Reed Smith LLP has hired James Sully as a partner in the firm’s global Entertainment & Media Industry Group.
Sully (pictured) transfers over a decade at Sheridans’ London office, where he was a partner and head of the music division.
At Reed Smith, Sully will split his time between the company’s Century City (Los Angeles) and London offices.
Reed Smith’s Entertainment & Media Industry Group has also welcomed two other partners in recent months: Jess Drabkin, who joined in New York from Grubman Shire & Meiselas and Leif Reinstein, who joined in Los Angeles from Rosenfeld, Meyer & Susman.
“It’s rare that one of the top lawyers in the music business changes firms,” said Steve Sessa, Co-Chair of the firm’s Entertainment & Media Industry Group (E&M) who is based in the firm’s Century City office.
“With the increasingly globalized nature of the entertainment business, James saw an opportunity to utilize the Reed Smith platform to better serve his clients.
“Anyone who has worked with, or against, James knows how talented he is, and Reed Smith is very fortunate to have him for many reasons, including his sterling reputation, his outstanding legal skills and his A-list client roster.”
“With the increasingly globalized nature of the entertainment business, James saw an opportunity to utilize the Reed Smith platform to better serve his clients.”
Steve Sessa, Reed Smith
Gregor Pryor, Co-Chair of the E&M industry group based in London added: “James is extremely well-respected in the legal market in the UK. We are very excited about the synergies of his experience and our existing client base and platform.
“We see the combination benefitting our clients in the United States and the UK. Increasingly, major talent is becoming a broader business in its own right, with multiple interests and revenue streams. James’ pedigree and knowledge working with talent and across all facets of the industry unquestionably strengthens our ability to serve clients.”
Sully brings a wealth of understanding of the music and entertainment business, advising artists, songwriters, celebrities, managers, sportsmen, novelists and independent record and publishing companies.
He also represents mobile phone companies, producers, video and TV production companies and concert promoters.
Many of his clients have won numerous Brits, Ivor Novellos, Grammys and Oscars and include artists such as Sam Smith, Dizzee Rascal, Il Divo, Massive Attack, Professor Green, Zara Larson, The xx, Eric Prydz, Leona Lewis, David Gray, and Imogen Heap; producers such as Fraser T Smith and Markus Dravs, both of whom are Grammy-nominated; record companies such as Method, PMR, Young Turks, Black Butter, Artist Company Ten, and Marathon Music; TV production companies such as Done+Dusted; and publishing companies such as Big Life.
“James’ transatlantic practice is a perfect fit with our current global music and entertainment practice where he will be working closely with partners Stephen Sessa in Century City, Gregor Pryor in London, and Ed Shapiro and Jess Drabkin in New York,” said Cisca Mok, managing partner of the firm’s Century City office.
“His arrival in the Century City office deepens our entertainment and media practice, and we’re thrilled to have him onboard.”
Sully was named Entertainment Lawyer of the Year 2015 and 2016 by Lawyer Monthly and is described in Chambers UK 2017 as “a music law expert.”
Sully received an MBA from CASS Business School and his law degree from University College London (UCL). He spent eight years at Harbottle & Lewis before moving to Sheridans in 2006.Music Business Worldwide
