Hamlins LLP

Hamlins is a commercial law firm with over 100 years of establishment, specialising in media, music, sport, real estate, retail, leisure, and technology. Recognised as a “big small firm” by its clients, the firm works with industry-leading companies, institutions, and prominent brands, delivering service noted for expertise, responsiveness, team ethos, and a collaborative approach.

The firm provides comprehensive legal support across real estate, corporate, finance, commercial, intellectual property, media and entertainment, commercial disputes, employment, reputation and privacy, and regulatory compliance. Hamlins maintains longstanding relationships with a diverse client base, ranging from large institutions and corporates to SMEs and entrepreneurs. Its growth has aligned with client needs, establishing Hamlins as a top 200 UK law firm.

Hamlins’ banking and finance team advises senior and mezzanine lenders and borrowers on financing transactions, with particular expertise in real estate finance. The commercial team handles general commercial contracts, technology contracts, distribution arrangements, franchising, and outsourcing. Corporate services include M&A, corporate finance, equity capital markets, joint ventures, debt finance, and commercial agreements.

The commercial disputes team manages a wide range of disputes, including cross-border litigation and advocacy, acting for public and private companies and individuals on high-profile, high-value matters. The employment team provides guidance on all aspects of employment law, supporting issues throughout the employment life cycle, from recruitment to redundancies, performance dismissals, and executive exits.

Hamlins’ intellectual property team advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters, including copyright, trade marks, licensing, franchising, IP structuring, and cross-border anti-piracy issues. The media and entertainment team is internationally recognised for media contracts, rights acquisition and protection, defamation and reputation management, production, publishing, recording, and digital media law.

The real estate team acts on investment, development, and construction matters for a broad client base, including investors, property companies, funds, banks, entrepreneurs, retailers, and restaurants, with expertise in real estate disputes and finance. Real estate disputes are approached pragmatically, combining advisory, dispute resolution, and litigious strategies.

The firm’s reputation management practice is widely recognised for expertise in high-profile defamation and privacy cases, supporting clients facing reputational damage and protecting against the publication of intrusive or harmful information. Hamlins also offers specialised legal services in sport, combining commercial, IP, corporate, regulatory, privacy, and reputation management expertise across disciplines such as football, rugby, tennis, motorsport, cricket, triathlon, golf, rowing, sailing, eSports, and online fan engagement. The firm is frequently consulted for strategic advice and the structuring and launch of new sports events and initiatives.

Staffing Figures

• Partners: 20
• Other Fee Earners (including paralegals): 41
• Total Staff: 90