Partner

Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning

Andrew’s busy legal practice involves estate planning drafting and advisory work. He advises individuals, many of whom are high profile, on their wills and estate planning taking into account a multitude of factors from wealth protection to taxation.  Andrew is a well-known and well-respected practitioner in London private client circles and holds a number of significant committee positions, including sitting as the Hon. Secretary of the City of London branch of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).

Andrew is a full member of the leading professional associations in this area of law, STEP and the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).  

Lancaster University, Law, 2001; The College of Law, 2002. 

Andrew is a sought after expert frequently being called upon to contribute to the national and international media on cases in his field of law and wider legal issues.  He regularly collaborates on stories featured in the broadsheets, including The Sunday Telegraph, and regularly provides legal commentary in The Sunday Times Business & Money. He has appeared on Sky News, TRT World and as a guest reviewer on the popular live segment The Papers on BBC News.  

Client testimonials

“It is thanks to your excellent advice, your fine judgement, astute analysis and tenacity, as well as your extensive knowledge, that a most complicated and difficult case was resolved successfully. I feel most fortunate to have been in your very capable hands and appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness to me throughout a long and stressful legal process.”   

Mrs A, Belgravia, London, July 2020. Constructive trust claim / Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 claim.

"Andrew Kidd has been my lawyer and looks after my affairs for many years. I have huge respect for him in many ways, his kindness, his ability to deal with important matters with immediate effect...anyone who has Andrew to look after their affairs has struck gold and should listen to his advices carefully, they are said with meaning and forethought..."

Mrs B, West Sussex, February 2021. General estate planning matters.

“I appreciate very much how thorough you have been and fun to work with…I feel such a weight off my mind now that my affairs have been formalised.”

 Mrs C, Knightsbridge, London, March 2021. Estate planning – UK and Switzerland.

Acts for an array of well-known and established artists in the music industry.

Clients say he is "amazing to do deals with" and "very shrewd, experienced and wise" (Chambers & Partners).

Leads the firm's litigation and dispute resolution practice.

One of the leading Media and Entertainment litigators in the UK. Recognised as such repeatedly by all the major legal directories.

Practice encompasses a very broad spectrum of contentious issues, from Music to Privacy and Reputation Management to Theatre, Film, Television, Sports, Advertising, Gaming and Data and Technology industries. Clients include internationally known musicians, artists, film and television production companies, major recording and publishing companies, brand owners and creatives, tech and gaming companies, sporting personalities, actors, actresses and television presenters and the managers and agents of all these professionals

Track record in landmark litigation, including representing Sony Music in the litigation brought unsuccessfully by George Michael; representing EMI Music Publishing in a landmark Court of Appeal decision on reversionary rights under the 1911 Copyright Act; and in successfully bringing a substantial, international trade mark action for W3 Limited against easyGroup

Brought or defended actions for Robert Smith (The Cure), Nigel Martin-Smith (the founding manager of Take That), Disclosure, Radiohead,  Syco, Universal, BMG,  Imagem Music Publishing and numerous other household names.

Educated at Winchester College and Cambridge University and qualified initially at the Bar, before re-qualifying as a Solicitor in 1988.

Berkeley heads the firm's Music practice.

His main focus is music work, advising both emerging and established artists, producers, songwriters and managers on a wide range of legal and commercial issues. He also advises a number of record labels, publishing companies and digital businesses.

Before qualifying as a lawyer, Berkeley worked for a number of years in the music industry - with experience ranging from promotion and record labels to artist management. 

A keen musician. 

Joined the firm in 2007 as a trainee.

Leads the firm's corporate practice.

Handles corporate transactional work, mergers and acquisitions and private equity investments as well as providing general advice on business matters as they arise. Frequently assists clients with business start-ups (including drafting shareholder agreements and terms of business), other joint venture and commercial contracts, intellectual property (including software and development agreements), employment and loan and security agreements. 

Works with entrepreneurs and corporates and has extensive experience in technology focussed businesses, having been advising clients in the online gaming industry for over 15 years.  

Extensive experience advising clients in the pharmaceutical industry and regularly acts on product licence acquisitions and disposals.

Close connections with Malta and sits on the board of the Malta Business Network.  

Trustee and former chair of the Downside Settlement.

Advises on all aspects of corporate work with particular experience in mergers and acquisitions, strategic partnerships and public and private equity fundraising. 

Clients range from listed international corporates to individual owners of private businesses and entrepreneurs looking for assistance with their technology start-ups.

Advises on transactions across a broad range of industry sectors including music, sport, theatre, marketing, new technology and oil and gas exploration.

Prior to becoming a solicitor, Chris qualified as a Chartered Company Secretary (ACIS) and oversees the provision of the firm’s company secretarial services.

Qualified with Clintons in 2006. 

A Partner since 2007, David has more than two decades’ experience of dispute resolution and litigation of all kinds - both within and outside of his core fields of music, entertainment and media.

