Ian Felstead, Global Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins' Complex Commercial Litigation Practice, is a partner in the London office and a member of the firm's Litigation & Trial Department. He has over 15 years' experience advising clients on a variety of litigation and dispute resolution matters, in particular in relation to commercial, media, technology, and regulatory litigation. His practice focuses on all forms of commercial dispute resolution, including High Court litigation, domestic and international arbitration, and specialist tribunals (for example, the Copyright Tribunal).
Mr. Felstead has particular experience in media and technology litigation, including defamation, breach of confidence/privacy, data protection, and copyright issues. He has acted in high-profile libel and breach of confidence/privacy actions for both defendants and claimants, and regularly advises individuals and companies on reputation management issues.
Mr. Felstead also advises clients on regulatory and public law matters, including acting on behalf of claimants and defendants in judicial review proceedings, advising clients on their regulatory obligations, and acting for them in respect of investigations by the relevant regulator. In addition, Mr. Felstead has considerable experience conducting internal investigations on behalf of clients.
Chambers & Partners UK refers to Mr. Felstead as “a very effective lawyer [who] always thinks things through right to the end.”
Mr. Felstead's representative experience includes:
- Advising Facebook in various litigation and regulatory inquiries, including managing and coordinating its global litigation and regulatory response in relation to a data breach
- Acting for a leading media company in defending unfair prejudice proceedings in the High Court, including successfully resisting an interim injunction application seeking to prevent completion of a corporate acquisition
- Acting for ITV on various contractual and intellectual property disputes around the world surrounding the television program format, The Alphabet Game
- Acting for various Miramax companies in relation to claims arising out of alleged misconduct of Harvey Weinstein
- Advising various high net-worth individuals and leading companies in relation to reputation management issues
- Acting for a major bank in relation to a contractual dispute with a leading technology provider
- Acting for a leading television production company in relation to a potential contractual dispute with a high-profile Hollywood actor arising out of allegations of misconduct
- Acting for ITV plc on various contractual and other commercial litigation for over 10 years, including on its High Court litigation with STV*
- Acting for Computer Associates in High Court litigation regarding the Commercial Agents Regulations*
- Acting for a major broadcaster in an international arbitration regarding a contractual dispute arising out of the FIFA 2014 World Cup*
- Acting for a leading private equity company on various breach of warranty claims arising out of its acquisition of a technology business*
- Acting for ITV in Copyright Tribunal proceedings against PRSfM regarding music licensing*
- Acting for a leading gaming company on various contractual disputes*
- Acting for a leading technology company in relation to contractual disputes with a number of Premier League football clubs*
- Advising a major newspaper group regarding the Bribery Act and associated issues*
- Acting for Video Performance Limited on Copyright Tribunal references regarding music video licensing*
- Acting for a football club in relation to a number of Football Association arbitrations*
- Advising and acting for ITV on various libel, privacy and other content-related matters for over 10 years, including in relation to libel proceedings brought against ITV by Lord McAlpine*
- Acting for a high-profile television presenter in relation to a number of disputes and reputation management issues following their departure from a major broadcaster*
- Advising a leading sports broadcaster in relation to a libel claim brought by a Premier League football club and its manager*
- Acting for News Group Newspapers on the high-profile voicemail interception litigation*
- Advising a television production company on content compliance in respect of a major new factual series broadcast on an online platform*
- Advising a high-profile employee of a Premier League football club in relation to their departure from the club and associated reputation management issues*
- Advising and acting for ITV on various regulatory and public law matters for over 10 years, including in relation to a judicial review of Ofcom*
- Acting for Clearcast defending judicial review proceedings regarding the clearance of claims in television advertising*
- Acting for Post Office Limited on a national programme of sub-Post Office closures, including in relation to number of judicial reviews arising out of such closures*
*Matter handled prior to joining Latham