Legal eagles swoop into media and entertainment

Global legal firm Dorsey & Whitney are set to launch a new service designed to offer major benefits to the international media and entertainment industry.
The London-based Creative Industries Group brings together lawyers from across the globe with a proven track record of success dealing with the legal pitfalls constantly facing those in the key entertainment industries of film, television, publishing, music, video and DVD, media finance and distribution.
The firm can also offer lawyers with expertise in dealing with other legal issues for that particular sector, such as corporate finance, tax planning and real estate.
This new global service provides entertainment clients with access to a pooled resource across many disciplines that are tailored to the specific needs of this sector.
Yet the Group’s umbrella nature means that clients of the new service can also seek top lawyers in the related ‘creative’ industries of advertising, fashion, design, celebrities and sport.
Victoria Lockley has been brought into Dorsey & Whitney's London office to lead the new venture alongside London Managing Partner John Byrne and Robert Wessely and Helene Freeman in New York.
Ms Lockley, who specialises in intellectual property, media and entertainment, said: "I am delighted to be joining a firm with a strong presence in the entertainment industries of Europe, the United States and Asia. The prospect of bringing the various strands of the industry together through the formation of this new group is an exciting opportunity.
"We will offer a service which is client focused and therefore tailor-made to meet the challenges facing this industry rather than simply pigeon holing clients into areas of law."
The Group’s lawyers specialise in areas as diverse as intellectual property, corporate acquisition, financing and tax planning to provide advice on a comprehensive range of legal and commercial issues, including: media finance, taxation and insurance; licensing and distribution; rights acquisitions and sales; strategic brand acquisition, development, exploitation and protection; merchandising; and advertising and sponsorship.
John Byrne said: "We felt there was a gap in the services offered by traditional law firms to this sector - and we wanted to fill it. Victoria brings a great deal of expertise to the group, strengthening our offering, and we are delighted to have her on board."
Dorsey & Whitney, www.dorseylaw.com
(GMcG)