Simons Muirhead Burton LLP crowned “Law Firm of the Year” at the 2020 Music Week Awards

Led by Richard Baskind, SMB’s music practice was founded nine years ago and recently expanded following a number of key hires. Working alongside Richard, the team currently consists of Alasdair George, Anthony Orum, Damien Yare, Elinor Gibson, Fiona McGugan, Fran Pankhurst, Helen Ashcroft, Jonny Petch and Zack Gold.

The prestigious Music Week award recognises SMB’s achievements in 2019, and our involvement in a series of high-profile deals on behalf of clients including First Access Entertainment, Good Soldier Songs / Good Soldier Records, Primary Talent, B-Unique,  Guy Chambers and Fred Berger.

Overall, the team grew our business by 45% and enabled SMB’s music clients to capitalise from our other areas of expertise across film, TV, digital, fashion and property.

Richard Baskind, Partner & Head of Music, Simons Muirhead Burton:

“I’m absolutely delighted the hard work of our music team has been recognised by Music Week. 2019 was a great year for us, and I feel that the comprehensive service proposition we can offer is genuinely unique, enabling music creatives and executives to expand their horizons and take advantage of new business opportunities. That flexibility has become even more vital in 2020, and I’m immensely proud of how the team has responded to the stresses of a global pandemic and continued to support SMB’s client base.”

In July this year, Richard was named in US publication Billboard’s 2020 list of Top Music Industry Lawyers, with specific commendation for SMB’s work for Primary Talent on the sale of its business to ICM Partners.