Our Music team has substantial expertise in advising clients in the music industry. We advise artists, song-writers and producers on all aspects of their careers, and industry executives on their executive packages. We also work closely with labels, publishers and international music companies on their commercial and corporate activities.
Our team has substantial industry experience and provides practical and cutting edge legal advice on all areas that impact those in the music business.
We also have a specialist music litigation team who can advise on infringement claims, recover royalties or deal with highly sensitive reputation management issues.
We advise a wide variety of recording artists, from emerging talent to stadium acts and across all musical genres. These regularly include the following, all of which will be structured and negotiated to fit a particular artist’s needs:
We advise songwriters on their particular needs which are often different to those of the recording artist. Our songwriter clients range from new writers finding their way to some of the most globally successful in the industry. We also regularly advise on catalogue sales and restructures.
We represent a variety of producers and mixers in respect of both their producer/mixer services and their song writing services, where relevant. We also provide advice in respect of the corporate organisation and commercial structuring for production companies – something a number of producers are now looking to operate.
We represent many highly successful music managers and their business operations – from independent managers to large management companies. The needs of each of our clients are individual and specific and sometimes overlap with other business models. We structure every arrangement bespoke to match the particular needs of the relevant client.
We work hand in hand with our Employment team to represent music industry executives in respect of their employment and consultancy arrangements. Our clients range from junior A&R managers making their first waves in the industry to senior management at major record companies and publishers, and in each case we help to guide them on their negotiations with their current employers and/or prospective employers, as well as providing valuable insight on career progression within the music and wider creative industries.
We advise a wide variety of business clients – in particular independent record labels and publishers – with respect to their corporate and commercial activities throughout the music and wider entertainment industries. Depending upon the particular client’s activities these regularly include:
We also provide a day to day business affairs service to some of the most successful independent labels and publishers, dealing with all their legal and business affairs needs.
We have specialist expertise in advising clients in the music industry on dealing with disputes, enforcing their rights in the courts and recovering sums due to them.
These range from pursuing those who infringe an artist’s or a songwriter’s rights, or refuse to pay royalties, to taking action against counterfeiters or handling disputes between band members (or ex-band members).
We have industry knowledge and a strong international network of lawyers in other jurisdictions with whom we work closely on international claims.
“Simons Muirhead Burton have a good, solid, reliable team with a full understanding of legal issues and business realities.” Chambers and Partners, 2023
“They have been excellent and completely essential. They are always available and excellent at communicating.” Chambers and Partners, 2023
“They have a strong skill set in every category and always move quickly.” Chambers and Partners, 2023
“They are commercially minded, genuinely care about their clients and protect their interests for the long term.” Chambers and Partners, 2022
“extremely efficient in every aspect and always looks at the matter from every angle.” Chambers and Partners, 2022
“They cut to the heart of the commercial essence of the deal and are creative in their structuring, problem-solving and deal-making.” Chambers and Partners, 2021
“They are engaging, approachable and determined.” Chambers and Partners, 2020
“SMB have been among the very best we’ve worked with, not least because they try to work with the author to bring their words through, rather than needlessly overcomplicating matters.” Chambers and Partners, 2020
‘SMB is a small, tight-knit team of music and entertainment attorneys. The two partners have been there for years, while the associates have a wealth of experience from different companies and specialties within the business. SMB provides top-level advice and is always commercially conscious on behalf of its clients. As a small team, each client knows exactly what they are getting on each transaction.’
Legal 500, 2025‘I’ve worked with various entertainment law firms in the UK and feel Simons Muirhead Burton is a step above the rest. The team is always available and responsive, and covers all areas of the music business – which is what I deal with them on in particular. I have worked with them on everything, from executive contracts to commercial terms on artist contracts and litigation. They have always delivered exceptional service.’
Legal 500, 2025‘The team understands the business and the characters that make up the business. They have a wealth of experience.’
Legal 500, 2025‘The best attorneys in the music business provide the following: excellent deal/contract negotiation skills, commercial knowledge and consciousness, and lastly great advice. It is the third point, the great advice, that makes SMB stand out. Richard Baskind and Alasdair George are second to none in terms of the quality of the advice they provide. The two complement each other perfectly. This is what keeps me coming back to SMB.’
Legal 500, 2025“Simons Muirhead Burton take a very pragmatic, hands-on approach. They always meet a challenge head on.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025“Simons Muirhead Burton has so many talented lawyers there.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025“They provide solution-minded thinking and interaction with both clients and counterparties.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025“I have absolute faith in their advice and their understanding of legal and commercial nuance. Everyone I have encountered at SMB has been thoroughly impressive.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025“The team feels very much a part of our company. They have helped to build, shape and grow the company. They are prepared to push the boundaries and support and fight for writers and artists.”
Chambers and Partners, 2025“They approach everything with a problem-solving attitude rather than being a roadblock to getting deals done.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
“Their knowledge of the industry, especially the business side, is very useful.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024“They show good acumen when it comes to protecting their clients’ interests. They have a large team with broad specialism which allows them to confidently advise on all matters relating to media law.”
Chambers and Partners, 2024
SMB’s Music team is pleased to extend its congratulations to its clients who have been nominated in the Music Business UK Awards.
Read moreBillboard have announced their Top Music Lawyers for 2024 and we are delighted that Partner, Alasdair George, and Head of our Music department, Richard Baskind, have been included on the list.
Read moreAnthony Orum has congratulated his clients, The Sugababes, after the iconic British trio were bestowed the Impact Award at this years’s MOBO awards, underlining the… Read more