Level recognised as top ranking media, entertainment and sport law firm by Legal 500

Level has once again been recognised for its excellence and secured even more top-tier rankings in the latest edition of The Legal 500 (Legalease).

A first for Level, this year we have been ranked Tier 2 for Music, and Tier 3 for Film & TV, and broken into Tier 4 for Employment – Senior Executives. We've also successfully upheld our Tier 2 position in Sport.

But that's not all! It is the extraordinary individuals who make Level what it is, and this year a record 10 partners have been ranked and overall 22 partners have been acknowledged for work in their respective sectors.

Hall of Fame: Morris Bentata

Leading Individuals: Dan Lowen, John Reid, Jody Macdonald, Sofia Moussaoui

Next Generation Partner: Liz Coley, Tim Lowles, Rowena Samarasinhe, Halina Wielogorska, Jenny Parker, Rachael Somerset

Other noted lawyers: Dan Harrington; Fraser Reid, Tony Morris, Alastair Campbell, Mark Ashelford, Victoria Evans, Irving David, Rochelle Winn, Jodie Seddon

Legal 500 notes:

TMT (TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA AND TELECOMS) > SPORT TIER 2

"A diverse range of clients turn to Level for its ‘professional and knowledgeable' approach across a host of sports law mandates. Morris Bentata is a key contact for sports media rights holders across football, basketball and horseracing, advising on production, commercial agreements, and digital licenses for major sporting competitions. Daniel Lowen and Liz Coley work with a number footballers, agents and agencies on contract renewals, transfers and contentious issues - including breaches of contracts and FA intermediary regulations. Beyond football, Lowen works with elite athletes across a number of sports who require advice on media rights, sponsorships and contractual issues, while Coley is noted for her experience in all manner of employment disputes. Tim Lowles focuses on litigation concerning media rights agencies and competition rights holders as well as disputes between governing bodies and its sponsors, most recently in the NFT space. Rowena Samarasinhe remains a key name to note, particularly for Olympic sports, while Victoria Evans' expertise covers the contracting of professional golfers and tournament arrangements. The team has deepened its bench strength with the autumn 2022 arrivals of Jodie Seddon and John Reid from gunnercooke LLP and Russells Solicitors, respectively. Seddon, in particular, is noted for her work on anti-doping and safeguarding matters in basketball, hockey and equestrian sports. Fraser Reid, Dan Harrington and Alastair Campbell are further key members of the team."

Client Testimonials

‘We have worked with Level Law for over ten years now. Their collective knowledge of the sports industry is absolutely vital to our business, and they are always our first point of call when we need legal services. The team at Level Law are not only professional and knowledgeable, they are all extremely personable and as such, always a pleasure to deal with.’

‘We primarily work with Dan Lowen and would not hesitate to recommend his services. Dan’s industry expertise and experience is invaluable to us a company. We have complete confidence in his advice, judgement and ability to manage any situation on our behalf.’

‘No matter the time or situation, Level will do their very best to promptly attend to any matter.’

‘Liz Coley will go above and beyond to help. Furthermore, she is extremely thorough and provides a service that is extremely high quality and detailed. She has my full trust, and I know our organization is indebted to Level and Liz for their brilliant work over the years.’

‘Level Law has very significant expertise in media rights, which combined with strong commercial outlook, makes for a great a legal service provision.’

‘Dan Harrington is arguably the best sports media rights lawyer in the UK. Tom Lowles is a high-class litigation lawyer.’

Key clients

• FIFA
• AFC
• UEFA
• DAZN
• CAA11
• Pitch
• Atalanta
• Astro

TMT (TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA AND TELECOMS) > MEDIA: MUSIC TIER 2

Level‘s presence in the music sector has recently been boosted with the additions of experienced litigator John Reid and digital and social media expert Mark Ashelford, both of whom joined from Russells Solicitors. Raffaella De Santis specialises in digital music in the growing spheres of artificial intelligence (AI) and the metaverse; she handles recording, publishing, management, live performance and touring agreements, as well as digital licensing, podcasts and live streaming matters. The commercially focused Halina Wielogorska advises leading artists and entrepreneurs on all aspects of their prospective careers.