Directories

“Pro-active” and “a great communicator”, "incredibly calm", "an excellent lawyer - he handles matters superbly" - Chambers and Partners

A “highly rated”, “leading individual” – The Legal 500

Clients

"A monumental achievement...you're an absolute superstar - cannot tell you how much this means to us all. Thank you for your cool head, patience and good humour" - SB

“The final result is undoubtedly substantially above what I anticipated....this e-mail is to record my high appreciation for your overall professional dedication to the cause.  A big thank you for what you have done” – JPM

“It’s been brilliant to work with you on this … it really has been as easy a process as it could have been” – JL

“I could detail all the aspects of your handling of this case that I very much appreciated but I will keep that for a little later.  For the time being let me say that this outcome is beyond my expectations and it is very much due to the manner in which you managed the claim and the mediation” – JDS

“You did a tremendous job – you handled every twist and turn masterfully” – DA

“Thank you so much for your fantastic work, application and reassurance throughout this whole process. I don't know what we would have done without you.  I'm sure I speak on behalf of all the team in saying this but, from my personal viewpoint, you have been exceptional" – MC

“Bloody good work!” – KJ, Hiscox Insurance

Leads the firm's Immigration practice.

Dual qualified as an Attorney in New York and a Solicitor in England and Wales.

Focuses primarily on US immigration and nationality law. Works with individual talent and with talent groups, helping them obtain the required visas to enter the US for filming or performing. Advises start ups and established businesses expanding into the US or growing their US presence or workforce. Acts for entrepreneurs, seeking to start businesses in the US, investors seeking “green cards” under the investment schemes, and individuals seeking to self-petition for permanent residency in the US based on extraordinary abilities or national interest waivers.

Advises individuals requiring complex waivers of inadmissibility based on previous criminal record, as well as individuals seeking family based immigrant and non-immigrant visas and other immigration benefits or wishing to acquire or lose US citizenship. 

Wide range of clients, including traditional and new age talent, start-ups, owned and managed businesses, large multinational corporations, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals. Practice spans across sectors, with concentration in media, entertainment, creative and tech sectors. 

Active member of and a frequent speaker at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and regularly volunteers her time on AILA committees, chairing the last two biennial AILA RDC/EMEA London conferences.

Before Clintons, headed the US immigration practice at Lewis Silkin, having practised immigration law at firms in London and in the US. Before starting her career as an immigration lawyer, worked for a number of years as an international lawyer for the Armenian government. 

Keen traveller, experimental chef and a mixologist and a loyal Friend of the Royal Opera House.

Extensive experience of the media and entertainment industry and advises clients on commercial and intellectual property issues across a wide range of sectors including music and television.

Particularly well known for theatre and live event work. Recent stage productions include: The Bodyguard, An Officer and a Gentleman, Bat Out of Hell, Everybody’s Talking about Jamie, The Exorcist and Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty.  

Leads the firm’s Property practice and heads the firm’s Private Client Group.

Advises on all aspects of residential and commercial property law, including development site acquisition and disposal and secured lending.  Particular expertise in enfranchisement (both individual and collective).

Diverse Client base, including banks, corporate entities and offshore structures, entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and those in the public eye.  Works closely with other departments of the firm, including the family, corporate, litigation and entertainment departments.

Trained at Clintons and qualified in 2004

Recognised as a leading practitioner in Theatre.

Represents many of the leading British creators of musical theatre – Tim Rice, Don Black, the late Lionel Bart, George Stiles, Anthony Drewe, as well as directors, designers, orchestrators and producers. He also continues to represent a number of recording artists and television personalities. 

Also handles corporate matters in the entertainment business. 

Trustee of The Arts Foundation, Mercury Musical Developments, The Lionel Bart Foundation and The Whicker’s World Foundation.   

Heads the Film and Television practice.

Work spans media finance, development, production and exploitation of film and television content across all platforms, with an international client base from Los Angeles to Beijing. Best known for handling multi-party financing transactions, complex rights deals (for both buyers and sellers), life rights, investigative documentaries and completion guarantees. Praised by clients for his dynamic, vigorous approach to high pressure closings.

Recent work includes documentaries “Supersonic”, “Trojan” and “Death of Gentleman”; feature films “Titan”; “Ophelia” “Where Hands Touch” and “Moose”. Has also worked on a number of the most high value rights deals in TV in the UK.

Listed by the Legal 500 as a leading individual in film and television. Clients say he is “knowledgeable, thorough and fast”, “very experienced” and "an extraordinarily talented and knowledgeable practitioner with supremely effective legal and commercial nuance. He has built an impressive team... The team is ultra attentive and consistently goes beyond the call of duty to deliver results for the client."

Regular visiting lecturer to film MA courses and has provided expert evidence in complex film finance cases. His articles have been published by the Entertainment Law Review and Lexis. Most recently he has provided evidence for the House of Lords Communications Committee in relation to 'Public Service Broadcasting in the age of video on demand'.

Educated at University College London; City, University of London;  City Law School.

From 2005 to 2010 Kami worked in the film industry and produced eight international feature films with leading cast and film-makers. 

Deals with a broad range of disputes in the creative industries and sports (intellectual property and contractual disputes, as well as regulatory and disciplinary proceedings) acting for prominent individuals, as well as leading corporate entities. He also has a thriving general commercial litigation practice with particular experience of complex shareholder and LLP disputes, and senior executive ‘exits’. 

Has a Masters in UK, US and EU Law of Copyright from King's College London.

Contributing author to the textbook 'Football and the Law'. 

Before qualifying as a lawyer, spent 10 years as a successful music promoter. 

Fluent French.

Heads the firm’s employment practice.

Non-contentious work includes managing employee relations issues (both employer and employee), reviewing and drafting employment agreements and consultancy contracts, reviewing and drafting HR policies and procedures, hiring and firing senior executives, advising on internal commercial reorganisations, handling internal disciplinary and grievance procedures and also advising on TUPE matters.

Contentious experience includes handling High Court claims on anti-compete and post-termination restrictions; and employment tribunal claims relating to, amongst other things, unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and discrimination and trade union disputes. 

