Stephen advises clients on a broad range of commercial matters across Simkins’ portfolio of media and entertainment clients with a particular specialism in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, advising on matters relating to digital, social media and content creation, the exploitation of intellectual property and image rights, and data protection matters. He also has a risk, regulatory and compliance background.

As a state-school educated lawyer with mixed-raced heritage, Stephen is an advocate for social mobility, inclusion and diversity in the legal profession. He is a founding member of the 93% Club, a networking group designed to broaden the networks of state-school educated professionals and students, as well as a mentor at Aspiring Solicitors. Stephen is also actively involved in the East and South-East Asian (ESEA) creative communities, having previously been a semi-professional dancer, and is a member of a variety of ESEA-based groups including ESEA Music, MilkTea Films, Bayanihan Circle and Occasians.

Stephen studied English Literature at the University of Surrey before converting to Law. Prior to training as a solicitor, he worked as a paralegal at an international and magic circle law firm before moving to a professional services firm setting up law firms in a variety of jurisdictions including Australia, Hong Kong and the UK. He trained and qualified at a West-End law firm and was previously in-house legal counsel at the Com Laude Group, an international domain name management business.