankedAndrew Forbes is the founder of Contentious Music. He is a legend in music litigation and is relied upon by major music publishers and artists. He acts as a sole practitioner but also works as a consultant at Bray & Krais on some matters.
Band 1
1 Andrew Sharland
Clintons | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 1 | 29 Years RankedAndrew Sharland leads the firm's dispute resolution practice. He is a celebrated music litigator who acts largely for record and management companies in all manner of contract and licensing disputes.
1 Steven Tregear
Russells | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 1 | 26 Years RankedSteven Tregear heads Russells' litigation team. He has a legendary client list and comes highly recommended for IP, contract, partnership and public image disputes.
Band 2
2 Gordon Williams
Lee & Thompson LLP | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 2 | 26 Years RankedGordon Williams represents talent and industry clients in all manner of contract, copyright and brand litigation. He has extensive experience supporting clients in the USA with cross-border matters.
2 John ReidPhoenix Legal | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 2 | 22 Years RankedJohn Reid a consummate media lawyer, best known for his representation of artists, estates and celebrities in all manner of commercial and privacy disputes. He also advises on a wide range of non-contentious business matters, including employment advisory, immigration and reputation management matters.
2 Mike BrookesLee & Thompson LLP | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 2 | 26 Years RankedMike Brookes is a seasoned media litigator recommended for all manner of commercial and copyright infringement disputes. He also leads the firm's reputation protection team and acts on behalf of a number of high-profile music clients in defamation cases.
2 Paddy Gardiner
Simkins LLP | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 2 | 18 Years RankedPaddy Gardiner leads Simkins' dispute resolution team. He is a music litigator highly regarded for his work across a broad range of contentious matters, particularly copyright and breach of contract disputes.
2 Rachel Alexander
Wiggin LLP | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 2 | 4 Years RankedRachel Alexander co-leads the music department and is noted for her expertise in copyright claims, acting for clients including major labels and rights holders.
2 Simon GoodbodyBray & Krais | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 2 | 7 Years RankedSimon Goodbody leads the dispute resolution practice at Bray & Krais. He is a rising music litigator recommended for commercial and copyright disputes.
Band 3
3 Karim Bouzidi
Level | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 3 | 4 Years RankedKarim Bouzidi has experience acting for talent clients in contentious mandates. He is adept in dealing with disputes relating to intellectual property and contractual matters.3 Mark StaffordLee & Thompson LLP | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 3 | 9 Years RankedMark Stafford is best known as a music litigator and acts for artists, agents, record labels, management companies and publishers in contract disputes of all kinds. He is further recommended for copyright and trade mark litigation.3 Martyn BaileyLee & Thompson LLP | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 3 | 14 Years RankedMartyn Bailey has a flourishing media dispute resolution practice, with particular expertise in the music industry. He is experienced in a range of copyright issues as well as professional negligence and partnership disputes.
3 Phil Sherrell
Bird & Bird | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 3 | 14 Years RankedPhil Sherrell leads the international media, entertainment and sport group at Bird & Bird. He has significant expertise in music copyright disputes. He represents many blue-chip clients in the sector.3 Steven Corney
CMS | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 3 | 14 Years RankedSteven Corney is a media litigator with an impressive roster of music, broadcasting and digital media clients. He is highly recommended for copyright infringement, commercial, royalty and tortious disputes.3 Tom IversonSimkins LLP | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 3 | 10 Years RankedTom Iverson is acknowledged for his growing contentious media practice. He has experience advising on copyright infringement claims, band member disputes and breach of contract litigation, as well as reputation protection matters.- Mike ShepherdCadence Solicitors LLP | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Band 3
Associates to watch
Blake WilnerClintons | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Associates to watch | 3 Years RankedBlake Wilner's previous career as a professional musician provides him with invaluable knowledge of the workings of the music industry. He has a busy practice acting in a range of disputes for musicians, production companies and rights owners.
Georgina HartWiggin LLP | Media & Entertainment: Music: Contentious2026 | Associates to watch | 1 Years RankedGeorgina Hart is a litigator with extensive experience in music and broader media sector copyright and trade mark disputes.