Harbottle & Lewis LLP excels at advising video game and esport clients on a wide range of issues. The firm’s clientele includes global publishers and IP owners, smaller publishers, and distributors. It is highly experienced in negotiating game deals and representing clients in media disputes that often include cross-border elements. The team also advises indie gaming studios and trade associations on video gaming matters. The firm boasts a strong corporate team to support clients with investments and M&A in the gaming sector. Mark Phillips co-leads the practice and is an expert in commercial video game matters, and co-head Kostyantyn Lobov is well-known for his commercial, IP, and regulatory work in the gaming industry. Ed Lane is a go-to for corporate issues and was promoted to partner in April 2025. Marissa Beatty is a newly promoted senior associate who focuses on IP disputes for the gaming sector.

Reed Smith LLP's video gaming team is sought out by global video gaming and entertainment companies for its expertise regarding cross-border transactions, disputes, and regulations. The team has sector-specific expertise, assisting clients with online safety regulations, creative content licensing, esports, streaming, and NFTs. The practice has been key to major acquisitions in the gaming industry and is well-versed in advising on licensing agreements. Over the last year, it has advised gaming clients on AI-related issues, including compliance with the EU AI Act. Gregor Pryor is an expert in advising game developers and interactive clients on acquisitions, creation, licensing, and distribution of digital content. Elle Todd leads the team and is experienced in advising gaming clients on advertising and consumer protection regulations and AI. Nick Breen is a go-to for rights acquisition, licensing, and regulatory compliance for the video games sector.

RPC is a strong video games and esports firm, advising esports teams, video game developers, publishers, and platforms on contentious and non-contentious matters. The practice is led by Joshua Charalambous, who centres his practice on both IP and commercial matters. The firm is able to assist clients with a wide array of matters, from online safety to consumer regulations, commercialisation, and protection of content, as well as advertising and marketing matters. The group is also well-known for its work in the disputes space where it defends clients in litigation related to licensing, acquisitions, and consumer issues. Oliver Bray is well-equipped to advise on regulatory compliance and AI issues for social media platforms, while David Cran supports video game publishers, developers, distribution companies, and platforms with technology,  competition, and commercial issues. Jeremy Drew often handles gaming and esports matters, such as licensing and sponsorship deals.

Sheridans is a leading firm for video game developers, advising a mix of independent developers and international publishing studios. The team assists clients with corporate deals in the video game space, securing loan financing for new and upcoming studios as well as advising on video games tax relief and video games expenditure credit schemes. Spearheading the practice, Alex Tutty advises on IP issues affecting the gaming industry, development and publishing of video games, including AI issues, and investments in the gaming sector. Alex Chapman is well-known for his expertise in the computer games industry, focusing on commercial issues. Rahul Gandhi left the firm in 2024.

Wiggin LLP boasts a sizeable interactive entertainment practice which ‘truly knows video games and the industry’. The practice has three focus areas: assisting with contracts for developing and commercialising products, IP protection, and regulatory compliance. The group advises global video game developers, platforms, publishers, esports companies, and industry trade associations. Paul Gardner is an authority in the video games industry and he is well-respected for his expertise in representing games companies, publishers, and platforms. Peter Lewin specialises in commercial deals, including games publishing and licensing, IP exploitation, and regulatory issues. Isabel Davies focuses on regulatory matters affecting the sector, such as online safety and child protection. Rahul Ghandhi joined the firm from Sheridans and frequently advises on commercial agreements.

CMS is a full-service firm that fully supports video gaming publishers, esports teams, developers, and gaming organisations with the full gamut of gaming issues. The practice advises a range of clients on publishing deals, commercial agreements, corporate transactions, and consumer-related matters. It has assisted numerous clients with launching gaming platforms or services as part of their offering, and has assisted clients with funding gaming studios and projects. The wider media and entertainment team is led by media specialists Victoria Gaskell and Paul Guite, and they are ably supported by Sam Oustayiannis, who is well-versed in handling complex deals in the video gaming space.

Lee & Thompson LLP's video games practice is led by Julian Ward who is well-versed in the development and publication of video games, online content licensing, digital platforms, online advertising, and marketing and esports. The practice advises global video gaming companies, developers, publishers, and platforms on the entire lifecycle of video game development and publishing transactions and online safety issues. It also assists clients with video game investments and acquisitions, which often include cross-border elements. The group is also frequently sought after to offer advice to video game developers to advise on commercial, licensing, and IP work.

Mishcon de Reya LLP has been notably expanding on its strength in advising gaming clients on IP matters to the wider interactive entertainment space, assisting with regulatory and commercial issues. The team also advises on M&A, tax and structuring, employment, and compliance issues. Consumer and online safety law, advertising and in-app monetisation, and potential IP infringement applications through the use of AI also form key areas of activity for the group. The practice was bolstered by the arrival of Nick Allan from Lewis Silkin in November 2024; Allan leads the team alongside Nick Nocton, who ‘is a subject matter expert for video games‘ and a go-to lawyer for gaming clients. Harry Clark assists with commercial, regulatory, licensing, and compliance work for the clients in the video games sector.

Taylor Wessing LLP is well-equipped to advise gaming clients on regulatory issues, including advertising regulations, as well as consumer law, copyright issues, and M&A transactions. The firm is also skilled in data protection and privacy work, and often represents clients in content licensing disputes. Graham Hann leads the commercial team and advises publishers and developers on player acquisitions, licensing and publishing deals, and online safety and gambling regulations. Co-head Robert Fenner leads on the corporate side and assists gaming clients with M&A and equity funding. Richard Faichney focuses on corporate and technology transactions, often handling complex M&A for the video games sector.

Fieldfisher is home to a cross-departmental gaming practice that is comprised of corporate, employment, advertising and marketing, IP, and litigation specialists. It supports video gaming clients with a wide range of matters, from corporate investments and employment-related mandates, to acquisitions and trade mark infringement disputes. Practice head John Brunning handles a mix of contractual matters and regulatory issues for gaming clients, such as advising on online safety and publishing deals.

Latham & Watkins is noted for its corporate work in the video gaming sphere. The firm assists clients with acquisitions and dispositions of gaming companies and game titles, capital market transactions, and product development launches. The team also advises on data privacy and protection issues, including managing data breaches and assisting with game registration and data collection flows. Practice head Mike Turner is well-versed in M&A transactions, venture capital, and private equity for the gaming sector.

Lewis Silkin's video gaming practice advises independent game developers and major publishers on commercial, IP, corporate, and employment matters. Laura Harper leads the practice from Manchester and specialises in advising studios and publishers on publishing deals and commercial matters. In London, Karish Andrews focuses on corporate transactions for gaming clients, while Neil Parkes handles contentious matters for gaming clients.