Clients drawn from a diverse range of sectors including entertainment, financial services and media and technology and include high net worth individuals and senior executives.

Regularly provides clients and their management teams with training on a multitude of employment related matters including, diversity and managing disciplinary and grievance investigations and hearings. She has co-written a chapter on jurisdiction and governing law for the publication “Cross-Border Transfers and Redundancies”.

Joined Clintons from Starr & Partners LLP, where she led the employment practice. Trained at Debevoise & Plimpton and joined the employment department of CMS Cameron McKenna upon qualification.

Leads the firm’s Family practice.

Over 23 years’ experience in dealing with both financial cases (including pre and post-nuptial agreements) and work relating to children. Acts for clients from all walks of life, with a particular expertise in dealing with high net worth complex financial cases involving businesses and trusts, often with an international dimension. 

Part of the original team that acted for Diana, Princess of Wales in her divorce. Established reputation for dealing with high profile clients from the sports, entertainment and media fields and their spouses. Acted for both Karen Parlour in respect of the widely reported landmark case and for Slavica Ecclestone.

Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

A collaboratively trained lawyer and member of the Central London Collaborative Forum (http://www.collaborativefamilylaw.org.uk/). Wide range of alternative dispute resolution skills to assist in the resolution of difficult family disputes without involving the courts.

Qualified as a solicitor in 1989 and became a partner at Mishcon de Reya in 1998 before moving to Clintons.

Conversational French and Welsh.
    
 

Qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and specialises in music and entertainment law.

Divides his time between London and Los Angeles. Advises both recording artists and writers in all aspects of the music industry, as well as acting for various record, publishing, production and management companies (he has previously managed artists and worked in-house at a major record company).

Nicky also advises on TV work and merchandise agreements (music and sport).

Recognised as a leading practitioner and senior statesman in Music.

Specialises in entertainment law, with particular expertise in all non-contentious commercial and contractual aspects of the global music industry and regularly advised on corporate and catalogue regulations and rules.  

Clients range from new artists, producers, songwriters and DJs, through to managers, merchandise companies, independent record and publishing companies, to major record companies and internationally renowned artists. Amongst others, has advised Boy George, Michael Jackson, U2, Paul Weller, Daft Punk, The Who, The Travelling Wilburys Stereophonics, Pink Floyd, The Sex Pistols, Cher and Duran Duran. 

Philip leads the firm’s Brands and Commercial practices.

Recognised in the Legal 500 for his work in Brand Management, Media and Entertainment and Sport.

Advises clients across a wide variety of sectors, including leading advertising and marketing services businesses, event owners and management companies, luxury brands, fashion designers, artists and art dealers, digital media and publishing businesses, cinematic and theatrical rights owners, bands, entertainers, authors and sports people (including Olympic medal winners). Has a particular expertise in the use and exploitation of Image Rights.

Trustee of the Swimathon Foundation, owners of the world's largest pool based fund-raising swim and other swimming events, which take place throughout the UK each year with over 25,000 participants.

Member of the newly constituted independent European Athletics Court.

Member of the European Sponsorship Association and author of the legal section of its Diploma qualification.

Educated at Marlborough College and Oxford University.

French speaker.

Privacy & Reputation Management; Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Described by Legal 500 as “sharp, focused and effective” and by Chambers & Partners as a “highly regarded litigator who defends clients, often celebrities and television personalities, from privacy invasion and defamation.  He has been very active in recent years pursuing hacking claims against tabloid newspapers”.

Leads the firm’s Privacy and Reputation Management practice, acting for well-known actors, television personalities, sportsmen and musicians in claims for defamation, malicious falsehood, misuse of private information, breach of confidence, data protection and protection from harassment. 

Currently advising clients in claims for misuse of private information against both News Group Newspapers Limited and MGN Limited arising out of the ongoing phone hacking scandal, including HRH The Duke of Sussex and David Walliams.  He also acts for Shane Richie who was one of the eight representative claimants in the Mirror Newspaper hacking litigation that were awarded record damages in the ground breaking Court of Appeal decision in Gulati & Ors v MGN Limited [2015] EWCA Civ 1291.  

He successfully acted for three of Paul Weller’s children in their high-profile misuse of private information claim against Associated Newspapers Limited, arising out of the publication in the Mail Online of seven highly intrusive paparazzi-style photographs of them on a family shopping trip with their father and at a cafe in Santa Monica, a decision that was upheld in the Court of Appeal (Weller v Associated Newspapers Limited [2015] EWCA Civ 1176) – as a consequence of this ruling tabloid newspapers are now required to pixilate photographs of children. 

Also undertakes general commercial litigation including contractual disputes in the music, film and theatre industries, as well as IP and property related issues. 

Studied Estate Management at Oxford Brookes University and qualified as a Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) in 1997. 

Has specialised in commercial and entertainment litigation for more than 40 years, both in the UK and the US and has substantial trial experience.  Considerable and wide-ranging experience as an advocate and litigation strategist, particularly in difficult and complex matters.

Global practice, representing clients from the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, the Russian Federation, Africa, the Middle East and Australasia.  Deals with complex commercial litigation and entertainment, media, sports and art disputes. Also has extensive experience of alternative dispute resolution, handling numerous arbitrations and mediations (both domestic and international), including appeals to sporting arbitral bodies for individuals and governing bodies.  Particular expertise in handling cases with international, cross-border elements.

