A music specialist firm, Bray & Krais is sought out by British artists for its expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters. The team negotiates contracts, protects client’s IP rights, and aids with investments within the music industry sector, and the group fields a strong bench of music experts who have a wealth of expertise advising a myriad of music clients. Richard Bray is well-known for his specialism in handling music contracts, brand deals, and licensing agreements, while Mark Krais advises on commercial, contract, and IP issues for leading artists. Simon Dixon has advised key clients on corporate music issues, such as catalogue acquisitions and licensing matters. Simon Goodbody is a litigation expert, Jonny Petch, centres his practice on a mix of corporate and commercial issues, and newly promoted partner Dorothea Thompson focuses on branding and trade marks. Joseph Davis has also recently been elevated to the partnership and is a go-to for equity investments, catalogue sales, shareholder agreements, and corporate brand partnerships.

Clintons is well-known for its expertise across contentious and non-contentious music issues, assisting leading international and domestic artists. The team has been active in musical theatre rights and music catalogue acquisitions, and on the non-contentious team, Andrew Myers supports music artists with re-negotiations and restructurings, while practice head Berkeley Edwards represents British artists, songwriters, and producers in high-profile negotiations. International artists are looked after by music specialist Nicky Stein, and the firm’s music litigation team is led by Andrew Sharland, who has represented major artists and bands in litigation against labels and managers. He also represents multinational music and media companies and indie US and UK artists in contentious issues. Karim Bouzidi is another key member of the disputes team, alongside Blake Wilner, who uses his technical music expertise to advise on high profile disputes, and Patrick Lawrence, who is a strong civil litigator. The firm also fields a music rights acquisition team that is headed up by Charles Gerada.

Lee & Thompson LLP‘s music group is led by music specialist Lawrence Engel, who advises recording artists, songwriters, producers, DJs, and music managers. The wider team also represents established heritage acts, major current artists, and emerging music talent in a mix of litigation and commercial work. Martyn Bailey is a leading music litigator acting for record labels, publishers, artists, and managers, while Will Everitt advises clients on music industry contracts and IP issues, as well as live events and touring arrangements for artists. Lizzie Payne-James and Tim Fowler are also notable artist lawyers. Furthermore, the practice has assisted with music-related investments, contractual issues, new label launches, and recording arrangements. Gordon Williams is well-known for his music litigation work. Liv Lyons left the firm in February 2025.

Russells Solicitors is lauded as the ‘pre-eminent firm in music disputes’ and ‘one of the leading London firms in music law’. The firm stands out for its history in assisting leading artists and music companies with the full gamut of music matters. It has also been notably active in catalogue sales and purchases, which are often handled by corporate specialists Ryan Vince and practice head Chris Gossage. It fields a dedicated new artist department, which is geared towards advising emerging talent; Simon Jordan is the key name to note for new artists. Jo Brittain co-leads the practice alongside Gossage, and he focuses on both emerging and established talent. Gavin Maude heads up the commercial team, and he is well-known as a leading artist lawyer, and he also represents music industry executives and employees in employment issues. The litigation team is spearheaded by Steven Tregear, who excels in bringing and defending copyright infringement, contractual, and audit claims. Simon Esplen advises a wide array of industry clients, from artists and managers, to songwriters and producers, while Henry Priestley is a go-to figure for disputes. Dan Hoyle and Alice Rudge are also noted for their specialism in non-contentious and contentious music work, respectively. Liv Lyons recently joined the practice following her departure from Lee & Thompson LLP.

Simkins LLP is well-versed in advising a wide array music industry clients, from talent and estates of renowned artists, to music companies and record labels. Catalogue acquisitions and sales are a key focus of the team, alongside drafting and negotiating rights agreements. The group has specialised expertise in tax and estate planning for musicians and represents clients in issues before the copyright tribunal. On the disputes side, the practice frequently represents clientele in copyright and contract law litigation. The firm also aids artists seeking out assistance for live events and touring arrangements. Practice head Euan Lawson leads on contractual and copyright issues, as well as matters involving the taxation of entertainers. Nick Eziefula is noted for his artist law work, advising on commercial issues, while Ed Baden-Powell assists with rights deals, Paddy Gardiner excels in music-related disputes, and Ed Weidman focuses on contractual matters. Tom Iverson handles a mix of media disputes and defamation cases.

