Our team of specialist talent lawyers support models and influencers to build and develop their brand and their career in the fashion industry by offering sound, pragmatic legal advice at every step of the journey. We are known for our work advising some of the top talent in the fashion industry as well as fashion, lifestyle and luxury brands and other industry stakeholders.
The work we undertake with established models and influencers is with a view to ensuring that they are commercialising their brand and image effectively, under fair contracts, giving due consideration to protecting their intellectual property rights and reputation. For young models and their families, we recognise that starting out can be daunting and the first step is to demystify the model agency contract and ensure that everyone is moving forward with an understanding of the opportunities and the inherent risks.
With detailed knowledge of the modelling industry and expertise in advising talent more generally, we have the experience to identify where potential issues lie and our broad full-service capability is designed to ensure that you receive cost effective advice whatever your requirements. Alongside our commercial expertise (including advice on contracts with agencies and brands), we advise on reputation management issues and dealing with the media, trade marks and intellectual property matters, corporate, employment and property matters as well as dispute resolution. We also offer a full private client service in respect of any personal wealth matters, wills and trusts and family matters.
We advise on:
- Model agency contracts
- Brand endorsement and ambassador arrangements
- Advertising and marketing (including rules relating to influencer marketing)
- Employment and Immigration issues
- Reputation Management
- Trade marks and intellectual property rights
- Dispute resolution (including issues of non-payment)
- Wills, trusts and tax
Michael Lister
Partner
E: michael.lister@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Gerrard Tyrrell
Partner
E: gerrard.tyrrell@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Marian Derham
Partner
E: marian.derham@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
Rhys Llewellyn
Partner
E: rhys.llewellyn@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
May Delaney
Senior Associate
E: may.delaney@harbottle.com
T: +44 (0)20 7667 5000
We have recently partnered with the Responsible Trust for Models, an independent organisation working with all parts of the fashion industry to make the modelling industry safer and more sustainable.
Elizabeth Peyton-Jones, Founder of the Responsible Trust for Models (RTM), shared her thoughts on an educational session for models run by three of our lawyers, Michael Lister, Natasha Hibbert and Sophia Daw: “RTM approached Harbottle & Lewis to help inform young models within the fashion industry of the importance of protecting yourself contractually and the potential pitfalls of social media exposure. The models who attended were completely enthralled and open mouthed at the information they received. They have each fed back that the session made a significant difference to their lives, careers and attitude towards protecting themselves. I could not be more thankful for the kindness and professionalism of the team.”
Clients
Client Michelle Wright said:
“Michael Lister and Sophia Daw at Harbottle & Lewis continue to offer us a professional, personable and first class legal service. They have helped us to negotiate and secure a new model agreement for my teenaged daughter with an international agency.
“Throughout the agreement process Michael and Sophia were meticulous in going through the details with us and explained the legal jargon in plain English to ensure we knew what each clause meant – they advised us of possible options to consider.
“They’ve truly been amazing and as a result all parties involved are happy with the end result.”