Clients include international corporations, studios, Film and TV production and distribution companies, completion guarantors, artists, producers, composers, actors, directors, theatrical producers, advertising agencies, art advisers, sporting governing bodies, FIFA licensed agents and sportsmen and sportswomen. 

Before joining Clintons in 1999, he practised for approximately 20 years first as a barrister in England and then as an attorney in Los Angeles.  
 

Recognised as a leading practitioner in Digital Media and technology-related matters.

Works on a wide range of commercial and media matters and IT projects and regularly deals with IP issues including copyright, trademarks and brand protection, rights licensing, data protection and information security.

Clients include IT companies, digital content retailers and aggregators, music and entertainment companies, franchisors, advertising agencies, artists, managers, producers and film-makers.

Extensive practical experience in media and technology, having spent 15 years as a music producer and engineer and amassing a large discography.

In November 2020, Tom was invited to give expert oral evidence to a Parliamentary Committee enquiry into the streaming music market. Tom was asked for his views and analysis including in relation to the artist-led "Broken Record" campaign's proposal for expanding the role of collective licensing within music streaming. 

Trained at Bird & Bird before joining Clintons in 2005.

Dual-qualified as a UK solicitor and a New York attorney.

Alastair advises clients across the music and entertainment sectors, with a focus on representing established and emerging talent, independent record labels and independent publishers. 

Alastair joined Clintons in 2018 after nearly 4 years at Sound Advice, a boutique music law firm, where he worked with clients from across the music industry.

Qualified as a Solicitor in 2016.

Andrew completed his law studies at BPP, gaining distinctions in both the GDL and LPC. 

Before retraining as a lawyer, Andrew had a successful career as an actor and singer. Credits include playing the lead role in the Olivier award-winning The 39 Steps in the West End and Downton Abbey.

He has also recorded a gold-certified album as a member of the vocal group Teatro. 

Andrew was recently made an associate of the Royal Academy of Music for his significant contribution to the industry.

 Ben is an associate in the music department.

He works across the firm’s established client base and also assists his own clients which include artists, producers, mixers, songwriters, session-players, influencers, A&Rs, as well as a handful of independent record labels, publishers and management companies.

Active session guitarist, holds a WSET Diploma in Wine and enjoys competing in triathlons. 

Having trained at the firm, Blake qualified in to the Litigation Department in 2017. 

Blake advises clients from across the media and entertainment sector on a broad range of disputes. 

Before joining Clintons, Blake worked as a professional musician and performed throughout the world. He also held academic positions at tertiary music institutions and ran his own company that facilitated various aspects of his original musical projects, including album releases, touring, marketing and promotion.

Qualified as a Solicitor in 2017.

Caroline is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.  She has experience of a broad range of disputes in the media, entertainment and sports industries with a particular focus on reputation management, defamation and privacy claims. 

She is an integral member of the team currently advising prominent individuals in claims for misuse of private information against both News Group Newspapers Limited and MGN Limited arising out of the phone hacking scandal.

Listed by the Legal 500 as ‘a rising star’ (2019 Edition) and as providing 'key support to the reputation practice, with particular expertise in phone hacking claims' (2020 Edition).

Dan joined Clintons from a Top 100 UK firm in January 2018.

Dan qualified as a Solicitor in 2011 and has experience in all aspects of family law.  He specialises particularly in divorce and associated financial matters, often representing clients in high net worth disputes involving assets in multiple jurisdictions. 

Dan handles matters at all stages of a relationship including Pre and Post Nuptial agreements, civil partnership agreements and cohabitation agreements as well as all aspects of private law children cases, both domestic and international with experience in contentious leave to remove applications.

Dan is a Committee member of Resolution, an organisaiton committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes.  He has also developed relationships with other family lawyers often enabling him to reach cost effective and expedited settlements for his clients.
 
Outside of the office, Dan is a keen sportsman, playing both football and hockey and can be found trying to lower his handicap on the golf course! 

What others say about Dan:

Professional quotes:

“He’s a real star.  He manages high level cases well beyond his experience.  He’s a real rising star – probably one of the best solicitors I’ve worked with.”

“Daniel Chalmers is more junior, but definitely one to watch.”

Client testimonials:

“His knowledge and experience were second to none.  He knew our case inside out and was willing to put in the hours, or at least be available at all hours, when required.  He treated us very well, and no query we had was too trivial.  He was happy to speak on the phone, or by email, as required.  He knew exactly what was required to get the best outcome and what wasn’t worth pursuing.”

“Thank you so much for all your help and expertise over the last couple of years.  It made an enormous difference to have such a lovely person to deal with through the tough times.”

“I just want to say thank you for all the hard work you put in to get me the access I want with the girls.  I’m very grateful for everything you did.  You did an amazing job.”

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for all of your advice over the last year, without it I would not have had the confidence to do what I have and I’m so much happier now.”

“You have been terrific in the handling of my case…thanks for your support.”

Dom advises on all aspects of family law, including high-value and cross-border financial matters arising from divorce, complex disputes concerning the arrangements for children and international surrogacy.

"Dom Christophers is an excellent associate and certainly one to watch. He is hardworking and his meticulous attention to detail and flawless knowledge of his cases makes him a very able lawyer" - The Legal 500 (2021 Edition)

"What has impressed me most about Liz Vernon and Dom Christophers is their ability to give frank advice, work hard and gain their clients’ trust" - The Legal 500 (2021 Edition)

"Dom Christophers is hugely technically capable and builds very strong client relationships thanks to his willingness to go the extra mile and empathise effectively while giving pragmatic commercial advice" - The Legal 500 (2021 Edition)

Prior to joining Clintons, Dom spent 8 years in the music industry working with major artists, labels and live events. His knowledge of the industry and experience working with individuals in the public eye makes him uniquely placed to advise clients from the music and wider entertainment industries.

