JL Media is a leading boutique media law firm, providing legal expertise and commercial consultancy to the TV and film industry.
We specialise in broadcasting, investment and content production for output across television, film and new media platforms. Our grasp of changes in the law and industry trends, matched with strategic business oversight delivers excellent results for production companies along their growth trajectory from inception to expansion to mergers and acquisitions.
Our clients range from individuals to small independents to major production companies with a global reach. The services we offer include: equity and shareholder agreements, compliance, distribution rights and first look deals, contracts, television formats, domestic and international co-productions, strategic business advice, licensing, clearance, production finance, production hires and investment deals.
We pride ourselves in our highly responsive and professional service, enabling our clients to focus on what they do best, developing creativity and supporting talent.
PENNIE CROCKER
Pennie is co-director of JL Media with over 20 years’ experience in the film and television industry. She has a wide range of production experience across all genres and advises on all aspects of programme finance and production from development to distribution and film production. Starting her legal career in format and programme sales distribution for RDF Media, Pennie went on to lead the in-house legal team for Darlow Smithson Productions followed by 8 years as a Senior Legal and Business Affairs Manager at Channel 4 working with the documentary and specialist factual team.
Pennie now specialises in scripted production and talent agreement and has worked on a large number of productions including Rocks, Creation Stories, Liar, Baptiste, Emmy award-winning Fleabag and I May Destroy You. Pennie graduated from Durham University (Law, LLB) and in addition completing the legal practice course (College of Law, London) also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in UK, US and European Copyright Law and Related Rights from Kings College London.
AMANDA GREENFIELD
Amanda is the former Head of Legal and Business Affairs for Studio Lambert (part of the All3Media Group). She joined the senior management team at Studio Lambert shortly after the company’s inception and worked there for 9 years, responsible for working across all areas of development, production, compliance, distribution and ancillary exploitation for programmes such as Gogglebox (C4), Undercover Boss (C4), Great Interior Design Challenge (BBC), The Big Life Fix (BBC), The Secret Chef (ITV), How to Get A Council House (C4), Four In A Bed (C4), Naked Attraction (C4), Tattoo Fixers (E4), Doctor In The House (BBC).
Prior to joining Studio Lambert, Amanda worked at Channel 4 as Commercial Affairs Manager for Features, Factual Entertainment, Daytime and Sport and as Legal and Business Affairs Executive at RDF Media Group (Faking It, Wife Swap, Secret Millionaire) where she worked across both scripted and non-scripted programming, distribution and also providing legal advice to talent agency RDF Talent. Amanda completed her legal training and worked as a solicitor at private practice firm Minter Ellison Lawyers in Sydney and holds a Bachelor of Arts/Law (Hons) degree from the University of Sydney. She is a dual qualified lawyer who holds legal practicing certificates in both England and Wales and NSW Australia. After living in London for almost two decades Amanda now resides in Sydney, Australia.
JAMES JACKSON
Founding Director, James Jackson started out working for an entrepreneurial start-up Digital Stores (an e-commerce solutions and fulfillment company for record labels and brands) as part of a small but vital team, with a role which developed into Label Liaison Manager as the business expanded and sold to Universal, before heading to law college and qualifying at Harbottle and Lewis LLP, following which he was the Legal and Business Affairs Manager for Mentorn Media, Mentorn International Distribution and Daybreak Pictures.
He has worked with start-up companies, established companies and individuals involved in Radio Production, Social Media, Digital Publishing and App Production, Band Promotion and Management, Film and Television Production and has worked on a wide variety of tv and film productions since the inception of JL Media, as well as advising on general commercial deals, such as slate output deals and equity investment.
He also spent a number of years in his 20s playing with bands whose "creative genius" was never fully appreciated.
VESNA MILANKOVIC
Vesna has 15 years of experience of legal and business affairs in all stages of television production for UK and US broadcasters and in that connection, advises clients on development and exclusivity agreements, access agreements and any agreements and issues relevant to the production, distribution and broadcast of television content. Prior to joining JL Media, Vesna was the Legal and Business Affairs Manager for Mentorn Media and Mentorn Scotland as well as standing in as legal and business affairs manager for other Tinopolis Group companies such as Daybreak Pictures, Pioneer and Firecracker Films, working on programmes ranging from reboot of Robot Wars (BBC), Panorama: Putin’s Russia (BBC), The Jihadis Next Door (C4), Grenfell: The First 24 Hours (ITV) to access type programmes such as Inside London Traffic Brigade (ITV), Traffic Cops (C5, BBC) to long running science series such as How the Universe Works (Discovery) and to drama miniseries The Politician’s Husband (BBC). She started her career in the BBC, clearing rights in the BBC’s dramas, moving to the BBC talent contracts, followed by Current TV, a UK outpost of a US start up broadcaster, to assist with starting the UK Legal and Business Affairs department and take on the role of legal and business affairs manager, compliance.
Vesna completed the graduate diploma in law and legal practice course (both at College of Law, London) after graduating from Goldsmiths (BSc Psychology) and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in UK, US and European Copyright Law and Related Rights from King’s College London.
CHARLIE PHILLIPS
Charlie is a solicitor and consultant with the firm, specialising in music rights and licensing. He is a recognised expert on the interaction between music rights and data in complex cross border contexts, and has particular expertise in collective licensing of music across various media.
Prior to life as a consultant, Charlie ran the Worldwide Independent Network and was Director of Legal and Business Affairs at the UK’s Association for Independent Music. On qualification as a solicitor in 2009 he joined IFPI, where he continues to act as a consultant.
Charlie started his music career as a recording studio engineer, working with notable artists including Radiohead on the location recording of their ‘Kid A’ and ‘Amnesiac’ albums. He then progressed into broadcast and digital media, with management roles at Capital Radio and Napster, before legal training and qualification with a City firm.
Charlie has produced electronic music since the mid 1990s, and today works with a range of artists, producers, labels and advisors in a legal advisory and coaching capacity He enjoys helping people on their way up the music industry with guidance and advice on a pro bono basis.
BRYAN RICKMAN
Bryan is a solicitor and consultant with the firm specialising in company law and employee share schemes.
He handles an extensive range of corporate transactions including M&A, private equity and corporate restructures as well as providing general company law and company secretarial advice. He is also an employee share schemes specialist, with over 25 years’ experience, advising on share schemes and their design and implementation. As an expert draftsman and project manager, he is therefore able to bring a wide range of skills to bear on any project.
Bryan studied law at the London School of Economics and at Lancaster Gate Law School, achieving First Class Honours in his Law Society Finals. Throughout his career he has enjoyed his varied workload and being able to advise a variety of clients on a wide range of issues. Bryan joined JL Media as a consultant in 2017 and complements the work carried out by the rest of the JL Media team.
In his free time (when he gets it) Bryan is a budding artist making mosaics and stained glass projects, an enthusiastic ballroom and latin dancer, a keen gardener and used to enjoy singing (and hopefully will again one day) in an Acapella group.