Ian Felstead

Ian Felstead, Global Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Complex Commercial Litigation Practice, advises clients on a variety of commercial litigation and regulatory disputes, with a particular focus on the media, technology, and sports industries.

Mr. Felstead draws on more than two decades of experience navigating complex and high-profile disputes to achieve clients’ business objectives. He regularly advises many of the world’s leading companies in the media, technology, and sports industries on high-value, multijurisdictional issues.

Combining sophisticated industry knowledge and practical problem solving, Mr. Felstead handles a diverse range of commercial disputes — from breach of contract claims to a variety of regulatory investigations and inquiries. His practice encompasses proceedings brought before a variety of venues, including the UK High Court and domestic and international tribunals, as well as regulatory processes around the world. 

Additionally, Mr. Felstead has particular experience in relation to data protection, defamation, and breach of confidence/privacy. Mr. Felstead regularly advises individuals and companies on data protection and reputation management issues.

Mr. Felstead's experience includes advising:

• Meta (formerly Facebook) in relation to various regulatory inquiries and associated litigation, including: 
  
  • Advising on regulatory inquiries and associated litigation in relation to data transfers from the European Union following the CJEU’s decision in Schrems II
  • Managing and coordinating the global litigation and regulatory response in relation to data breach and cyber-security issues
  • Advising on data protection regulatory inquiries and associated litigation in the UK and elsewhere in relation to alleged UK GDPR and/or GDPR infringements
  • Advising on competition regulatory inquiries and litigation in relation to data privacy issues

• 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

• ITV on various contractual and intellectual property disputes around the world regarding a well-known television program format     

• Various Miramax companies in relation to claims arising out of alleged misconduct of Harvey Weinstein
• A major bank in relation to a contractual dispute with a leading technology provider
• A leading television production company in relation to a contractual dispute with a high-profile Hollywood actor arising out of allegations of misconduct 

• Various high net-worth individuals and leading companies in relation to reputation management issues
• News Group Newspapers on the high-profile voicemail interception litigation*

*Matter handled prior to joining Latham