Christos Michaels - Head of Film

Christos is a partner and heads up Lee & Thompson’s renowned Film Group.

Christos specialises in all aspects of production, financing and distribution of film and TV, with a particular focus on complex multi-party structured arrangements and studio/streamer deals. His diverse list of clients includes award-winning producers, innovative financiers, industry leading sales agents, government institutions and banks.

Christos initially trained at magic circle firm Linklaters (specialising in international project finance) before joining the theatre, television, and film group of Harbottle & Lewis. During his time there, he was part of the Entertainment Law Team of the Year (as voted by Legal Business) and was also seconded to head up Business Affairs for ten television production companies at Chrysalis Visual Entertainment.

Christos then spent 6 years as Head of Business Affairs of the Icon International Group, overseeing development, finance, production, sales agency and distribution in the UK, Australia and internationally.  His work there included an extensive range of UK, US and international films and television productions – including the Icon-produced ‘What Women Want’ and ‘Apocalypto’. This makes Christos one of the only private practice lawyers in the UK to have had this in-house experience at a leading US and UK vertically integrated independent film company.

Since joining Lee & Thompson in 2006, Christos uses his unique experience to advise his film and TV clients as an extension of their business looking to add value to whatever they are endeavouring to achieve.

Christos regular speaks at industry events and seminars in the UK and internationally, including the acclaimed ‘Inside Pictures’ scheme.

The latest UK editions of legal directories Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 both rank Christos as a leader in his field. Clients describe him as “really practical, very knowledgeable and an excellent lawyer“, “very accomplished and very commercial”, “extremely hard-working but also really approachable” (Chambers & Partners) and “a brilliant thinker” who is “tenacious, attentive and very well connected in the industry” (Legal 500).

Email Christos
+44 (0)20 3073 7669