Richard McMorris

With over two decades working internationally with organisations using digital content, technology and data, I'm an enthusiastic collaborator with clients on a wide array of transactions, projects and transformations.

I lead the firm's cross-practice Digital Rights & Assets group, which helps clients across all sectors to develop and implement effective digital rights and asset management strategies, as well as our Media, Entertainment and Sport subsector focused on Broadcasting & OTT.

Clients turn to me not just for technical advice, but for informed, thoughtful insight on business and strategic issues. I'm focused on understanding why clients are doing things and ensuring our work is precisely-tuned to helping them achieve their objectives. In every interaction with a client my primary job is to help them answer the simple question: what should I do next?

I'm particularly experienced in assisting entrepreneurial, high-growth, internationalising businesses with commercial partnerships and joint ventures, M&A, change, new markets and models for products and services. A significant part of my work involves emerging technologies.

I also have first-hand experience of being client-side as the general counsel and head of corporate development of a FTSE-listed international digital media company. I now work with organisations across commercial, corporate, regulatory and transactional matters.

My clients range from multinational media, technology and data businesses to kitchen-table start-ups, including telecoms, technology providers and innovators, broadcasters and OTT platforms, consumer brands, sports and entertainment rights holders, news and information organisations, gaming and esports companies, and investors and financiers.

In 2021 I was shortlisted as one of Europe's most innovative lawyers in the Financial Times' annual awards.

• Providence Equity/Bite Communications: advising on regulatory aspects of the acquisition of 15 television channels and media services from MTG Modern Times Group.
• Leeds United: advising on investment by San Francisco 49ers.
• Eleven Sports Group: advising on sale of stake in Eleven Sports Poland OTT service to Polsat.
• Advising a global consumer brand on complex advertising and regulatory issues relating to digital content and ecommerce platforms across multiple territories.
• Working with an international digital media company on structuring of a cross-border OTT and other digital services.