Jonathan Blair

Partner

Jonathan Blair is a Partner and commercial lawyer with a strong sectoral focus in film, television, publishing and digital media.

He advises producers and financiers on all aspects of film and television financing, including production finance, tax-based and other government incentives, bank finance, distribution pre-sales and gap financing. He has an extensive knowledge of the sources of finance and works closely with clients in structuring financing packages and deals.

​Jonathan’s many clients include film and television production companies, and he is an experienced business affairs lawyer with a rich knowledge-base in all aspects of film and television production in many genres. He also assists clients in building their businesses with a view to sale, and has represented a number of clients in their negotiations for the disposal of their businesses. 

​With the rise of digital media, Jonathan has developed expertise in all aspects of digital distribution and convergence. His clients in this area include distributors of mobile phone entertainment, on-line content distributors, authors and producers.

Jonathan is ranked in the Chambers UK 2025 Guide for Media & Entertainment: Film & Television, which praises his “deep and commercial understanding of the issues and opportunities within the TV and film industry” and notes that he is “always efficient and professional”.

Jonathan is also recognised in two separate media categories in the Legal 500 UK 2025 Guide, which notes that he “provides smart and commercial advice” and highlights his “excellent knowledge of the film finance world and knows when to push for more for producers”. 

​Jonathan is a regular speaker on film, television and digital media.

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High standards, good, transparent communication between team members, excellent understanding of the issues, plus a can-do attitude. Part of the firm’s culture is an awareness of cost, and the farming out of work to the most reasonably-priced resource.
Legal 500
Simkins are knowledgeable, commercial, always responsive and willing to go above and beyond to help.
Chambers & Partners
They take a sensible pragmatic approach to a contentious situation. Their legal analysis of the issue is good and they provide a number of options to me as the client as to how to move forward.
Legal 500
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Astute, commercial and practical.
Chambers & Partners
Jonathan is an "incredibly skilled lawyer and business affairs adviser."
Chambers & Partners
Clients appreciate Jonathan's ability to "cut through really complex commercial agreements."
Chambers & Partners
Jonathan Blair is a "commercial thinking lawyer with excellent skills in coproduction financing".
Legal 500
Jonathan Blair is "intuitive, strategic and emotionally intelligent - he thinks in 360 degrees."
Chambers & Partners

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