Will Lyons

Experience

• 

  Mayer Brown

  Sept 2012 - Sept 2014

  Trainee Solicitor

  A two-year training contract at one of the world’s largest global law firms. Transactional, advisory and contentious experience in Finance, Corporate and Employment Groups.

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  EMI Records

  Mar 2013 - Oct 2013

  Secondee, Legal & Business Affairs | Virgin Records & EMI Classics

  In-house secondment whilst at Mayer Brown. Gained experience negotiating, drafting and advising on commercial contracts, including brand partnership deals, marketing agreements, distribution agreements, recording agreements, licenses and promotional terms and conditions.

• 

  Warner Music Group

  Sept 2014 - Aug 2021

  Head of Business Affairs for Warner Records UK. Responsibilities included: advising and collaborating with the label President on signing strategy, recording agreement negotiations, and roster management • high-value featured artist clearances • licensing • content distribution • merchandising • brand partnerships • investing in the development of junior lawyers, supporting their growth, and overseeing their negotiation of live performance, producer, video production, and marketing agreements • instructing and managing outside counsel • devising and implementing new processes and deal structures to help future-proof the business, maximise revenue and to improve efficiency • building strong relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders at a national and international level.Notable album projects: Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia • Nines - Crabs in a Bucket • Ghetts - Conflict of Interest • Liam Gallagher - Why Me? Why Not • Muse - Simulation Theory • Foals - Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost • Griff - One Foot In Front Of The Other • Lianne La Havas - Lianne La Havas • Pa Salieu - Send Them To Coventry •Notable signings: Griff • Pa Salieu • Ghetts • The Blessed Madonna • LF System 'Afraid To Feel' • Show less Advising on intellectual property and commercial issues for Atlantic Records UK, including: recording agreements, licensing production, merchandising, marketing, brand partnerships, personal appearance and synchronisation agreements.Modernising, simplifying and improving contract precedents, contributing to the development of strategic goals and objectives of the company on commercial and legal projects, and overseeing the work of junior lawyers and external counsel.Notable album projects: Ed Sheeran - '%' and '+' • Charli XCX - 'Pop 2' and 'Number 1 Angel' • Jess Glynne - 'I Cry When I Laugh' • Anne-Marie - 'Speak Your Mind' • Clean Bandit - 'What Is Love' • James Blunt - 'The Afterlove' • Rudimental - 'We the Generation' • Notable signings: Fred again.. • Stormzy • Maisie Peters • Show less

  • Director, Legal & Business Affairs | Warner Records UK

    Jul 2018 - Aug 2021

  • Senior Manager, Legal & Business Affairs | Atlantic Records UK

    Oct 2016 - Jul 2018

  • Manager, Legal & Business Affairs | Atlantic Records UK

    Sept 2014 - Oct 2016
• 

  Apple

  Aug 2021 - now

  I'm the Legal and Business Affairs Lead for Platoon - an artist services company that provides tools and services to the most exceptional music talent.I also work with other parts of the Apple Media Services business, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Fitness+, Shazam, and other media and entertainment services worldwide.

  • Senior Corporate Counsel, Music

    Oct 2023 - now

  • Corporate Counsel, Music

    Aug 2021 - Sept 2023