Oliver Lock

Senior Associate

Oliver is an experienced reputation management, media and information lawyer. He advises high-profile individuals, family offices, charities, businesses and executives on all issues relating to privacy, defamation, confidentiality, harassment, stalking, contentious IP and data protection matters. He is the “go-to” expert for those in the entertainment industry seeking to safeguard their privacy and reputation and also has particular expertise advising those in the luxury brands sector on how to manage and respond to sensitive issues where there is a reputational risk.

While Oliver has a great deal of experience navigating traditional battles with the print media, much of his work now involves social media and managing online harms, including right to be forgotten cases and injunctions. He offers wide-ranging, pragmatic and commercial advice across all the risks that can threaten a client's reputation as well as helping to put in place preventative steps before any potential crisis emerges. Oliver works closely with other departments in the firm, including Property, Employment, Private Client and Family, assisting in the drafting of non-disclosure agreements and advising on governance, disciplinary and integrity issues.

Oliver has extensive experience advising those in the film, television and theatre industry who are the subject of unwanted attention, whether from the mainstream media, online attacks, paparazzi or obsessed individuals.

Much of Oliver’s work involves a digital element, whether responding to data breaches or advising clients on ‘right to be forgotten’ applications to online platforms. Oliver adopts a holistic approach and, where necessary, works with external experts (whether cyber monitoring, digital forensics or communications professionals) to ensure his clients’ long-term interests are secured.

Oliver has also carved out a niche advising clients on the topic of deepfakes and generative AI. He has written extensively on the topic of deepfakes in the entertainment industry for a range of industry and national publications and has been named as an "Associate to Watch" in Chambers’ High Net Worth Guide 2024.

Clients appreciate Oliver's clear and assertive communication style, as well as his reassuring, friendly and proactive approach to what is often a sensitive and stressful time for the client.

Oliver has been recognised in the legal directories with commentators commending him as "extremely knowledgeable and professional, but also genuinely kind and caring" (Chambers HNW 2024).

Individuals & Families

Oliver regularly advises clients on both sides of the Atlantic on all aspects of protecting their reputation, including injunctions and social media takedowns.

Private Businesses

Oliver has acted for a number of unique private business, entrepreneurs and family offices and is able to provide them with commercial, pragmatic and cost-effective advice.

Membership & Accolades

Oliver is a member of the IBA, Beverly Hills Bar Association, the London Solicitors Litigation Association and the City of Westminster and Holborn Law Society.

Oliver spent two months on secondment in the entertainment department at Greenberg Glusker, a law firm based in Los Angeles. He has also spent time in-house on secondment with the PGA European Tour.

Work Highlights

Recent work highlights include:

Successfully acting for the Claimant in the privacy injunction of WFZ v BBC [2023] EWHC 343 (KB).
Advising a writer and creator of a high-profile television series in relation to Californian defamation proceedings brought against the production company.
Advising an A-List actor in respect of a production company’s unlawful creation and use of a deepfake of them.
Advising a group of bankers on the removal of their profiles on various business intelligence databases, including World Check.
Advising a high-profile British actor on all aspects of his privacy, from protecting him from paparazzi to putting in place confidentiality agreements.
Acting for the estate of a well-known US-based musician in a dispute with a record label in respect of unpaid royalties.
Acting for a high-profile private company that was the subject of a defamatory campaign in a tabloid newspaper.
Acting for an individual who was the victim of a "revenge porn" attack.

Testimonials

"Oliver is extremely knowledgeable and professional, but also genuinely kind and caring.” (Chambers HNW)

“I instructed Oliver after hearing brilliant things about him through a colleague. Legal issues are famously stressful and upsetting for clients, but Oliver’s impressive experience has been evident from the outset. He approaches every interaction with a sense of calm and consistently relays information in a comprehensive yet digestible manner. His high attention to detail and efficiency is accompanied by a reassuring understanding of, and genuine interest in, the media and entertainment landscape, including its trends and the behaviour of those within it. Oliver is a unique lawyer who advises with tact, intelligence and integrity, and I would not hesitate to hire him again or recommend him to others.” (Publicist for A-List actors)

“I had the privilege of working with Oliver during a challenging time, and I couldn’t be more impressed with his service. From the very beginning, his compassion was evident. He took the time to truly understand the situation, showing genuine care and empathy for mine and my client's concerns. His diligence is unmatched - he was always thorough, and went above and beyond to ensure every detail was handled meticulously. What really stood out was his availability. No matter how busy his schedule, Oliver made sure to be accessible when we needed guidance or reassurance. His quick responses and clear communication provided us with peace of mind throughout the entire process. I wholeheartedly recommend Oliver to anyone in need of legal assistance.” (Talent manager)

"I cannot fault Oliver. His client service and general level of service, level of sophistication and commercial awareness and vision are very strong." (Client)

“Oliver did an excellent job. He grasped the issues swiftly, communicated clearly, was empathetic, and worked quickly and efficiently under some time pressure. I would be delighted to recommend him to others.” (Client)

“There couldn’t have been a better result and I really appreciate how incredibly swiftly and soundly this has all been handled especially as you were away on holiday for a chunk of it. Thank you, your judgement is second to none.” (Client)

“I have worked with Oliver for a few years now with my clients. I was first introduced to him through another client with very high praise. Since then, I have been incredibly happy with how he has worked and solved issues with my clients. I look after high profile actors and musicians whose reputation not only means a lot to them, but it is incredibly important for their careers. Oliver is both wonderful with clients, explaining in detail but also easy to understand ways of solving their reputation issues as well as actually solving the issue at hand. All the clients I have sent across have been extremely happy in dealing with Oliver, and not just with the legal side, but dealing their own emotions in the situation. I will keep recommending Oliver to all of my clients with their legal and reputation issues and I do believe more people need to know about him because his legal knowledge and care are impeccable!” (Financial advisor)

Media, Publications & Talks

Oliver is frequently quoted in the national and legal media, including being interviewed by Joshua Rozenberg in BBC Radio 4’s "Law in Action" on the topic of deepfakes.

Oliver also contributes to and writes regularly on media, privacy and entertainment matters for a range of publications. Recent publications include:

The Telegraph: “Pre-sex NDAs and background checks: What it’s like to date the rich and famous”
The Financial Times: “Media groups look to AI tools to cut costs and complement storytelling”
The Times: “NatWest shut my £1.4m business bank account with no explanation”
The Times: “How the law could address deepfakes and disinformation in politics”
City AM: “We can’t wait for Big Tech to monitor deepfakes, it’s on us to decipher what is real”
City AM: “‘Election bot takeover’: Could you tell a real Rishi from a fake?”
Broadcast: "The legal issues surrounding deepfakes & AI content"
New Law Journal: "Deepfakes: can’t believe your eyes?"
Law Society Gazette: "Ahead of the algorithms: deepfakes and the law"
The Legal Diary: "With the number of deepfakes only growing, could the law turn the tide? asks Oliver Lock"
Music & Copyright: "Defence does pay off: copyright lawsuits in the music industry"
Music Ally: "'22 million songs a year, and only 12 notes available' – pursuing a copyright claim in the music industry today"

Recent speaking engagements include chairing a panel on "international perspectives on privacy protections for high-profile individuals" for STEP (Society of Trusts & Estate Practitioners) and presenting to the Beverly Hills Bar Association on "English privacy and defamation law".