Ranking tables

Media & Entertainment: Theatre & Live Events | UK

UK-wide

This section caters to clients in the media industry in respect of contentious and non-contentious matters. We rank firms by specialist expertise in tables for Film & Television; Advertising & Marketing; Music & Talent; Theatre & Live Events; Publishing; and Games, Interactive Entertainment and Social Media. Individuals are ranked relative to one another by specialism.   Non-contentious work as covered by this section may include production, financing and distribution arrangements, as well as IP, licensing and supplementary rights planning.   Types of disputes in this area are many and may include copyright and contractual litigation (e.g. on behalf of studios, producers, publishing houses or talent), matters arising from film finance, comparative advertising and ASA disputes.   A note on Games, Interactive Entertainment and Social Media: On the games side, work in this area can be commercial and contentious matters concerning videogame platforms and titles. Social media and interactive entertainment work of particular interest to this section is commercial, corporate and IP, and regulatory (e.g. advice on the UK Online Safety Act). Please note that traditional music licensor - licensee music copyright transactions involving social media platforms usually counts towards the Music & Talent category, unless issues concerning end-user modification of copyrighted content are central to the transaction. Likewise, talent work concerning influencers and vloggers is covered in the expanded Music & Talent category. Please note that defamation actions are not considered in our publishing rankings; please submit such matters to the Defamation/Reputation Management section. The Publishing rankings do however consider matters concerning pre-publication clearance, reporting restrictions and press regulation.   Related sections: Defamation/Reputation Management

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Clintons
    1
    Clintons
    Media & Entertainment: Theatre & Live Events
    2026 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    Clintons is a powerful presence in the media law market, with considerable capabilities in transactional matters and high-profile industry disputes. The team advises theatre producers on UK and overseas production, and also acts for playwrights, composers, lyricists and agents. The firm's highly regarded music lawyers act for numerous established artists and fledgling talent, record producers and managers.
  2. Harbottle & Lewis LLP
    1
    Harbottle & Lewis LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Theatre & Live Events
    2026 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked

    Harbottle & Lewis provides outstanding strength in media and entertainment, with impressive expertise within the video games, film, TV, music and theatre sectors. The firm is widely regarded as a destination firm for publishing clients, offering expertise in commercial and IP matters. The team is experienced in representing major multinational studios and production companies from the gaming and film spaces throughout development. The firm also demonstrates additional strength in growth areas such as virtual and augmented reality, e-sports and online platforms.

  3. Sheridans
    1
    Sheridans
    Media & Entertainment: Theatre & Live Events
    2026 | Band 1 | 16 Years Ranked
    Sheridans is a celebrated full-service media firm with an impressive litigation offering. The firm's music lawyers act for talent, producers and managers, while its strong film and TV department advises independent producers and digital media platforms. Sheridans is also well known for its innovative gaming practice, which attracts established and startup video games developers. The firm offers considerable expertise in advising producers and artists in the theatre world.
2

Band 2

  1. Bates Wells
    2
    Bates Wells
    Media & Entertainment: Theatre & Live Events
    2026 | Band 2 | 13 Years Ranked

    Bates Wells has a renowned advertising regulatory practice, acting for the ASA and other UK regulatory bodies. It also provides commercial advice and litigation services to charities, cultural organisations and global brand owners. The firm provides extensive knowledge of prize draws and promotions, database issues and direct marketing. It also handles a leading theatre and live events practice.

  2. Lee & Thompson LLP
    2
    Lee & Thompson LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Theatre & Live Events
    2026 | Band 2 | 1 Years Ranked

    Lee & Thompson is an eminent media and entertainment boutique firm with market-leading film, TV and music, theatre and live events practices. The firm acts for independent film and TV production companies, distributors and financiers. Its music department advises global artists and breakthrough talent, songwriters and producers on a host of commercial and contentious matters. The firm maintains a specialist group of media and entertainment litigators. It is noted for strength in matters related to digital content across all areas of media and entertainment. The team acts for well-known brands and leading agencies on commercial, contentious and regulatory advertising and marketing matters. The firm additionally houses noted experts on the video games industry.