Reputation Management

Your reputation is your biggest asset.  Whether you are a business or an individual, whether you seek the limelight or prefer anonymity, public scrutiny can bring significant risks.

Email and the internet allow publication of sensitive or damaging information to the world at large, often with little or no notice.  Journalists, malicious competitors or gossips can permanently harm your reputation. Once sensitive information has been picked up by the media or spread on-line, an immediate response is vital to minimise its potential damage.

Why we are different

We have protected our clients' reputations for years. We are known for our advice to Oryx Natural Resources, Deborah Lipstadt, Princess Diana and Robert Maxwell, but what sets us apart is our discretion; most of our work in this area never becomes public. We protect our clients’ reputations tenaciously, combining legal strategy with commercial advice and personal sensitivity. The value to our clients lies in the group's ability to provide calm counsel in difficult times, avoiding legal proceedings wherever possible.

We are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. We advise global businesses from all sectors and individuals from all walks of life – including those in the media, music and fashion industries, royalty, politicians, sports people, high-ranking businessmen and women, entrepreneurs and civil servants. We provide pre-publication assistance to those at risk of publishing potentially contentious material.

Services

• Obtaining, defending and discharging emergency injunctions
• Preventing and challenging publication of damaging stories or private information, in the media, online or in a commercial context
• Litigation involving defamation, privacy, reporting restrictions and all aspects of media law
• Pre-publication content clearance and advice to publishers

Experience

• High profile traders and hedge funds in relation to reputational issues in the fall-out from the financial crisis
• Pre-publication advice to specialist business publications, and several investment funds, to assess and manage the risk that content may be challenged
• Deactivating a series of defamatory websites and proving the identity of their anonymous author to the Court, following obtaining disclosure of information from various webhosts and internet service providers
• Obtaining short-notice injunctions to prevent disclosure of confidential information
• Advising a leading national professional services firm in relation to defamatory statements made by a competitor to several of its mutual clients
• Advising a national religious forum in relation to defamatory statements made about it on the internet and anticipated in a forthcoming book
• Acting for a high-ranking police officer in relation to defamatory allegations made against him in the national press and online
• Advising individuals in relation to incorrect and damaging allegations made on blogs and discussion forums

Contact

James Libson
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7440 7132
E-mail: james.libson@mishcon.com

Anthony Julius
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7440 7025
E-mail: anthony.julius@mishcon.com