Baker McKenzie‘s media and entertainment practice is well-known for its work advising social media giants, gaming, and interactive entertainment companies. The team has been particularly active advising clients on the implications and requirements of the Online Safety Act 2023. It has also been a go-to advisor for potential risks and uses of generative AI in games, social media, and other online content. The team is spearheaded by Ben Allgrove, who is an expert in digital media and intermediary platforms. Allgrove is also well-versed in technology regulation, content and digital commerce, IP, and AI issues, and he represents clients in digital and consumer disputes, as well as regulatory investigations. John Groom has been key to assisting clients with online safety regulations and also advises on copyright and new technologies.

The media practice at CMS stands out for its expertise in digital content, advising multinational corporations, broadcasters, streamers, and gaming clients on commercial, corporate, and regulatory issues. On the social media side, the firm assists with regulatory issues surrounding new product launches and interactive experiences. It also has experience advising clients on monetisation of digital assets, establishing new live services, and acquisitions and investments of streaming services and digital platforms. The practice is led by Victoria Gaskell, who specialises in commercial media matters, assisting production companies, distributions, platforms, and channels with corporate deals, regulatory issues, and commercial transactions. Selina Potter is a go-to for broadcasters, John Enser excels at advising on audio and audio-visual content issues, and Anna Soilleux-Mills regularly handles sports, media, and gambling matters.

Reed Smith LLP is a premier media and entertainment firm, leading on digital media work, cross-border transactions, and complex disputes. The team boasts a strong client base that includes leading media and entertainment corporations and gaming companies. The practice is strong in a number of digital content sectors, including interactive entertainment, advising on regulatory issues related to online safety. It also stands out for its expertise in music, advising on licensing and rights management agreements. Social media companies seek out the firm for support with corporate governance, commercial contracts, and compliance. Elle Todd leads the team and excels at advising on advertising and consumer protection regulations, AI content moderation, and digital safety. Gregor Pryor is a media and entertainment heavyweight, representing game developers, production companies, record labels, and celebrities in digital content matters, and Nick Breen is another key team member and assists with digital media issues and regulatory compliance.

RPC is a leading media and entertainment firm which focuses on advising digital platforms, video game publishers and developers, marketplaces, and digital publishers on digital content and social media mandates. The firm keeps clients up-to-date with regulatory issues, advising on online harm, and emerging digital technologies, including AI, the metaverse and augmented reality, as well as NFTs. The practice is jointly led by Oliver Bray and Rupert Cowper-Coles; Bray boasts a wealth of experience advising technology and social media platforms on regulatory compliance, AI content, and investigations, and he also advises on data protection and commercial contracts. Cowper-Coles is an expert media and data protection litigator who regularly represents social media and technology companies. Hettie Homewood is noted for her work on consumer protection.

Bristows LLP is well-known for advising TMT sector clients on IP, data protection, and privacy matters. The team is also equipped to represent clients in regulatory investigations and enforcement actions. Its offering encompasses advice on content acquisition, licensing, digital rights management, privacy, and AI issues. Clientele of the firm include social media platforms, computer gaming companies, and online publishers. Team lead Paul Jordan advises on content licensing and brand protection, while IP litigator Simon Clark handles digital and online issues, including the use of AI and third party content.

Fieldfisher fields a cross-discipline digital content and social team that consists of corporate finance, digital media, tax, IP, litigation, and regulatory experts who handle a mix of contentious and non-contentious issues. Clients of the firm are wide-ranging, from start-ups to social media giants and international technology companies. Practice head John Brunning advises clients in this sector on contractual and regulatory issues, including online safety, data protection, and privacy and consumer regulations. Leonie Power has been notably active in assisting clients with data protection issues, as well as AI matters.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP assists a range of clients, from smaller organisations to multinational broadcasters and technology companies. The team leverages the firm's wider expertise in commercial, corporate, regulatory, IP, and disputes resolution to advise on complex transactions. Team lead Hayley Brady assists emerging and growing digital companies with expanding and established players with establishing new digital platforms. She also advises on content licensing, regulatory issues, and joint ventures. Stephen Wisking is noted for his work on complex competition disputes involving media clients.

Lewis Silkin continues to excel in advising brand owners, agencies, talent, and social media platforms on commercial, IP, employment, and regulatory matters. The practice is jointly led by Geraint Lloyd-Taylor and Phil Hughes out of London. Lloyd-Taylor is well-known for his work in the advertising and marketing sector, as well as his expertise in regulatory issues; he has advised on crypto, online safety, and environmental issues for branded content and media. Hughes leverages his previous experience working at a digital talent management business to advise on commercial IP and contractual issues, and he has been key to advising clients on AI use in creative content.