This experience was particularly valuable in his work assisting Liz Vernon on a reported case, in which Clintons represented a musician in a well-known band. The case provided the current guidance on how to deal with the valuation of music-related income streams in divorce and clarified the Court’s treatment of future earnings, amortisation, and the calculation of child support in “top-up” cases.

BA(Hons) degree from Royal Holloway, University of London and a Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course (Distinction) from the University of Law in London.

Dom qualified as a solicitor in 2019 and is a member of Resolution, a national organisation committed to finding a constructive solution to all family disputes.

Outside the office, Dom is a keen sportsman, collects too many records and doesn’t sell enough of them.

Hayley advises clients from across the media, entertainment and sports industry on a broad range of intellectual property, media and contractual disputes and reputation management issues.

Prior to joining Clintons, Hayley was part of the in-house legal team at the Premier League.

Before qualifying as a solicitor in 2017, Hayley worked at the Press Complaints Commission, the then regulator of the UK print press, as a complaints officer.

Masters in Intellectual Property and Commercial Law from the University of Bristol.

Joel is an Associate Solicitor in the Private Client Department, specialising in wills, trusts and estate planning. He qualified as a solicitor in September 2020 and joined Clintons in August 2021 from PwC Private Client Legal in London.

Before retraining as a solicitor, Joel was a professional trumpet player and countertenor. He studied at the Royal College of Music and pursued a freelance career of performing, conducting and teaching. He continues to maintain an active interest in music, as musical director of a choral society and trustee of an ensemble specialising in historically informed performance.

Royal College of Music – scholar, Bachelor of Music (Hons) - trumpet performance, 2012; BPP University, Graduate Diploma in Law, 2017; University of Law, Legal Practice Course, 2017.

Leo is an Associate in the Entertainment team, specialising in Film & TV. She advises production companies, financiers, film and television businesses, brands and leading talent on the creation, finance and exploitation of audio-visual content across all platforms.

Leo started her legal career in financial services and trained at an investment bank before spending a number of years at a magic circle firm specialising in regulatory, insolvency and transactional work.  Her keen interest in the arts drove a transition into entertainment law and she was head of legal and business affairs at Riverstone Pictures before joining Clintons.

Leo has travelled extensively. She regularly visits family in Argentina and spent a period of her childhood living with a tribe of Indians in the Amazon.  She speaks Spanish and intermediate French.  

Luke is a Senior Associate in the Entertainment Team, specialising in Film & TV. He advises production companies, financiers, film and television businesses, brands and leading talent on the creation, finance and exploitation of audio-visual content across all platforms.

Luke also advises clients in relation to general brand protection matters, multi-territory trade mark registrations and cyber security. 

Luke has a keen interest in the arts, in particular film and theatre, and has travelled extensively through Asia and Latin America. Luke is the vice-captain of the Clintons’ football team and, prior to joining Clintons in 2014, read History at the University of Sheffield.

Leads the firm’s UK immigration practice.

Advises across the full range of UK immigration and nationality applications and specialises in both business and personal immigration.  Recognised as a key lawyer in the Legal 500.

Assists businesses starting up in the UK with sponsor licence and Representatives of Overseas Business applications. Advises established businesses on recruitment into the UK, the Prevention of Illegal Working regime, sponsorship compliance and applications under Tiers 2 and 5 of the Points Based System.  Moves talent to the UK through the Tier 5 Creative, Exceptional Talent and Permitted Paid engagement routes. Acts for investors, entrepreneurs and innovators. Advises on family based applications for partners and children of British nationals, settlement, European applications and applications for British citizenship.

Conducts immigration audits to ensure that clients are not in breach of their compliance obligations and has successfully challenged Civil Penalties, succeeding in waiving fines for illegal working. 

Provides bespoke training and guidance to businesses on UK immigration, the sponsorship management system and the immigration implications of Brexit.

Large breadth of clients across industry sectors encompassing talent, start-ups, SMEs, large multinational companies, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals.

Active member of the Immigration Lawyers’ Practitioners Association (ILPA). Consults regularly with Home Office policy makers and liaises with industry representative bodies to inform their discussions with government on immigration policy development.

Before Clintons, was a Senior Associate at Lewis Silkin, having specialised in immigration law at leading London law firms since 2004.

Avid theatregoer, occasional surfer and enjoys travel.

Oli is a senior associate in the music department, advising a range of clients across the music industry including emerging and established recording artists, producers and songwriters as well as independent record labels and publishers.

He joined Clintons in 2021 after three and a half years as Business Affairs Manager at Parlophone Records.  Prior to that he spent five years working as a corporate lawyer at a city firm.

Oli read English and American Literature at Warwick University before attending law school in London.  While passionate about music, his musical ability is limited to having passed grade 4 viola and (just) grade 5 piano as a schoolboy.

Qualified as a Solicitor in 2014.

Represents a wide range of clients on all elements of their commercial and residential property requirements.

Acts on the sale and purchase of houses, flats and commercial units, as well as leasehold acquisition and disposal of offices and other commercial premises and residential enfranchisement.

Dual qualified in 2015 as a Solicitor in England and Wales and in Ireland.
   

Deals with a broad range of commercial and residential property matters and acts for landlords, tenants, buyers, sellers, lenders, investors, corporates, estates and private individuals.

