Ranking tables

Media & Entertainment: Music | UK

UK-wide

The 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, 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 (eg on behalf of studios, producers, publishing houses or talent), matters arising from film finance, comparative advertising and ASA disputes.   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. Bray & Krais
    1
    Bray & Krais
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years Ranked
    Bray & Krais is an acclaimed boutique music practice, acting for a widely recognised list of artist clients, record labels, producers and managers. The lawyers are experts in handling joint venture record company negotiations, as well as recording, publishing, management and merchandising agreements. They also handle copyright infringement litigation and enjoy a high profile in the live events market.
  2. Clintons
    1
    Clintons
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 1 | 17 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.
  3. Lee & Thompson LLP
    1
    Lee & Thompson LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years Ranked
    Lee & Thompson is an eminent media and entertainment boutique firm with market-leading film, TV and music 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.
  4. Russells
    1
    Russells
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years Ranked
    Russells is a premier music firm offering commercial advice and litigation services. It provides a comprehensive service to its roster of talent clients, with a number of iconic acts and breakthrough artists on the books. The firm also offers expertise with regard to live events. It supplements sector knowledge with the capacity to advise media clients on any tax, employment and property issues they may face.
2

Band 2

  1. Simkins LLP
    2
    Simkins LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 2 | 16 Years Ranked
    Simkins is a renowned media boutique firm providing transactional advice, dispute resolution, pre-publication and regulatory compliance services to clients across the creative industries. It has noted expertise in live events, film and TV, music, publishing and theatre. The firm has the resources to assist media clients with corporate, tax and IP matters.
  2. Sound Advice (Legal) LLP
    2
    Sound Advice (Legal) LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years Ranked
    Sound Advice is a compact practice focused exclusively on the music industry. It acts for a range of big-name talent clients and emerging artists, assisting with record and publishing deals. The firm is also recommended for copyright and contractual disputes. The team acts for a number of prominent social media influencers.
  3. Statham Gill Davies
    2
    Statham Gill Davies
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 2 | 13 Years Ranked
    Statham Gill Davies is a stalwart of the music industry, best known for its representation of talent clients. The firm provides commercial advice and dispute resolution services to artists, producers, writers and management companies.
  4. Wiggin LLP
    2
    Wiggin LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years Ranked
    Wiggin has a dynamic media group practising at the forefront of the film and TV sector. It acts for independent producers, major studios and banks, with renowned strength in media finance and production. The firm also features a strong publishing offering, advising online and print media businesses on commercial matters and litigation. The team has a strong grasp of emerging technologies and advice with regard to interactive media, gaming and e-sports. The firm is home to a renowned music practice.
  5. Sheridans
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 2
  6. SSB Solicitors
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. Harbottle & Lewis LLP
    3
    Harbottle & Lewis LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 3 | 8 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.
  2. Level
    3
    Level
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked
    Level is a firm dedicated to media, entertainment and sport and all manner of commercial and contentious situations that can arise for sector clients, be they individual artists or corporates. The firm's music practice is particularly impressive.
  3. Reed Smith LLP
    3
    Reed Smith LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 3 | 10 Years Ranked
    Reed Smith has a superb digital media practice with additional strength in the fields of TV and film production, broadcasting and media finance. It acts for a roster of prestigious and startup digital content entities and music streaming services, and is able to draw on expertise from its international network. The firm works at the cutting edge of interactive entertainment and developments in social media.
  4. Simons Muirhead Burton
    3
    Simons Muirhead Burton
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 3 | 11 Years Ranked
    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.
  5. Cadence Solicitors LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 3
  6. Hamlins LLP
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 3
  7. Swan Turton
    Media & Entertainment: Music
    2025 | Band 3