Hi my name is Mike Shepherd
I am a dual qualified lawyer (solicitor and New York Attorney) with 10 years media litigation experience gained at a niche IP and media practice, and have experience working in-house in the licensing department of Polygram Records (now Universal) (1998) and the business affairs department of NBD (leading video distribution company (1999)).
I joined Bolt Burdon in June 2010 to head up an intellectual property and media litigation team. I have considerable expertise in IP and media cases involving large trials and mediations in the High Court, Court of Appeal and House of Lords; for example:
- Kevin Floyd Sutherland & Others –v- V2 Music & Others (2002) – I acted for the original band called Liberty in their successful passing off claim against the “Popstars” runners up, now called Liberty X.
- Terry Venables –v- News Group Newspapers (2007) – I acted for Terry Venables in his libel claim against the Sun.
- Richard Dearlove –v- Combs (p/k/a “P.Diddy”) (2008) – The court considered novel issues including whether lyrics in a song could constitute advertising, and the jurisdictional consequences of using a trademark on the internet.
- Fisher –v- Brooker (2009) - I acted for Matthew Fisher in his highly publicised claim for recognition of co-authorship to the song “A Whiter Shade of Pale”, which we won unanimously in the House of Lords. It was a landmark case in reassuring composers and creative individuals that their rights will be acknowledged and protected by our courts.
- Adam Freeland –v- Interscope & Others (2009) – I issued a worldwide injunction in the High Court against the Black Eyed Peas and others for copyright infringement.
- Paul Carroll -v- Royal College of Music (2010) – I acted for Paul Carroll, a professor at the RCM, in his successful claim for wrongful and unfair dismissal.
My practice has grown to encompass advising and negotiating contracts on behalf of clients in the creative industries and IP sector, which I will continue to do with the support of my colleagues in Bolt Burdon’s other commercial teams
My time out of the office is spent with my partner and three children. In my spare time, which is effectively none, I like to listen to music, read, watch the Arsenal, and play chess and obscure board games.
Testimonials:
Matthew Fisher: "Mike is a knowledgeable and effective lawyer who was able to confirm, at long last, that I had a valid claim. Crucially, he was willing to commit himself to his faith in the merits of my case, and had the conviction that I deserved just recognition for my creative achievements, which have generated so much public affection the world over for the last forty years.”
Kevin Sutherland: “Mike’s business ethics and attention to detail are unquestionable. (Mike for President….yay!).”
Terry Venables: "Great thinker outside the box, solid finisher inside the box."