Transactions include dealing with commercial leases, secured lending deals, investment acquisitions, corporate re-structuring and high end residential sales and purchases.

Experienced in London and UK property and acting for overseas clients.

Graduate of Cardiff Law School and member of Women in Banking and Finance and CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women).

Qualified as a Solicitor in 2003.

Specialises in Music.

Assists Andrew Myers and has a number of her own artist and management clients.

Head of Digital Marketing at Warner Brothers Records and spent seven years working in management for a high profile rock band, before joining Clintons.

Has a first class degree from Cambridge University in Social and Political Sciences and a distinction in both the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course.
 
 

Samantha graduated from the University of Leeds in 2012 with an LLB in law. She completed her Masters Degree in Law at BPP Holborn in 2019. With a particular interest in brands and marketing, she focused her final masters essay on the effects of Ambush Marketing at sporting events, and the potential legal remedies which could be adopted.  

In the years between her studies Samantha lived and worked abroad for a number of years, and since being back in London she has worked closely with the executives of a growing travel and creative company. 

In her spare time she enjoys going to gigs and is passionate about music.

Practice involves the full range of commercial and residential property. Including sales and purchases, leasehold acquisitions and disposals and asset management, as well as secured lending.

Graduated with an LLB law degree (2:1) and completed the LPC (distinction) at the University of Law. Trained at a Legal 500 firm in the City before joining Clintons.

Qualified as a Solicitor in April 2020.

Works across a broad spectrum of disputes and matters in the music, sport, entertainment and media, and commercial sectors, acting for both corporate entities and individuals (including well-known bands, artists and songwriters, and sports professionals).

Has assisted in bringing or defending cases for a variety of high profile clients including leading bands and bookmakers. Most recently involved in the Clintons team that won a substantial and international trade mark dispute against easyGroup. Also recently advised England Netball on a new regulatory framework for its Vitality Superleague.

Mentioned in the 2017 Legal 500 for commercial work in the sporting sector.

Read Medieval & Modern History at the University of Birmingham before studying law. Qualified as a Solicitor in 2013.

Previously worked as a writer and producer at a global music/media company, with specific experience dealing with new media and digital platforms. Trained and qualified as an NCTJ-accredited journalist.  A drummer and a keen runner, regularly competing in ultra-distance events across the world.
 

Sophie is an associate in the music department, advising a range of clients across the music industry. She joined Clintons in 2021 after training at an international City law firm. 

Sophie is classically trained in violin, and spent a number of her early years playing in the National Children’s Orchestra as well as various other orchestras at Bristol University and beyond. 

She has previously ghost written music reviews for a popular unsigned artist blog, and can often be found singing at Open Mic nights across London (or otherwise at London’s latest restaurant openings).

Advises clients from the subsidised and commercial sectors on all areas of theatre and live performance, including commercial, licensing, intellectual property and rights issues. Has also advised on corporate transactions in the entertainment, fashion, leisure and retail fields. 

Before qualifying as a solicitor, Stephen was a theatre publicist working in-house at the Royal Court Theatre and then for The Corner Shop PR in the West End and across the UK.  As a publicist, his clients included many of the leading West End theatre production companies.

An award-winning translator of new Italian plays.  

A member of SOLT UK Theatre and the Charity Law Association. Trustee of the Bush Theatre, and of Mercury Musical Developments.

Qualified as a Solicitor in 2018.

Advises clients on the development, production and exploitation of film, television and audio-visual content across all platforms and on a range of marketing and intellectual property matters for brands. 

Before Clintons, worked in-house at television and sports talent management agency James Grant Media, advising clients on television, format and sponsorship deals, and at mobile games studios Mind Candy, creators of the Moshi Monsters intellectual property, and NaturalMotion, developers of ultra-high-quality mobile game products and gaming technology.  

Qualified as a Solicitor in 2017.

Tara is an Associate in the Entertainment Team. She advises production companies, financiers, film and television businesses on the development, production, financing and sales/exploitation of films, television, and other audio visual content.

Prior to joining Clintons, she worked for a top five law firm in Ireland specialising in film, television, animation and documentary financing and production.

In November 2020, Tara was awarded the Diploma in Arts, Entertainment and Media Law from The Law Society of Ireland.

Dual qualified in 2017 as a Solicitor in Ireland and in England and Wales.

She is a keen yogi and an enthusiast for film, television and live music.
 

Tom is an associate in the music department, assisting on matters across the music industry.

He joined Clintons in 2021 after three years at Kobalt Music Group, where he worked on the publishing and recorded music sides of the business. Prior, he worked in artist management, at a record label, and was the booker / in-house promoter at two prominent London music venues.

He has an MA in French and attended law school in London.

Aron advises clients in relation to commercial, regulatory and criminal matters as well as assisting individuals and companies in the entertainment world.

A Blackstone Scholar at Bar School, he was called to the Bar in 2004 and since then has worked both in the entertainment industry and as a barrister.

In the entertainment industry Aron has worked as a producer and a lawyer. His production company has produced, advised on and been involved in a full range of productions including feature films, short films, major West End shows, national and international tours and Fringe shows. Aron advises clients in all of these areas and recent stage productions worked on include 9 to 5, Pretty Woman, Dear Evan Hansen and Six.

As a criminal barrister Aron advised extensively in regulatory and financial matters and was recognised repeatedly by Chambers and Partners as an up and coming ‘leading junior’. Aron practiced at Carmelite Chambers and remains a door tenant there. His full Criminal CV is on the Carmelite website.