Simkins LLP is active in advising clients in the digital media space on the use of AI in creative industries, Web3, and copyright issues. The team is often sought after by clients for music, advertising, and marketing-related issues, often involving digital content and social aspects. It also assists with data protection and regulatory issues. Practice head Ed Baden-Powell supports clients with a wide array of arrangements and commercial contracts, such as services agreements, joint ventures, and rights exploitation-related work. He is also well-versed on corporate transactions and commercial franchising. Music and advertising specialist Nick Eziefula often handles digital matters, while Ed Weidman focuses on advising talent on digital media.

Taylor Wessing LLP supports both traditional media clients and digital media, entertainment, and streaming platforms with complex digital content and social matters. The team is home to experts in matters related to content and platforms, often advising on copyright and liability of technology platforms related to content hosted on their sites. It is also well-versed in regulatory advice, ensuring clients are compliant with the Digital Services Act and Online Safety Act 2023. The practice has also assisted media and publishing clients with AI issues related to their products, data protection, and competition matters. Spearheading the practice, Adam Rendle has a wide range of expertise in platform liability work, AI issues, corporate transactions, content licensing, and disputes. Xuyang Zhu focuses on assisting digital content services and media rights holders.

Browne Jacobson LLP is well-versed in aiding clients across the technology, retail, beauty, food and drink, and automotive sectors on digital content issues. The team is highly adept at handling a range of IP issues, IT matters, commercial contracts, and advertising and marketing matters. Practice head Declan Cushley is an IP specialist who centres his practice on working with brands on trade marks, brand protection, and sponsorships. Giles Parsons assists clients with trade mark portfolios and R&D agreements.

A digital media and IP boutique firm, Hansel Henson Limited is well-positioned to advise clients on app development, publishing and broadcasting of content online, and IP issues. The team ensures that clients adhere to data protection regulations when hosting new apps online and that their trade marks are secure. David Hansel, who co-leads the team, is well-versed in digital advertising matters and mainly assists technology companies. Co-head Tom Henson supports clients with monetising products, services, and content online, on mobile, and on gaming consoles. Sarah Wells handles commercial matters for digital media clients.

Level is comprised of numerous digital content and social specialists who are well-versed in advising influencers, businesses, technology companies, and online agencies on IP, commercial contracts, and compliance. Carolyn Burbridge is a ‘go-to lawyer for commercial media work’, and she assists entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs with digital content licensing and development agreements, data exploitation, and licensing and contractual issues. Suzi Sendama handles a range of disputes, as well as IP and commercial contract issues, for creative clients. Mark Ashelford is a social media specialist who centres his practice on representing influencers and creators in a range of issues, such as negotiating partnership deals, AI, and celebrity image rights.

Morrison Foerster has an internationally-focused media and entertainment practice that advises technology, gaming, and digital entertainment clients on domestic and cross-border mandates. The team advises on commercial, regulatory, IT, and licensing matters, and it also draws on its IP expertise to advise on trade mark, franchise, and compliance issues. The team also assists celebrities, influencers, and production companies with digital content matters. Heading up the team, Alistair Maughan is adept at advising on commercial contracts, technology delivery models, and licensing projects, while co-head Steven James assists celebrities and corporations with contentious and transactional matters.

Onside Law LLP is a sports boutique which regularly handles matters in the digital content and social sphere. The team advises on the production, distribution, and exploitation of digital content for sports governing bodies, influencers, sports talent, and talent agencies. It has expertise across influencer marketing and digital advertising for the sports industry. James Tobias leads the team and focuses on digital media and broadcast matters for the sports industry. Co-head Adam Leadercramer centres his practice on advising sports rights holders on media, data, and digital content issues.

Deloitte Legal is home to an internet regulation specialist team that advises global TMT clients on digital regulations. It has been active in keeping clients up-to-date on upcoming regulations and issues such as the Digital Markets Competition and Consumer Act 2024, as well as the Online Safety Act 2023 and AI. Clients of the firm also benefit from its skills in employment, corporate, and IP matters. Team lead Joanna Conway is well-versed in online media risks and new emerging technologies. She advises social media platforms, gaming companies, marketplaces, and search services.

Russells Solicitors centres its digital content and social practice around assisting creators, from influencers to musicians, talent, talent managers, and celebrities. The practice is led by Alex Cole who is experienced in a wide array of digital media matters. He has advised on issues such as AI, influencer economy, data privacy, online regulatory matters, digital music, and social media, to name a few. Jamie Brazier is a key team member who advises on digital brand deals and endorsement opportunities.

The digital content and social practice at Sheridans is led by Jamie Smith, who is noted for his work on post production and immersive technology. He is an expert in commercial matters, advising film, digital, and experiential agencies and interactive studios. Alex Tutty is a computer games specialist who is a go-to advisor on the use of AI and generative AI in games and interactive entertainment. Other clients of the firm include influencers, platforms, and podcast companies, and they benefit from the firm’s wide media and entertainment expertise across advertising, adtech, and production.