Joanna Stephenson

Joanna is a commercial lawyer with a broad practice across the creative, media and entertainment sectors. She advises businesses and individuals operating in music, technology, theatre, fashion, publishing and photography, as well as clients across a wide range of commercial industries.

She has extensive experience advising private limited companies and partnerships, particularly those operating in the creative and media sectors. Her work includes advising on business structures, commercial contracts, branding and marketing, as well as corporate transactions, including share and asset sales and acquisitions. Joanna also has particular expertise in undertaking specialist pre-sale due diligence for music-related assets.

Joanna works closely with performers, composers and artists, helping them protect their creative works and secure income streams from their rights. She also advises on matters relating to estates and family interests where creative rights and royalty income form part of an individual's assets.

Joanna's career has combined private practice and commercial advisory experience within the music and creative industries. Following her training and early career at Davenport Lyons, she worked as a freelance business affairs adviser to a number of independent music publishing companies and record labels, developing expertise in commercial licensing and global rights clearances. Prior to joining Level, she was a partner at James Ware Stephenson, advising clients across the creative, media and entertainment sectors.