Aron increasingly advises in relation to commercial matters with a growing practice in both the gaming and cannabis, CBD sectors. He remains uniquely qualified to advise where there is an overlap between entertainment and criminal law or where those in the media require assistance with criminal law problems and related reputation management concerns.

M.A. from the University of Edinburgh and an MSc from SOAS.

Charlie Anderson is a barrister practicing primarily within our music and litigation departments. Holding a first in molecular biology and a Thomas More scholarship from Lincoln's Inn during his law conversion, Charlie was called to the bar in 2003 and completed his pupillage at 11 South Square, a top-tier IP chambers. Already involved in the media and entertainment world as a DJ, producer and events promoter, he then joined Clintons in order to work directly with clients on IP and contract-related litigation with a music industry slant. He has since acted for clients in various high profile cases including the successful Court of Appeal action in Seal -v- Wadlow. Charlie's current practice covers all aspects of IP, including copyright, trade marks and passing off, as well as contractual matters. His advisory work includes non-contentious and semi-contentious matters within music, events and new media, including complex digital licensing and branding issues.  Charlie is a fluent French speaker. He is a lifelong surfer and spends a part of each year based in Indonesia or California.

David's firm DM Landsman & Co merged with Clintons in 1990, to establish the basis of the firm as it practices today.

David is now a Consultant to the firm and advises a number of leading figures from the world of music and entertainment. 

Gary Lux qualified as a Legal Executive in 1976 shortly after joining Clintons and is now a consultant to the Firm. He specialises in commercial litigation. He has been involved in numerous high profile court actions relating to disputes in the music industry and has acted both for recording and publishing companies, as well as artistes. In addition to his civil practice, he has represented and advised in criminal matters including high profile fraud actions. Latterly he has specialised in intellectual property matters and, in particular, issues relating to parallel trading, and the establishment of the Parallel Traders Association, to which he is the legal adviser, representing the Association in various matters both before the Trade & Industry Select Committee and before the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Having worked for HM Customs and Excise and trained in accountancy, Jeremy has nearly fifteen years’ experience in administering trusts and estates, specialising in tax and accounting matters as well as advising individuals on a range of taxation matters.  

Clients have included high net worth individuals, owners of large landed estates, non-resident individuals and companies owning UK property.  

When not dealing with the taxman, Jeremy is a church organist and singer and travels the world in pursuit of opera.

Formerly the firm's Managing Partner for many years and originally a Corporate and Commercial lawyer. Now assists the firm’s Management Committee.

BSc (Econ) from Cardiff University.

Qualified as a Solicitor in 1984, joining Clintons in 1987.

Passionate follower of Led Zeppelin, Tottenham Hotspur, Cycling and Winston Churchill.

Deals with every aspect of property law, both commercial and residential, and has extensive experience of advising clients, whether individuals, businesses, property companies or banks in all types of transactions including sales and purchases, secured lending and lettings.

Educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School, Clifton College Bristol and Trinity College Cambridge.

Closely follows the fortunes of Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

Born on 13-7-45 and educated at Central Foundation Grammar School and King's College, London, Mel was one of the first English solicitors to be regarded as a specialist sports lawyer.

He has represented footballers such as Chris Waddle, Paul Gascoigne and Alan Shearer as well as Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

Mel established the Post-Graduate Certificate in Sports Law at King's College in 1995 and still lectures in Sports Law at King's College and as a visiting professor at Coventry University. He remains an examiner on the King's College course.

He is the author of some seventeen books and a regular broadcaster on sports related matters on BBC, GMTV, Sky and Radios 4 and 5.

Mel joined Clintons in January 2005 as a Consultant, specifically to help develop and enhance the firm's expanding and well regarded sports law practice.

Mel represents and advises several Football League Clubs as well as being the legal advisor to the Football Conference.

Deals with both Commercial and Residential Property matters and has more than thirty years’ experience in mortgage security work. Also advises on insolvency related property matters.

Acts for a hotel group and recently advised on its acquisition of a Central London Hotel. Acts for a Bank on its property based loans.

Attended Christs College Grammar School, Finchley (1960 – 1967) and Queen Mary College, London University.

Runs a local malt whisky tasting group.

Robert is a solicitor who specialises in dispute resolution with a proven track record in all types of litigation particularly commercial and property disputes, acting for both Claimants and Defendants.

After training in London, Robert was admitted as a Solicitor in 1982 and then practised in Kent for many years during which he set up and managed his own firm in Tunbridge Wells. He joined Clintons in April 2011 as a Consultant solicitor after working as a Partner in a substantial City practice.

Robert also acts for commercial and individual clients in relation to international transactions and is also a Notary Public and a trained mediator.

Sarah has specialised in family law since qualifying in August 2009.

Sarah encourages solutions focused on the family as a whole, with an amicable approach in the first instance, fighting only the relevant battles to bring matters to a swift and cost effective conclusion. With experience in all aspects of family law: divorce; civil partnerships; nuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, financial and children disputes between both married and unmarried partners.

She has vast experience dealing with high net worth clients, those with complicated family structures, trust funds, companies, international considerations and jurisdictional complexities.

Away from the law Sarah is passionate about live music, sports and finding unique ways of raising money for charity.

He has over 30 years experience of diverse litigation and dispute resolution, having previously been a Partner at Clintons for 26 years. 

