Lee & Thompson LLP

Overview

Lee & Thompson is a London-based media, entertainment and technology law firm founded in 1983. The firm specialises in advising storytellers, creators, production companies, agencies, brands and investors across film, television, music, videogames, theatre, advertising, fashion & beauty, live events and publishing, combining sector-focused legal expertise with commercial pragmatism. It offers cross-discipline legal services (commercial, corporate, IP, dispute resolution, employment and immigration) and positions itself as a trusted long-term adviser to both creative talent and industry businesses, with an emphasis on practical, industry-aware solutions that reflect how clients’ sectors operate.

• Headquarters: London, 80 Charlotte Street / 71 Whitfield Street (event entrance)
• Founded: 1983
• Offices: 1

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Media & Entertainment
• Corporate & M&A
• Commercial Contracts
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Immigration
• Intellectual Property
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Fashion Law
• Sports Law

Geographic Focus: London-headquartered firm with a global client base in the creative industries. L&T advises on UK and international co-productions, cross-border distribution and finance, and works with a network of international partner firms to provide tailored multi-jurisdictional advice for campaigns, productions and media transactions. The firm frequently engages with UK public funders, international studios, broadcasters and industry bodies.

Training Contract

Funded three-year training programme run in collaboration with the College of Legal Practice. Year one comprises 40 weeks of preparation training and SQE1 preparation; after SQE1 trainees complete three 6-month seats while studying for SQE2 and receive a further 40 weeks of preparation training. During SQE study periods trainees work four days and have one protected study day per week. Trainees receive coaching and support to build a qualifying work experience portfolio.

• Academic Requirements: Applicants must have graduated and attained a 2.1 degree in Law OR graduated and attained a 2.1 degree in another subject and completed the law conversion (GDL or the equivalent) by time of joining. The firm will consider extenuating circumstances where appropriate.
• Application Deadline: 3rd April 2026

Seat Options

• Film/TV
• Music
• Corporate
• Commercial
• Litigation
• Employment

SQE Support

The training programme is integrated with the College of Legal Practice to provide structured SQE preparation (40 weeks’ preparation training in year one leading to SQE1; 40 weeks’ preparation in subsequent study while preparing for SQE2). Trainees have one study day per week while studying and receive coaching/support to develop a work-based portfolio for Qualifying Work Experience.

Mentorship

Trainees receive coaching and practical support as part of the SQE programme and the firm provides pastoral support via the People Team. The training programme references coaching to build a qualifying work-based portfolio; the firm also operates an Inclusion & Belonging Network and People Team contacts for reasonable adjustments, indicating structured supervision, accessibility to HR/People for support, and internal trainee networks.

Apply on the Lee & Thompson LLP website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Lee & Thompson LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness (particularly in media, technology and creative industries)
• Demonstrable commitment to a career as a solicitor in the firm’s specialist sectors
• Strong academic ability (minimum 2:1 degree required, or equivalent with conversion)
• Teamwork and communication skills
• Resilience, adaptability and practical problem-solving
• Enthusiasm for the creative industries and sector-specific understanding

Evidence Signals

• Relevant sector experience (production, agency, label, studio, games studio or creative business)
• Participation in the Vacation Scheme, paralegal experience or internships within media/creative industries
• Commercial or media-focused work experience, client-facing roles or project involvement
• Engagement with industry initiatives (Creative Access, BFI-backed programmes) and demonstrable commitment to inclusion and sector networks

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Funded three-year trainee programme (in collaboration with the College of Legal Practice)
• £400 expenses payment for Vacation Scheme participants
• Employee Assistance Programme providing 24-hour support to employees and immediate family members
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders across the firm
• Inclusion & Belonging Network activities, workshops and social events
• Coaching and study day support for trainees during SQE study periods
• Participation in external partnerships and industry training (BFI, Creative Access)

Wellbeing

Qualified Mental Health First Aiders; Employee Assistance Programme 24-hour support; inclusion-led wellbeing workshops and events (guided walks, craft workshops, charity fundraising events); manager-level training in inclusive leadership and burnout prevention.

Awards & Recognition

• TIGA Games Industry Awards 2024 — 'Best Legal Services Supplier' (Video Games team)
• Legal 500 — multiple practice recognitions and client testimonials (featured on firm site)
• Chambers & Partners — multiple team and individual recognitions (featured on firm site)
• Legal 500: Tier 1 rankings for Film & TV, Media finance and Music (Legal 500 rankings)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Firm commitment to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace, ongoing introspection and review of policies, structured Recruitment Committee oversight, and active partnerships (Creative Access) to widen access to the creative industries.

• Inclusion & Belonging Network (7 strands: Family & Carers; Women’s Network; LGBTQ+; Wellbeing & Mental Health; Race Network; Recruitment/Access; Disability and Neurodiversity)
• Women in Law pledge (Law Society) — firm signatory
• WaveLGBT membership
• Lee & Thompson x Creative Access Thrive partnership (funding, mentoring and training places)

Pro Bono

The firm provides legal helplines, educational talks, clinics and training programmes to support the industries it serves and to widen access to legal advice; it partners with industry organisations and runs pro bono and social impact activities alongside its Charity of the Year fundraising.

Innovation

The firm advises on digital, adtech and martech matters and offers specialist Digital & Tech services across advertising, data/privacy and platform commercial work. Lee & Thompson positions itself to support clients on regulatory and commercial technology issues within the creative industries, but the website does not list firm-specific proprietary legal tech tools.

Quick Application Angles

• Demonstrate specific sector fit: in applications emphasise commercial experience or insight relevant to film/TV, music or videogames (the firm's core sectors) and refer to recent firm work such as advising on production projects or videogames industry recognition.
• Reference the firm's training route: highlight readiness for the funded 3-year SQE programme and explain how you would use a protected study day each week — show you can balance client work with SQE study.
• Show commitment to inclusion and access: mention relevant involvement or interest in Creative Access-type initiatives or diversity work; the firm actively runs and funds access programmes.
• If applying to the Vacation Scheme, note availability for the specific dates (29 June–3 July 2026) and reference practical experience or exercises you have completed that mirror scenario-based challenges used in the scheme.
• For media and entertainment roles, cite one or two sector-specific examples (a production, campaign or release) to demonstrate commercial thinking and familiarity with industry workflows — this is valued by L&T’s client-focused teams.