Giles George is a boutique firm with a core focus on reputational risk. Founded and led by Rebekah Giles and Patrick George, the team is regularly instructed in defamation matters, public authority investigations and intellectual property disputes.

Ashurst is a market leader in defamation, media regulation, copyright, advertising, and content liability. The team is led from Sydney by Anita Cade, who advises on major content licensing and regulatory matters across media, digital platforms, and sports rights. Imogen Loxton is well regarded for the depth of her expertise in media compliance, and Nick Perkins is a seasoned litigator in cybersecurity cases. Maria Sun was recently promoted to partner, while both Lisa Ritson and Robert Todd, trusted litigators with extensive experience in defamation and technology disputes, retired from the partnership and now continue with the team as consultants.

Johnson Winter Slattery is a market leader in defamation defence, offering pre-publication advice and broader media law support. Kevin Lynch leads the team from Sydney, regularly advising on brand protection, trademarks, privacy, legislative restrictions, and broadcast regulation. Sophie Dawson, who joined from Bird & Bird in 2024, is a key contact for media clients on pre-publication guidance, defamation, and copyright disputes.

MinterEllison’s media and entertainment practice is a market leader, advising on defamation, content disputes, copyright, and licensing matters. Melbourne-based Peter Bartlett heads the team, focusing on publication risks and defending media clients in both domestic and international claims. Patrick Considine is a key media litigation and dispute resolution specialist. David Poulton retired in 2024.

Thomson Geer’s national media law team specialises in defamation and a broad range of media disputes, from claims of misleading or deceptive conduct and breach of confidence to cases involving contempt, FOI, copyright, and protections for journalists. The team is co-led by Justin Quill, a leading media law advisor on pre-publication issues and vilification claims, and John-Paul Cashen, recognised for his expertise in privilege, FOI, and journalist source protection cases - both of whom are based in Melbourne - alongside Sydney-based Marlia Saunders, a skilled litigator. Sophie Meixner supports the team, drawing on her background in journalism. The practice was further bolstered by the addition of Joel Parsons, who joined the team from Clayton Utz in June 2025.

Allens’ media and entertainment team advises on broadcasting rights, media regulation and content issues for emerging media companies. Gavin Smith leads the practice from Sydney, with a focus on digital infrastructure projects, including telecom networks, tower operations, and data centre developments, while Kylie Brown is recommended for her corporate, commercial, and licensing expertise.

Baker McKenzie LLP’s media practice handles defamation cases, digital content deals, regulatory guidance, and media-related disputes. The team is led by Sydney-based Andrew Stewart, a specialist in copyright, defamation, and media regulation. Adrian Lawrence advises on data, cybersecurity, and online compliance issues, while Nicholas Kraegen frequently represents clients in the Copyright Tribunal and anti-piracy proceedings. Allison Manvell further supports the team, focusing on broadcasting, technology, and content licensing across digital and traditional platforms.

Banki Haddock Fiora’s team is a trusted adviser on defamation and media law, handling high-stakes litigation and offering pre-publication guidance to leading media companies, universities, publishers, broadcasters, and digital platforms. Leanne Norman leads the team in Sydney, bringing deep expertise in defamation matters to the table, while Alasdair Doctor is recognised for his strong track record in matters involving reporting restrictions, confidentiality, and intellectual property. Dougal Hurley, who joined from MinterEllison in 2024, further strengthens the team’s capabilities.

Clayton Utz’s TMT team advises on content deals, M&A, multi-platform sports and broadcasting rights, advertising clearance, and disputes including defamation and reputational matters. Timothy Webb leads the practice in Sydney and is a seasoned disputes specialist. Walid Sukari is highly regarded for his work in sports media rights, while Akmal Chunara is the go-to for sporting organisations and broadcasters negotiating media agreements.

Gilbert + Tobin’s media team covers the full spectrum of issues in the sector, from programmatic advertising and social media law to content licensing, digital rights, privacy, media financing, M&A, and broadcasting matters. Michael Williams, a respected entertainment content specialist and go-to litigator for disputes over contracts and business structures, leads the team from Sydney. Rebecca Dunn is recognised for her work on high-profile defamation and regulatory matters.

Addisons maintains a strong reputation in the media sector, with particular strength in pre-publication issues and litigation. The team is equally active in the gambling and sports industries, where it advises on the full spectrum of regulatory frameworks. Leadership of the Sydney-based team is shared by Justine Munsie, a trusted adviser on content, branding and reputation matters, and Jamie Nettleton, a go-to figure for gaming machine manufacturers, gambling operators and casinos.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth works with broadcast and digital media clients across Australia and globally. The team is led from Sydney by James North, a trusted adviser involved in major corporate deals, regulatory investigations, digital streaming launches, disputes, defamation cases, marketing compliance, and privacy and law reform initiatives. Eugenia Kolivos is highly regarded for advising new market entrants on collateral clearance, consumer law, trade promotions, product and service rollouts, and intellectual property strategy.

Hall & Wilcox is recognised for its strength in the sports and entertainment sectors, advising on major deals, litigation, governance, and strategic matters. Martin Ross heads the team in Melbourne and is known for handling high-profile, complex transactions and disputes, including sponsorship deals, sports-related M&A, and regulatory compliance issues. James Deady specialises in technology procurement, privacy, data security, and intellectual property, while Mark Lebbon focuses on media rights agreements and the commercialisation of sporting events.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP’s media and entertainment practice handles complex matters across copyright, trademarks, broadcasting, sponsorship, publishing, and broader content rights issues. The team is co-led from Sydney by Kristin Stammer, who guides clients through brand and data licensing matters across traditional and digital platforms, and Kwok Tang, who advises on technology convergence, with a particular focus on live sports streaming and emerging media formats.

Kennedys is a strong choice to act for both insurers and plaintiffs in the media and entertainment sectors, led by Sydney-based Nathan Buck, a well-regarded defamation specialist. His practice includes advising on the removal of defamatory content across major platforms, handling injurious falsehood claims and providing crisis management support.

Simpsons Solicitors provides comprehensive advice across film and TV matters, from local production setup and financing to securing federal and state incentives, as well as supporting artists, publishers, developers, and distributors. The practice is jointly led from Sydney by Adam Simpson, who is well known for media litigation and commercial work; Jules Munro, an intellectual property and copyright specialist in the media and entertainment sphere; and Mark Bamford, who advises on finance, asset structuring, and security in relation to film and TV.