Tim’s breadth of experience extends to the resolution of disputes relating to trusts, partnerships, companies, property, professional negligence, family disputes and education.  Tim is particularly known for dealing with “difficult” cases whether it is his opponent or the issues that arise that are complex.  Tim enjoys real loyalty from his clients, many of whom he has represented for the entirety of his professional career.  He formerly headed Clintons, now thriving, Family Department and its contentious Employment Department. 

Tim has a Masters Degree (London LSE) in Intellectual Property Law, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Employment Law, is a qualified family mediator and a member of the Law Society’s Dispute Resolution Section.  His clientele includes artists, executives, property developers, retailers, restaurateurs. entrepreneurs, nightclub owners and musicians.  Tim is a passionate theatre goer and has a charitable involvement with Covent Garden St Paul’s (the actors’ church).
 
Some interesting moments:

Successfully resisting a client's committal to prison for contempt in circumstances where his client had broken the terms of a Court Order (Sectorguard Plc v Dienne Plc).

Successfully applying to stay a defamation claim against his client on the basis that the Claimant had suffered no loss.

Applying to the Court to commit his opposing solicitor to prison for attempting to pervert the course of justice, the solicitor having threatened Tim’s client, during the course of legal proceedings.

Margot has a number of years of experience in US immigration, having worked in practices on both sides of the pond. She works with the immigration team, assisting with a variety of US immigration and nationality matters. She works on cases that involve obtaining US visas for talent and crews in the entertainment sector, artists, sports persons, entrepreneurs and a wide spectrum of individuals relocating to the US on a temporary or permanent basis for work or for other reasons. She also assists with matters involving challenging visa refusals or findings of inadmissibility to the US, as well as various US nationality related matters.

Margot holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in French. She recently completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at City, University of London, and aspires to become a US lawyer in the future.

Originally from Belgium, Margot speaks Flemish and French. She is also fluent in Spanish. Margot loves horse riding and played on her university polo team.

Involved in advising clients on non-contentious matters, including reviewing and drafting contracts of employment, and HR policies and procedures.

Contentious work includes assisting with both Employment Tribunal and High Court claims.

Student Member of CILEx (The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives). Completed Level 6 Certificates in Employment Law and The Practice of Employment Law.

Associate Member of CIPD (The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development).
    

Assists the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Teams. An Affiliate member of CILEx.  

After reading law at the University of Sheffield, Andy, as part of his Masters in International Legal Practice, wrote a paper on global soccer groups, which included a spell at Yale Law School as a visiting researcher.

Prior to retraining as a lawyer, Andy was a respected UK-based sports broadcaster, regularly covering British football teams in the Champions League, the Olympic Games and Wimbledon, which he hosted for the largest television network in Asia.

Aged fifteen, the Radio Academy named him the industry’s Best Newcomer (on-air). More recently, he was recognised in three separate years by the Sports Journalists’ Association.

Andy has a Masters in Sports Law from his home city university, De Montfort, and has moderated sports legal seminars for Clintons and Law In Sport.

Calum has an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from the University of Leeds, and completed the Graduate Diploma in Law in 2018, followed by the Legal Practice Course in 2019.

He recently joined Clintons from the music company [PIAS], where he worked initially as legal intern and subsequently as a legal and business affairs executive.

Passionate about music, Calum runs his own record label and music event called Super Hexagon, which he started with his friends at university. He also manages several artists.

He is currently a trainee solicitor in Clintons' Private Client Department. 

Guitar player and Bob Dylan enthusiast.

Prior to training as a lawyer, Nastasja interned at several world-renowned auction houses and worked part-time at an arts investment fund, while studying International Relations (War Studies) at King's College London. She then co-founded and ran a company promoting and managing fine artists as well as organising street art events and exhibitions.

After completing the Legal Practice Course (Distinction) in 2020, she spent a year as a trainee in the corporate, sports, and commercial/IP departments of a law firm based in Switzerland, where she is originally from.

An avid mountaineer, Nastasja is also passionate about techno music and street art.

Fluent French, conversational Spanish and Italian.

Rob works in the firm's music, marketing services and corporate teams whilst completing his SQE qualification.

He has extensive commercial experience in music and fashion having worked for major and independent labels; and with start-up, independent and group organisations.

Rob has also participated in programmes with the British Fashion Council, Walpole Brands of Tomorrow, and has a Global Fashion Management MBA from Institut Français de la Mode.

Stacee received an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Development & Globalization from the University of Ottawa (Canada). She was then awarded a Senior Status Bachelor of Laws with Honours from Queen Mary University of London and completed the MA (Legal Practice Course with Business) at BPP University.

She has had a range of international legal and non-legal work experience with world-renowned organizations, including many within the media and entertainment industry. She has also worked in the public sector and had various voluntary roles with global charitable bodies.

Before her legal training, Stacee studied ballet and other forms of dance and music. She has sung in jazz clubs abroad and in London’s West End, and she particularly enjoys playing piano whenever time allows.

A non-practising offshore barrister, Stacee speaks fluent Spanish and is also a writer, having written for international publications such as The Guardian, the UK Black History Month Magazine and Catalonia Today.

Tom studied Politics at Goldsmiths College. After graduating, he worked in the sports analytics industry, and as a musician and music producer.

After converting to law in 2017, Tom completed the Graduate Diploma in Law (Distinction) and Legal Practice Course (Distinction) at the University of Law, before spending a year as a paralegal at a City firm.

Joined Clintons in September 2020.

Responsible for the supervision and management of staff, the administration and accounting function for the firm and the provision of general office accommodation and equipment.

A member of the ILCA and ILAM.