ALISTAIR DAVIS

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Founder • Media & Business Affairs Expert • Industry Advisor​

Alistair is a senior media and entertainment lawyer with two decades of experience advising creators, broadcasters, global brands and production companies. As founder of Lead Counsel, he provides a modern, accessible legal service that meets the needs of today’s creative industries.

He also runs Verseworks, a music tech AI start up and writes on leadership, culture and the creator economy at Get On The Balcony.com.

Follow Alistair on Instagram: @TheMediaLawyerUK

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Expert Media & Business Affairs Without the Complexity of a Big Firm

Lead Counsel is a boutique legal and business affairs consultancy providing clear, practical advice to creators, production companies and digital media businesses across the UK.

Founded by Alistair Davis, a senior lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in media, entertainment, technology and consumer goods Lead Counsel exists to make legal support simple, fast and commercially useful.

From brand deals to production legal, from rights and IP protection to AI-driven content issues, we help clients move with confidence in a fast-changing creative landscape.

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WHY CLIENTS CHOOSE LEAD COUNSEL

1. Senior Experience

Alistair has held leadership roles across some of the world’s most respected organisations, including:

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Television:

• BBC - Senior Executive 

• Tinopolis Group – Head of Legal & Business Affairs

• E1 Series (Global Sports Rights Holder) – Legal Director

• Former board member of PACT

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Music & Sport

Lawyer for leading top ten music artists and leading reggae artists

Lawyer for music publishing companies

Lawyer for former UK world championship boxers

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Tech & Commercial

Tech start up - Legal advisor 

Procter & Gamble – Senior Lawyer

Berkley Homes Plc - Senior Lawyer

John Lewis Plc - Senior Consultant 

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This means you get big firm legals and strategic expertise with boutique firm speed and flexibility.

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2. A Boutique Built for Today’s Creative Economy

Traditional legal services can be slow, expensive and inaccessible.
Lead Counsel is different.

We offer:

• fixed-fee contract reviews and legal packages

• fast turnaround times

• plain-English explanations

• practical advice focused on outcomes, not jargon

Whether you’re a creator, a producer or a digital agency, you get clarity you can act on immediately.

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3. Deep Knowledge of Media, IP and Digital Content

We specialise exclusively in:

• Media & entertainment law

• Business affairs for TV, film , music and digital content

• Rights management and IP protection

• Marketing, advertising and influencer agreements

• AI-related content, licensing and risk

• Music rights and sync licensing

• Creator brand deals and content monetisation

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4. Flexible Support for Every Stage of Your Project

Clients come to Lead Counsel for:

• Creator contract reviews

• Brand deal negotiations

• Production legal packs

• Chain-of-title and rights clearance

• Development and commissioning support

• Agreements for cast, crew and contributors

• Digital content licensing and usage rights

• Business affairs outsourcing on a retainer basis

Whatever your need, we offer the level of support that fits your requirements and budget.

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5. A Legal Partner Who Understands Both Creativity and Commercial Reality

Alistair’s background spans:

• scripted & unscripted TV

• sports rights

• music 

• global brand advertising

• digital content & platform strategy

• tech, AI and music licensing

This mix ensures your agreements protect your creativity and make commercial sense.

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6. Access to Finance

We can assist with access to finance for certain television, music and IP products for which we charge a standard broker fee.

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