Lee & Thompson LLP Training Contract Profile

Lee & Thompson is a specialist firm built around the creative industries, with visible strengths in Media, Film & TV, Music, Technology, Data Privacy and Media Finance. The firm acts for producers, studios, independent filmmakers, record labels, artists, agencies and creative businesses, so work is often at the intersection of intellectual property, commercial deals and industry regulation. Typical instructions include production and distribution agreements, talent and rights contracts, music publishing and licensing, content financing and deals for streaming platforms. Data privacy and technology work supports clients on content monetisation, platform agreements, ad-tech and the regulatory risks that arise when personal data and creative content overlap.

For trainees and junior solicitors this practice mix offers training opportunities that combine transactional drafting, negotiation and rights clearance with litigation and regulatory exposure. Film/TV and Music desks give day-to-day experience drafting production agreements, composer and performer contracts, sync licences and clearance memos. Corporate and Commercial seats cover fundraisings and commercial contracts, while Media Finance exposes trainees to lender and investor documentation behind film and TV projects. The firm's client base means you will learn commercial drafting tailored to creative businesses, understand sector-specific risk allocation, and build practical experience advising on how contractual terms affect artistic and distribution outcomes.

Recent firm activity highlights Lee & Thompson's deep engagement with the creative sector. The firm launched a three-year partnership with Creative Access to support freelancers in the creative industries through the Thrive 2025-2026 programme; the initiative includes in-house legal training sessions (for example a roundtable on freelancer terms, invoicing and platform distribution hosted by Partner Will Everitt and Associate Pia Hutchinson). This demonstrates the firm's public-facing work on capacity building and sector access.

On the content side, Lee & Thompson advised on ten films that together received 39 nominations at the 2025 British Independent Film Awards, including multiple nominations for My Father's Shadow and Die My Love - a marker of the firm's deep film and awards-season practice. Another notable development is Partner Amanda McDowall's appointment to INTA's Rising Practitioners Committee for 2026-27, which underlines the strength of the firm's trademark and IP expertise and its engagement with international professional networks.

Lee & Thompson recruits trainees primarily from its Vacation Scheme; successful participants may join initially as paralegals and then enter the Training Programme (starts March or September). Trainees prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) alongside practice. In year one trainees usually remain in the department where they worked as paralegals while studying for SQE1 via a part-time 40‑week course with the College of Legal Practice. After SQE1 they undertake three six‑month seats while preparing for SQE2, again supported by 40 weeks of structured study.

Training days are allocated as one study day per week during SQE preparation, with trainees working four days and studying one day to balance client work and revision. Seats commonly available are Film/TV, Music, Corporate, Commercial, Litigation and Employment. Trainees typically do a litigation or employment seat, a corporate or commercial seat, and a creative sector seat (Film/TV or Music) depending on their background. The firm also provides coaching and support for building a Qualifying Work Experience portfolio. The structure is practice-led, so expect hands-on drafting, client calls on creative-sector transactions and mentoring from fee-earning lawyers who specialise in media and entertainment.

Lee & Thompson's culture emphasises wellbeing, inclusion and industry-specific collegiality. The firm positions itself as a workplace where staff can bring their whole selves to work, supported by wellbeing partners and Mental Health First Aid training. Regular social activities and perks are part of the effort to sustain morale across fast-paced media projects.

Equity, diversity and inclusion are driven through dedicated committees. The Inclusion & Belonging Network - led by Partner Huw Morris - runs initiatives that range from recruitment oversight to events marking diversity calendar dates. The Anti-Racism Taskforce, led by Partner Lizzie Payne-James, focuses on ongoing education (for example unconscious bias training) and amplifying the contribution of people of colour within the creative industries. For junior lawyers this means a workplace that blends specialist legal mentoring with active ED&I conversations relevant to clients and the cultural sector.

Lee & Thompson seeks candidates with a genuine interest in the creative industries and commercial law. Key qualities include strong commercial awareness of media and entertainment markets, attention to drafting detail, effective client communication, adaptability to changing project timetables and teamwork on cross-discipline matters. Evidence that you understand industry dynamics - for example the economics of film finance, streaming deals, artist contracts or data/privacy challenges for platforms - will stand out. Practical signals include relevant internships, paralegal experience, content creation or industry placements, contributions to student media, and well-reasoned examples of problem solving in commercial contexts.

Practical steps to strengthen an application:

• Plan applications around the Vacation Scheme window, noting the firm usually opens applications late January to early February.

• Use sector-specific commercial awareness: read recent film financing deals, streaming platform news and music rights disputes, and reference the firm's recent BIFA work and Creative Access partnership where relevant.

• Prepare concrete examples of drafting, negotiation or client-facing experience; if you lack legal work experience, use creative-industry projects where you handled contracts or budgets.

• Use resources to stay organised and practice: YourLegalLadder's training contract tracker, SQE preparation tools and 1-on-1 mentoring can help with deadlines, CV/cover letter reviews and mock interviews, alongside The Law Society and the College of Legal Practice materials.

• Tailor responses to show cultural fit: demonstrate interest in the firm's mix of transactional and creative-sector work and its ED&I initiatives.

The firm's DEI statement emphasises an ongoing commitment to an inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their whole selves to work. Lee & Thompson operates an Inclusion & Belonging Network, chaired by Huw Morris, which oversees recruitment and wellbeing activity and organises events to raise awareness. The Anti-Racism Taskforce, led by Lizzie Payne-James, runs training on topics such as unconscious bias and works to celebrate under‑recognised contributions by people of colour in the creative industries. The firm also partners with Creative Access through the Thrive programme to support freelancers from under‑represented groups with training and networking.

There is limited public detail in the provided source about formal pro bono programmes; however, the firm's engagement with sector access and freelancer support indicates a commitment to targeted community impact. Aspiring applicants should reference the firm's stated commitments in interview answers and may ask for specifics about pro bono opportunities during recruitment conversations.