The ‘highly experienced, fast and reliable’ team at Baker McKenzie LLP has a strong presence in the digital content and social media spaces, assisting major social media platforms, gaming clients, content companies and other global corporate entities with an array of contentious and non-contentious matters. Generative AI and online safety issues are key areas of expertise for the team, which is also proficient in compliance mandates concerning the Digital Services Act (DSA). Practice head and chief innovation officer Ben Allgrove focuses on advising digital media and intermediary platform clients on a host of matters, including regulatory issues, digital commerce as well as digital and consumer disputes. John Groom concentrates on copyright matters, online regulations and new technologies - such as AI and interactive content. Josh Boyden assists with matters relating to new technology regulation.

The media practice at CMS acts for major streaming clients and leading sporting organisations in a wide range of contentious and non-contentious issues. The team as a whole works across multiple media segments, combining its digital content and social expertise with substantial experience in the audiovisual, gaming and sports sectors. The firm has strong international ties, allowing it to advise clients on cross-border mandates, including M&A. John Cloake is especially active in transactional matters involving commercial rights in the sports sector. Co-head Victoria Gaskell, a key contact for production companies, platforms and channels, focuses on content and digital media mandates. Fellow co-leader Paul Guite handles international and UK-based transactions for media and technology clients. Sam Oustayiannis, who was promoted to partner in May 2024, advises on content distribution issues and on the launch of new media technology products and platforms. Selina Potter leads on broadcasting and technology matters, while John Enser is a strong performer in mandates involving the distribution of audio and audiovisual content via digital platforms.

 

Reed Smith LLP is a popular choice for social media, video gaming and technology companies requiring a mix of regulatory, transactional and corporate advice. Typical mandates for the team include assisting with online safety regulations, copyright issues, generative AI and commercial agreements. Standing out for its international presence, the firm is often seen handling cross-border matters. The wider entertainment and media group is led by Elle Todd in the UK and Steve Sessa in the US, while the London-based social media practice is overseen by digital experts Gregor Pryor and Sophie Goossens. Pryor regularly advises on digital content arrangements and other technology-related issues, and Goosens is best-known for her expertise in AI, blockchain, data mining and video gaming-related issues. Michael Skrein focuses on international matters involving technology products, while Nick Breen advises on cross-border licensing issues, transactions and sponsorship deals.

At the forefront of the digital content and social media markets, RPC provides assistance to leading social media platforms and products, video game publishers, digital marketplaces and content companies with the full range of legal matters. On the litigation front, the group focuses on advising defendants, including major media organisations. The team also boasts expertise in online safety issues and blockchain. Oliver Bray and Rupert Cowper-Coles jointly lead the group. Focused on the digital space, Bray assists social media platforms and brands with regulatory investigations, digital and commercial contracts, data protection and IP issues. Cowper-Coles is a leading data protection litigator and is well versed in representing technology and social media companies in complex disputes. IP expert David Cran handles class actions involving competition, consumer and data issues, while Ciara Cullen is active in both contentious and non-contentious media matters. Interactive entertainment and esports specialist Josh Charalambous is key to digital matters involving sports, esports, publishers and brands. Hettie Homewood focuses on digital and content matters, most notably regulatory and contractual work.

Alex Dixie heads up the social media practice at Bird & Bird LLP, which provides legal support to a wide range of technology, social media and video gaming companies. More recently, the team has been particularly active in mandates involving the metaverse, web3 and NFTs, and has advised several rights holders, licensees and tech providers on their digital projects. The practice head handles a mix of commercial disputes and regulatory work for social media platforms, digital publishers and broadcasters.

Bristows LLP‘s media and entertainment practice advises technology and social media companies on commercial IP matters as well as brand management and enforcement. The team has been notably active in copyright litigation, where it acts for interactive entertainment and video games companies, but also showcases strong credentials in data protection and AI issues. Copyright, trade mark and design specialist Simon Clark focuses on the contentious side of IP, and regularly advises on matters in the digital and video gaming spaces. Data protection expert Mark Watts is proficient in new technologies, covering cloud computing, AI and facial recognition.

Fieldfisher‘s digital and social media practice assists with media and entertainment matters across a range of industries, spanning film, television, streaming, broadcasting and gaming. Interactive content, sponsorship deals, publishing issues, rights licensing and IP are all key areas of activity for the practice. John Brunning focuses on contractual and regulatory issues in the social media and gaming sectors, assisting with innovative technologies, data and online safety issues. Hazel Grant, who advises on data compliance projects and security breaches, co-leads the practice with Simon Briskman. Renzo Marchini assists multinational social media companies with big data and tech-related matters, and Leonie Power advises on AI and data protection issues.

The media group at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is led by Hayley Brady, who assists media companies with content licensing, joint ventures and advertising mandates, and is a key contact for emerging digital companies seeking advice on partnerships. The team handles a mix of corporate-focused matters, most notably cross-border transactions, sponsorship and partnership agreements, as well as issues concerning the distribution and monetisation of content. James Balfour is well versed in regulatory matters and product launches.

Sports law boutique Onside Law LLP has a growing digital media practice which combines its expertise in the sports industry with knowledge of the digital, social media and emerging technology spheres. The team assists sports governing bodies, talent agencies, social influencer agencies, and production and content companies on the production, distribution and exploitation of digital and social content. Practice head James Tobias handles a variety of matters involving the acquisition, production, licensing and exploitation of audiovisual content. Co-head Adam Leadercramer, a key contact for sports-related digital media companies and sports rights holders, focuses on the digital space.