Client Testimonials

‘Raffaella de Santis is conscientious, pragmatic, and is able to turn agreements around to tight deadlines. It makes a big difference knowing that she understands the commercial realities of certain situations and can give focused and practical advice.’

‘The team is exceptionally able, willing and personable when it comes to all aspects of their practice. They operate well as a team and are always available to offer valuable insight and perspectives when it comes to new areas of law.’

‘As a team I cannot rate them highly enough.’

‘I cannot praise Halina Wielogorska highly enough for her professionalism and willingness to tackle the new legal challenges created by emerging technologies. She oprates in an enthusiastic, proactive and innovative manner, drawing on years of experience working in more the more traditional music and entertainment space.’

Key clients

• Morrissey
• Dylan Mills (Dizzee Rascal)
• YourWorld HoldingS
• Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Arcadia
• SiFi Productions
• Warner Music Entertainment
• Never Never Productions

TMT (TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA AND TELECOMS) > MEDIA: FILM&TV TIER 3

Level‘s film and television offering includes Jennifer Parker, who advises on the development, production, financing and exploitation of audiovisual content across all platforms, and Tony Morris, an expert on contractual, commercial and IP matters. Seasoned litigator Tim Lowles is a regular port of call for media rights holders in contractual disputes and is also geared to provide reputation management advice to the firm’s high-profile roster of talent.

Client Testimonials

‘The team are exceptionally able, willing and personable when it comes to all aspects of their practice. They operate well as a team and are always available to offer valuable insight and perspectives when it comes to new areas of film and television.’

‘As a team I cannot rate them highly enough.’

‘I cannot praise Halina Wielogorska highly enough for her professionalism and willingness to tackle new legal challenges created by emerging technologies. She operates in an enthusiastic, proactive and innovative manner, drawing on years of experience working in the more traditional entertainment sector.’

‘There is a broad and complementary team and we are already connecting with the wider group to support our needs as a business.’

‘Tony Morris is a unique talent. He is vastly experienced in small to medium-sized film productions and has the personality and expertise to help his clients navigate those tricky deals.’

‘True specialism in the screen sector – this was clear from the outset.’

Key clients

• Ditto Films Limited
• Snafu Pictures Ltd
• RDA Television LLP
• Blink
• Global Fan Network
• Alma
• Genesius Pictures Limited
• YourWorld Holdings
• FIFA, AFC, UEFA, DAZN, CAA11, Pitch, Atalanta and Astro
• Birmingham Royal Ballet

EMPLOYMENT > SENIOR EXECUTIVES TIER 4

Level fields a team of 'senior heavyweight specialists' who are well versed in representing senior executives, particularly those operating within the TV and film sector. The team is jointly headed up by Elizabeth Johnson and John Reid, who handle contentious departures and arrivals, assist with employment contract negotiations, and advise on reputation management issues. The team also acts in discrimination cases pertaining to neurodiversity.

Client Testimonials

‘Elizabeth Johnson stands out in the team. She understands issues and objectives as if they are her own and she can disentangle and simplify complicated matters with ease. A calm, knowledgeable and smart employment lawyer who is a tenacious negotiator with attention to detail.’

‘John Reid has had a thriving senior executive practice for decades. He is focused, commercial and dedicated.’

‘The employment practice has a solid and impressive team of senior heavyweight specialists as well as sharp juniors and supportive assistants. Together they provide a seamless operation and efficient service.’

‘Elizabeth Johnson is exceptional, professional and incredibly commercially astute. She is able to put clients immediately at ease and understand their objectives. She provides fast, pragmatic and sensible advice and is very impressive from start to finish.’