Hamlins LLP has boosted the strength of its music practice through its acquisition of boutique music firm Swan Turton LLP, adding Catherine Fehler, Julian Bentley, and Stuart Barry to its team. Fehler is a disputes expert focused on IP, defamation, and privacy, Bentley represents independent record companies, music publishers, and artists, and Barry centres his practice on commercial music law. The firm is well-known for its specialism in advising UK music collecting societies with contentious music requirements. It also stands out for its work on music merchandising and counterfeiting, where it assists clients with carrying out raids across the UK and Europe of manufacturers of infringing band and artist merchandise. IP advice is also a key area of the practice, and spearheading the group is Martin Ochs, who is trusted by music societies as outside counsel and acts for music publishing and merchandising clients in counterfeiting issues.

Harbottle & Lewis LLP has a specialised music practice led by music industry expert Kieran Jay. The team centres its practice on advising talent on management agreements, recording and publishing deals, endorsement, and merchandise deals, as well as potential joint ventures. The firm acts for major UK artists, songwriters, producers and record labels, and it has advised clients on master recording and catalogue sales, as well as represented record label and music executives in mandates. Jay is known for his expertise in assisting artist clients from the early stages of their careers and helping them to develop and grow. Neil Adleman advises on IP rights issues for music clients, while Sofie Sigvardt and Will Priestley assist with day-to-day music matters.

Lewis Silkin focuses on digital and live music matters, assisting labels, brands, rights-owners, and digital services on label deals, catalogue acquisitions, live performance issues, and sponsorships. It also handles a number of copyright ownership and infringement disputes between former band members. AI music companies and matters are also handled by the team, as well as synthetic and adaptive media for music, voice, lyrics, and music data intelligence. Practice head Cliff Fluet is well-versed in digital media and music matters, representing major and independent labels, digital service providers, social networks, and music innovators with corporate and commercial matters. Jeremy Summers is noted for his work on IP issues affecting music clients, while Lauren Stone focuses on music rights clearance and negotiating talent contacts with artists for live shows.

Reed Smith LLP is an expert in music and talent law, handling large, complex transactions and corporate matters for the music industry. Catalogue music acquisitions are a major pillar of the practice, which works closely with rights holders, investors, and entertainment companies to structure successful deals and protect artist legacies. It also assists clients with joint ventures and investments, advises record labels and technology companies on music licensing and copyright law, and negotiates agreements between artists, managers, and music companies. Additionally, the team is equipped to assist on AI issues, ensuring clients remain compliant with copyright law while using AI to aid the creation of music. Gregor Pryor leads the music team and is an expert in supporting record labels, music publishers, and artists in music catalogue acquisitions, AI-driven licensing models, regulatory compliance, and other music transactions. He is ably supported by Nick Breen, who is experienced in handling rights acquisitions, licensing, and commercial transactions.

Sheridans' music practice advises artists, songwriters, producers, and music companies on a range of day-to-day matters, talent issues, and corporate mandates. Practice head Stephen Luckman advises musical groups and individual performers, writers, and producers on commercial and IP issues, while co-lead Claire Lewis advises on matters that cross over between music and the theatre industry. Russell Roberts is knowledgeable on a wide array of music matters, including share transactions, sales and acquisitions of music catalogues, and employment matters. He often represents US music companies and artists, as well as domestic talent. Artists seek out Lance Phillips to advise on music and media agreements and the acquisitions of music rights. Wale Kalejaiye provides assistance to both emerging and established music clients, supporting their outside ventures and advising on IP rights.