Simkins LLP advises clients from the music, television, film and theatre industries on a host of digital-related matters. The team is singled out for its expertise in copyright issues, data protection and regulatory matters, such as disclosures of social advertising, but also showcases strength in marketing-related AI issues and social media campaigns. With a wealth of experience in commercial contracts and IP, practice head Ed Baden-Powell often assists media clients - such as rights owners and entertainers - with brand protection, social media campaigns and digital agreements. Commercial expert Nick Eziefula, a name to note for influencers and web3 consultancy firms, focuses on advertising and marketing mandates. Andrew Wilson-Bushell is also adept in web3 and AI issues, while Stephen Cartwright specialises in commercial contracts.

Taylor Wessing LLP offers corporate, commercial and IP advice to its media an entertainment clientele, including traditional heavyweights, newer digital media clients and streaming platforms. The team’s wide-ranging expertise makes it well placed to advise on a myriad of issues, from consumer law to copyright and data protection. Adam Rendle jointly leads the team with Xuyang Zhu; Rendle focuses on copyright, advertising, publishing and platform liability work, while the Zhu handles a mix of contentious and non-contentious issues in the media and entertainment sector, including digital content and media rights issues. Graham Hann focuses on gaming matters, and often advises on online safety and gambling issues.

DLA Piper handles digital content and social media matters as part of its wider media and entertainment group, which is led by Nick Fitzpatrick. Duncan Calow oversees the digital side of the practice, acting for multinational tech companies on commercial and contractual issues. Claire Sng is also key to this area as she regularly advises on social media campaigns and issues related to the use of CGI and AI in advertising. Ally Clark is also noted for her work in the advertising and digital content spaces.

The IP-focused team at Browne Jacobson LLP largely assists brands from the fashion, beauty, retail, automotive, and food and drink sectors with contentious and non-contentious matters, including trade mark infringements and counterfeiting. The team also advises on influencer agreements with major brands, and has assisted clients with issues concerning the use of AI. Declan Cushley acts for brands in the management and protection of their IP portfolios. Giles Parsons and Emma Roake are also noted for their IP expertise.

The internet regulation practice at Deloitte Legal advises major broadcasting, gaming, publishing and social media companies on digital issues. Joanna Conway, who oversees the regulatory and compliance team, specialises in the internet sector, and frequently advises on online risks and emerging technology issues. Kathryn Dooks leads on employment-related matters, while Hilary Atherton, who is part of the TMT regulation team, assists with digital content risks.

Noted for its ‘deep expertise and experience in the digital content and social sector’, Hansel Henson is a boutique firm focused on digital media and IP which acts for notable clients in regulatory and tech-related matters. Practice head Tom Henson is often seen advising on software applications, trade marks and contracts for app development. Co-head David Hansel is counsel of choice for digital advertising matters, and also assists with media rights and issues concerning convergent technologies. Sarah Wells is skilled at drafting and negotiating software licensing and social media influencer marketing contracts.

Singled out for its strong credentials in social media influencer matters, Level Law is adept at advising emerging and well-established influencers on contracts and issues concerning partnerships and personal brands. Mark Ashelford, who joined from Russells Solicitors in September 2023, focuses on social media matters and is a key contact for influencers and creators. Carolyn Burbridge excels in the digital media space, advising on non-contentious issues such as contract management, while Claudia Vincenzi advises start-ups and Alastair Shaw handles dispute resolution matters in the digital media space. Burbridge, Vincenzi and Shaw all recently joined the firm in October 2023 from William Grace. Suzi Sendama and Rupert Sprawson are also key to the digital media practice.

Lewis Silkin‘s social media and digital content practice provides commercial, IP, regulatory and employment advice to major global streamers and social media platforms. The group is also well placed to advise talent - both influencers and creators - on key contractual and regulatory issues. Music expert Cliff Fluet and commercial and IP specialist Alan Hunt jointly lead the wider group. Brinsley Dresden oversees the advertising and marketing team alongside Geraint Lloyd-Taylor, who also heads up the regulatory group.

Morrison Foerster’s London-based team mainly focuses on advising social media influencers, agencies, brands and tech companies on IP and contractual issues. The practice is jointly overseen by Steven James, a name to note for both contentious and non-contentious media matters, and Alistair Maughan, who advises on commercial licensing and transactions across the UK and Europe.

Best known for its expertise in the music industry, Russells Solicitors is home to a digital and technology practice that attracts frequent instructions from rights holders, emerging digital platforms and individual talent. The team is led by Alex Cole, who advises start-ups and individuals on AI, digital rights licensing, web3 and other key digital issues. Henry Priestley is active in disputes involving digital issues. This is also a key area of expertise for Alice Rudge, whose performance in AI and digital royalties-related claims is noteworthy.

Focused on interactive media and entertainment, the practice at Sheridans mainly assists gaming companies and technology clients with digital and content matters. The team is also known for its work in the advertising space, where it often advises on generative AI issues. Co-head Alex Tutty handles a mix of IP, games development and publishing issues, while fellow co-leader Jamie Smith is recognised for his post-production and immersive technology work. Andrew Bravin is active in commercial matters, with a particular focus on the creative media and fashion sectors.