Areas of Expertise
Whether you’re an editor setting up your business, a publisher navigating a complex agreement, or a creative professional protecting your work, WordSmith Legal provides clear, practical legal support tailored to your world. We offer expertise across four key areas of law – all of which are highly relevant to the day-to-day realities of working in publishing.
Contract Law
Contracts are the backbone of any professional relationship in publishing, and the details matter more than most people realise. Whether you’re entering a new client relationship, taking on a subcontractor, or navigating a dispute, having the right contract in place (and understanding what it actually says) is essential.
We can help you with:
- Drafting tailored service agreements and client contracts
- Reviewing contracts before you sign
- Negotiating contract terms on your behalf
- Advising on your rights and obligations under existing agreements
- Assisting with contract disputes and breach of contract matters
Corporate Law
Running a creative business involves more than just doing great work — it requires smart decisions about how your business is structured, operated and protected. WordSmith Legal provides practical corporate law advice to help publishing professionals build and grow with confidence.
We can help you with:
- Business structure advice (sole trader, company, partnership)
- Setting up or restructuring your business entity
- Shareholder and partnership agreements
- Corporate governance and compliance
- General business legal advice
Copyright Law
Copyright is at the heart of the publishing industry, and understanding who owns what, and under what circumstances, can make a significant difference to your career and livelihood. WordSmith Legal helps publishing professionals understand, enforce and protect their copyright.
We can help you with:
- Advice on copyright ownership in creative works
- Licensing your work to others (or licensing others’ work for your use)
- Reviewing and drafting copyright licences and assignments
- Responding to copyright infringement
- Moral rights and fair dealing queries
Intellectual Property Law
Your intellectual property is one of your most valuable business assets. From your brand name and logo to your methods, systems and creative output, IP law helps you protect what makes your business unique and gives you the tools to take action if someone else tries to use it without permission.
We can help you with:
- Trade mark advice and applications
- IP strategy for creative businesses
- Protecting your brand identity
- IP clauses in contracts and agreements
- Responding to IP disputes and infringement