With clients such as Google, Reddit, Pinterest, Twitter and Take-Two Interactive turning to Baker McKenzie, the team has a first-class reputation in the digital content and social media arena. Solicitor advocate Ben Allgrove anchors the regulatory and IP litigation offering, with particular expertise in intermediary liability and online content distribution and regulation; his experience includes representing clients in both the Copyright Tribunal and the High Court. Allgrove heads up the practice alongside William Holder, whose extensive transactional capabilities cover acquisitions and disposals, consortium arrangements, IPOs, venture capital investments, corporate structurings and reorganisations, among others. Other recommended individuals include Nadia Banno, an essential contact for reputation management, and John Groom, who was promoted to partner in July 2022.

With advertising and brand protection expert Paul Jordan at the helm, Bristows LLP is the first port of call to an extensive number of computer game and social media giants. The team’s varied workload includes advice pertaining to IP protection and infringement, advertising and marketing, compliance, data protection, competition law and commercial contracts. Simon Clark is also recommended for his recent involvement in copyright litigations of international significance.

In the digital sphere, CMS regularly advises on the regulatory aspects of the provision of streaming services and the protection of rights online. John Enser provides commercial, regulatory and IP support to clients offering audio and audio-visual content via digital platforms, as well as platform operators. Other individuals of note include broadcasting head Selina Potter for her commercial advice, and Victoria Gaskell whose expertise further spans transactional matters for the likes of production companies, distributors, platforms and channels, as well as brands and advertisers.

Osborne Clarke LLP advises a number of household name clients on strategic projects, digital issues and regulation, led by a strong bench of talent including John Davidson-Kelly, who leads the firm's media and entertainment group and digital regulation initiative. Digital media and tech specialist Ben Dunham is another key name, while associate director Chloe Deng has an impressive track record of work for big social media clients.

RPC‘s comprehensive client roster – including major social media platforms and digital content publishers – benefits from the firm’s broader expertise in media, data protection, commercial, advertising, IP and litigation. Practice head Oliver Bray specialises in advertising and is a regular advisor to platform-based tech giants such as Meta (including all of its platforms) and Google; his workload further spans ecommerce, AdTech and regulatory investigations. Other recommended individuals include renowned media litigator Rupert Cowper-Coles, who represents a number of leading tech organisations and digital publishers, and data protection expert Jon Bartley.

Key names at Bird & Bird LLP include social media head Bryony Hurst, a litigation partner with an impressive track record of work for a raft of household name clients.

Deloitte Legal's tech-focused group serves a diverse client base, from global media giants to digital start-ups across the interactive entertainment and content production sectors, including multinational games publishers, platforms, IP owners and tech service providers. An area of particular strength is internet regulation, where Joanna Conway is noted for her digital content risk and online harm expertise, while Paul Garland provides strategic IP advice to tech companies as well as the protection and enforcement of IP rights. Commercial expert Calum Murray is also recommended.

Hayley Brady heads up Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s media and digital practice in the UK, and as co-head of the firm’s global media group, is well-placed to assist major players across various industries on matters pertaining to content licensing and distribution, strategic partnerships, gaming and gambling, as well as advertising and sponsorships. Stephen Wilkinson is also recommended in the digital media and interactive content space.

Sports boutique Onside Law LLP is best known for operating at the intersection between sports and media, with a particular strength in advising Web3 and NFT companies within the digital sports market, as well as sports governing bodies, clubs and rights-holders. Adam Leadercramer's expertise can be seen in advertising matters and live sports television production contracts; he heads up the practice alongside James Tobias, who handles the acquisition, production, licensing and exploitation of audiovisual content on traditional and digital media platforms. Recent team promotions include Tobias to partner in September 2022, and Roisín Cregan to senior associate in October 2022.

Sheridans provides the full breadth of interactive entertainment advice, with regular instructions from independent developers and big-name publishers, as well as esports teams, streamers and influencers, across a range of commercial, data, tax and IP issues. Jamie Smith and Alex Tutty jointly head up the practice, which continues to excel in innovative areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), VR/XR, Web3 and NFTs. Andrew Bravin is praised for his involvement in high-profile disputes and investment deals across the fashion space.

Ed Baden-Powell heads up Simkins LLP‘s digital practice and is noted for his extensive experience handling commercial contracts and IP matters, with particular expertise in high-value services agreements, as well as brand protection and rights exploitation arrangements. The team, which also includes music and advertising expert Nick Eziefula, acts for both corporate and individual clients and has enjoyed a notable uptick in work stemming from the burgeoning NFT landscape.

Much of Taylor Wessing LLP's digital content and social media work sits within the firm's notable copyright practice, where the team is a regular advisor to platform-based tech companies and content owners, as well as social networks and e-commerce providers. Practice head Adam Rendle supports companies through the entire lifecycle of their media assets, from corporate transactions and content licensing to high-profile litigation; he is also well-equipped to advise on advertising regulation and sponsorship agreements. Senior associate Oz Watson and senior counsel Xuyang Zhu are also recommended.

Browne Jacobson LLP's team of IP litigation experts continues to receive regular instructions in the digital content and social media space, such that global branding giants including Dior and Iconic London have called upon them to assist with advertising and influencer matters. National IP head Declan Cushley fronts the practice, which also includes Giles Parsons; both are well-equipped to manage IP portfolios and negotiate high-value research and development agreements. The group have noted an uptick in the automotive, education, energy and aviation sectors.

Boutique firm Hansel Henson is known for its exclusive focus on digital media and IP. Thomas Henson acts for clients seeking to monetise their content and services through television, Web2 and Web3, and mobile and games consoles; he co-founded the firm alongside David Hansel, an expert in matters concerning convergent technologies and digital advertising. Sarah Wells handles contractual mandates involving app development, marketing, social media influencers, software licensing and other commercial agreements.

William Grace‘s tech practice handles both contentious and non-contentious matters pertaining to digital media. With Carolyn Burbridge at the helm, the team has developed a specialism in the area, advising leading providers of crypto and digital asset data, as well as other prominent early-stage companies and individuals. Other recommended individuals include Alastair Shaw, who handles contractual work and disputes for hi-tech clients, and Claudia Vincenzi, an expert in ecommerce.