Jessica Welch
Jess joined the firm as a trainee in September 2013. Since then, Jess’ practice has focused on media disputes and reputation protection, advising high profile individuals and corporates on defamation, misuse of private information and data protection claims, and on intellectual property and contractual disputes.
In the defamation/reputation management space, Jess advises clients on pre- and post- publication matters and she has experience in a broad range of sectors including healthcare, banking, pharmaceuticals, the oil and gas industries, charities, theatres and gaming. The work often involves dealing with sensitive issues and Jess helps clients to protect and manage their reputations from a legal perspective, particularly in the face of media scrutiny. Jess was a key member of the team representing Sir Cliff Richard in his 2018 landmark privacy action against the BBC and South Yorkshire Police.
On the intellectual property side, Jess works with clients from a wide range of industries including music, gaming, television and publishing. Jess provides advice on copyright, royalty disputes, performers’ rights, false endorsement and passing off. She has worked on cases that have been litigated in the Copyright Tribunal, the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. She also advises on alternative dispute resolution and settlement.
Jess is noted by clients as "really stand[ing] out", as being "impress[ive]" and noted that Jess "writes a killer letter. She is intelligent, practical, commercial and lovely to work with." Jess has been ranked as a ‘Rising Star’ in the Legal 500 since 2019 and she was added to the Spears Reputation Management Index in 2020.
Before joining Simkins, Jess worked at sports PR firm Pitch working with clients such as the National Basketball Association, Channel 4 and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games.