Sound Advice (Legal) LLP is a go-to firm for creatives, frequently assisting artists with their music careers. The firm fields a strong team of music-focused experts led by Robert Horsfall, who is well-known for his work advising legacy artists as well as jazz, country, folk, and Americana artists. Sonia Diwan ‘is highly respected by the music industry’, representing key pop and urban music acts, songwriters, and producers on commercial matters. Jules O’Riordan is embedded in the electronic music industry, having performed globally as a DJ and currently advising on management, recording, publishing, distribution, and label services for electronic dance acts. Alex Meiklejohn specialises in live and sponsorship sectors, assisting music companies and artists of all genres.

CMS's music practice combines commercial and corporate expertise with advising on licensing transactions and disputes, as well as copyright issues. Of recent note,  the team has advised music clients on copyright issues arising out of the rise of AI. Clientele of the firm comprises of music rights owners, music companies, technology enterprises, and digital services. The music practice is led by John Enser who has broad expertise across commercial, regulatory and copyright law. He regularly assists clients with the licensing of music rights, both individually and collectively, and is active in copyright tribunal cases. Steven Corney is a litigation specialist who handles music rights disputes.

Keystone Law is well-placed to advise on contentious and non-contentious issues for music individuals and corporate organisations. Nick Weaser is a key adviser to songwriters, artists, and producers on publishing and record deals, as well as live performance, merchandising, and sponsorship agreements. Litigation specialist Lawrence Abramson represents high-profile individuals and music companies in copyright, contractual, and license disputes. Copyright infringement proceedings against writers and publishers are handled by Jacqueline Brown.

Level is home to senior lawyers all specialised in the music industry, and the group has recently expanded with the addition of Anna Harrison and Keith Ashby, who handle music matters and defamation cases respectively. Halina Wielogorska is known for her commercial outlook when handling music matters, often advising artists, music start-ups, labels, and music businesses. John Reid focuses on employment matters for the music industry, largely assisting senior executives. Raffaella De Santis is noted for her work on live performances, touring agreements, and digital music rights, while Rupert Sprawson is an expert in music publishing, recorded music, and digital distribution.

Simons Muirhead Burton is noted for its specialism in music asset acquisitions and sales. The firm has strong transactional capabilities, assisting music industry clients with M&A, joint ventures, investments, and partnerships. Practice head Richard Baskind works together with artists, songwriters, independent record labels, music publishers, and music executives on music industry transactions. Alasdair George focuses on advising major and independent music companies, investment funds, and entrepreneurs on talent and business matters. Also noted is Anthony Orum, who supports music clients with branding, business strategy, and other legal issues.

Statham Gill Davies's music practice is well-versed in music law matters, focusing on artist representation. It advises British talent on management, branding, sponsorships, and publishing contracts, alongside a variety of agreements such as non-disclosures, commercial, and talent agreements. Talya Shalson spearheads the practice and advises music artists, songwriters, and producers on agreements and rights issues. John Statham handles a mix of UK and international artists, advising on corporate and IP issues. Paul Lennon has a wealth of experience assisting new artists and corporate clients with music matters.

Wiggin LLP acts for music industry bodies, streaming services, technology companies, and record labels in contentious and non-contentious music matters. It stands out for its expertise in handling copyright infringement cases for music-related clients, and it also boasts regulatory and commercial expertise, advising technology and data companies, as well as digital music platforms. For corporate work, the team regularly assists with acquisitions and catalogue sales. Rachel Alexander heads up the practice and is an expert in IP litigation for the music industry, while co-head Peter Mason focuses on music licensing issues, music copyright law, and AI issues. Alexander Ross is noted for his work on music rights, while Georgina Hart is well-versed in advising collecting societies.

Seddons GSC LLP is known in the industry for its work assisting music and copyright collecting societies with contentious and non-contentious matters. The team is home to experts in IP issues, representing clients in copyright tribunal disputes related to fees and license terms, and copyright infringement cases. It also assists with licensing issues and advises on international collections and copyright law reform. Enforcement work is also a key area of the practice. Justin Goldspink leads the group alongside Clive Halperin; Goldspink’s ‘knowledge of copyright, especially sound recording copyright in the music industry, is second-to-none’. Halperin handles a mix of commercial and corporate work, advising on cross-border transactions and AI issues for the music sector. Ross Waldram aids clients with day-to-day issues and IP protection.