People | Jo Sanders

Jo is a Senior Associate in the Media and Information and the Litigation Practices.

She advises on a wide range of media litigation matters. She specialises in all aspects of reputation management for corporate and individual clients, including libel, privacy, misuse of confidential information and brand protection. Her work is divided between assisting clients in relation to advice prior to a threatened publication or broadcast regarding false allegations, and subsequently obtaining redress for clients about whom damaging stories have already been published. As the core of her practice is a client’s reputation, this can encompass for individual clients’ advising on threats of harassment and blackmail, or advising on preventative measures that can be taken to protect personal privacy. Such work necessarily involves discretion and, for that reason, individual clients’ cases are not referred to here. Inevitably social media also gives rise to clients’ concerns and Jo has worked to help “clean up” online material that is false or inaccurate and pursue claims against its publishers. She has substantial expertise in so-called Norwich Pharmacal applications which can aid in the identification of anonymous authors operating unlawfully on blogs and other social networking sites. She also acts for website operators in respect of claims brought against them for material made available online, including user generated content.

She also acts for film and theatre producers and publishers in relation to content clearance, particularly in the “docudrama” genre.

Her broader range of commercial experience includes advising on data protection complaints, television format rights disputes and other contractual claims. She also has experience in judicial review claims against regulatory authorities.

Jo previously worked as a journalist, and later as a media relations consultant at a leading consumer PR firm before qualifying as a Solicitor. She has a BA (Hons) from the University of York. She joined Harbottle & Lewis LLP in August 2007 and was made a Senior Associate in 2009. She is a guest lecturer at the University of Westminster on its public relations programmes.

Senior associate Jo Sanders is "an extremely effective lawyer and a very good technician." Chambers and Partners, 2012

Up-and-comer Jo Sanders "knows her stuff and is great at problem solving," clients attest. Chambers and Partners, 2011

Jo Sanders is "pragmatic and articulate – she really holds her own when dealing with complex matters." Chambers and Partners, 2010