Defamation/Reputation Management
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 20 7597 6364About
Provided by Withers LLP
Withers has a long-established media, reputation and privacy practice, with specialist lawyers worldwide serving clients with international interests and reputations to protect. Our team are respected leaders in the field and are known for providing robust, pragmatic and holistic advice to a range of clients, including charities, businesses, executives, high net worth individuals and those in the public eye.
Working seamlessly with other leading teams at Withers, we are uniquely placed to provide well-rounded media, privacy and reputational advice to all our clients. The firm's global footprint provides the opportunity to respond to worldwide publication, 24-7, and in the appropriate jurisdictions to achieve the most effective results for our clients.
Finally, discretion is key to our approach. Our history of high profile successes and keeping our clients' names out of the public eye reflects our ability to deal with matters swiftly and sensitively.
Chambers Review
Withers has a strong libel and privacy offering, advising a range of clients on media law issues, sensitive reputational matters and crisis management. The firm acts for charities, high net worth individuals and corporate clients on domestic and international disputes. It offers an established focus on claimant work and increasingly advises defendant individuals in relation to the publishing of online content.
Work Highlights
- Withers acted for Dr David Starkey MBE following the incorrect article published by the Telegraph, incorrectly using Dr Starkey's name as opposed to the intended focus of the article, Dr David Irving.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team at Withers is adept at handling complex issues and cases. Their deep legal knowledge is complemented by an understanding of the communications and political landscapes and how they interact."
"Withers always brings the right blend of skills and experience to bear in their teams. They are highly responsive and understanding of client needs, yet leave no stone left unturned in their approach."
"They were professional, responsive and extremely effective in a matter with a challenging client, complex factual matrix, difficult evidential hurdles and conflict of laws challenges."
"Their high level of expertise means they are a safe pair of hands. They are staffed by seasoned professionals with a strong team ethos who are enthusiastic, cooperative and highly efficient."
"The Withers team provides balanced, well-considered advice very quickly, and in my experience has shown their huge breadth of knowledge on both UK and international privacy and reputation matters."
"The team at Withers is adept at handling complex issues and cases. Their deep legal knowledge is complemented by an understanding of the communications and political landscapes and how they interact."
"Withers always brings the right blend of skills and experience to bear in their teams. They are highly responsive and understanding of client needs, yet leave no stone left unturned in their approach."
"They were professional, responsive and extremely effective in a matter with a challenging client, complex factual matrix, difficult evidential hurdles and conflict of laws challenges."
"Their high level of expertise means they are a safe pair of hands. They are staffed by seasoned professionals with a strong team ethos who are enthusiastic, cooperative and highly efficient."
"The Withers team provides balanced, well-considered advice very quickly, and in my experience has shown their huge breadth of knowledge on both UK and international privacy and reputation matters."
Notable Practitioners
Jo Sanders is head of Withers' London media and reputation team. She is widely recognised for her considerable expertise in handling a range of defamation and privacy issues.
"Jo has extensive knowledge of the media and reputation space and always provides very nuanced and considered assessments on difficult matters surrounding privacy and defamation."
"Jo is an outstanding practitioner who is well liked by our clients and is trusted to provide sound advice, backed by results."
"She is a fantastic partner to work with. She is authoritative and expert. I have recommended her to others."
Andy Fremlin-Key is recognised for his work across the range of defamation, privacy and reputation management, with noted specialisms in tax investigations followed by the media and his work for clients in the world of sport.
"Andrew is exceptional. He is smart, thoughtful, diplomatic where required to align internal stakeholders, responsive and great at drafting. He is everything you would want in someone representing you."
"One of the best aspects of working with Andrew is his collaborative approach. He makes sure all bases are covered so we are aware of different routes that can be taken to achieve the desired result."
"Andrew was on top of every part of a complicated and fast-moving matter. He was responsive at all times and showed a clear understanding of the client's wider reputational and commercial interests."
"He has excellent client management and a shrewd understanding of the impact of communications."
"Andrew is one of the best in the business not only because of his attention to detail and eye for the crux issues, but also for his great care to appreciate a situation from the client's perspective."
Caroline Thompson is recommended for her work on behalf of individuals and corporate clients with respect to reputation management and the misuse of confidential information.
"Caroline is a highly sophisticated operator."
"Caroline is very impressive."
"Caroline has a great depth of knowledge and experience on media and reputation matters and always responds very quickly to queries from our clients."
Ranked Lawyers at
Withers LLP
UK-wide