This feedback is independently verifiable.
Legal Directories:
Legal 500 2024:
‘Does not give up on cases. He always wants to see them through and keep the process going for a long as possible. This is a valuable quality when enthusiasm starts to flag on the day‘. A widely-respected entertainment, sports and licensing mediator, Hildebrand’s experience covers the mediation of high-stakes conflicts involving Hollywood studios, broadcasters, agents, managers, distributors and producers. He also mediates disputes involving financiers, event organisers, sports, franchises, brands and rock bands. Hildebrand additionally specialises in conflicts between businesses (and disputes within businesses), including between shareholders, partners and family members.
Legal 500 2023:
‘A definite first-choice mediator‘, Andrew Hildebrand at IPOS Mediation is ‘ extremely emotionally intelligent and gifted at reading the room. He knows both when to be receptive to the client’s concerns, and when to push and challenge the client‘. Hildebrand is a highly respected entertainment, sports and licensing mediator, whose track record includes high-profile cases involving Hollywood studios, broadcasters, rights owners, agents, managers, distributors and producers (among others). He additionally mediates disputes between businesses, as well as conflicts within businesses, including between partners, shareholders and family members.
Legal 500 2022:
Andrew Hildebrand ‘has a wonderfully empathetic manner that invites open and direct discussions and gains trust quickly – he is notable in his level of follow-up after the mediation‘. A highly rated entertainment, sports and licensing mediator, Hildebrand also conducts mediations concerning disputes between businesses, as well as disputes within businesses, including between partners, shareholders and family members.
Legal 500, 2021:
Andrew Hildebrand is ‘ always very calm and takes all the upset of disputes in his stride – the consummate professional‘. Hildebrand is widely respected for his mediation of entertainment, media and commercial disputes. He has mediated high-profile cases involving Hollywood studios, broadcasters, agents, managers, licensors and distributors, as well as producers, financiers, event organisers, franchises, brands and rock bands.
Legal 500, 2020:
In Place of Strife’s Andrew Hildebrand is ‘excellent – he goes above and beyond to help parties achieve a settlement ’. Hildebrand is particularly well regarded for his mediation experience in the entertainment industry, as well as highly complex and emotional family business and partnership disputes.
Legal 500, 2019:
Andrew Hildebrand ‘works hard to understand the emotional aspects of cases and clearly establishes parties’ trust; he is also very well prepared, thorough and quietly persuasive without resorting to browbeating‘. Hildebrand recently handled over 30 commercial mediations in a 12-month period; he mediates a wide range of commercial and contractual cases but specialises in entertainment, sport and IP; and partnership, family business and private client.
Legal 500, 2017:
Andrew Hildebrand at In Place of Strife ‘ deals with mediations excellently; he has an excellent style, asks the right questions, and puts a good amount of work into the pre-mediation period and pre-meetings with the parties, which very much helps on the day’. Hildebrand acts in a range of commercial, contractual and private client disputes; and has a specialist entertainment industry and creative businesses practice, mediating approximately 10-15 entertainment or sports-related cases a year.
Chambers and Partners, 2024:
Andrew Hildebrand of IPOS Mediation has broad commercial mediation experience with a focus on disputes occurring in the entertainment and media industry. He also has significant experience handling insolvency cases.
“He’s an adept mediator and can get a successful and favourable outcome .”
“Andrew has all of the qualifications and positive personality traits of a good mediator: he’s personable and empathetic, he understands the arguments at play, and he has an affable nature which allows him to defuse otherwise contentious situations to allow a more persuadable settlement style.”
“He is extremely approachable and charismatic .”
Chambers and Partners, 2023:
Andrew Hildebrand of IPOS Mediation has broad commercial mediation experience with a focus on disputes occurring in the entertainment and media industry. He also has significant experience handling insolvency cases. “He’s a fantastic mediator. What sets him apart is his emotional intelligence as he’s very good at reading the room. He knows when to accept client frustration and when to push back and challenge.”
Chambers and Partners, 2022:
Andrew Hildebrand of IPOS Mediation has broad commercial mediation experience with a focus on disputes occurring in the entertainment and media industry. He also has significant experience handling insolvency cases.“Andrew displayed all the skills I would expect of a front-line mediator. He expressed empathy with those making claims, while at the same time retaining commercial objectivity, in order to ensure that the process was fair and effective.”
Chambers and Partners, 2021:
Andrew Hildebrand of IPOS Mediation has broad commercial mediation experience with a focus on disputes occurring in the entertainment and media industry. He also has significant experience handling insolvency cases.“Andrew was superb throughout the mediation: proactive, engaging and with a unique ability to connect with the parties.”
Chambers and Partners, 2020:
Andrew Hildebrand receives plaudits from clients for being able to “help the parties to focus on the pragmatic solution that might be reached.” He handles an array of commercial mediations, and is active in both domestic and international disputes.
Chambers and Partners, 2019:
Andrew Hildebrand of In Place of Strife possesses “a thorough understanding of the business, and an ability to talk the same language as those participating,” in the words of one client. He mediates a range of commercial and contractual cases, including partnership and family business disputes, and offers unique experience in entertainment, sports and IP matters.
Themes emerging from feedback
Empathic & flexible
“Excellent. Andrew was very empathetic and obviously personally cared about our client’s well being. We reached a satisfactory negotiated settlement. Andrew had very good listening skills and was good at reading between the lines; thereby bringing both parties to a ‘realistic’ negotiating point, which was solidified in the eventual deal.”
“Andrew has an instinctive grasp of what people need in order to resolve their dispute and move on, and the ability to help them do so”
Andrew’s commercial experience is unusually broad. He has regularly been on either side of the fence, e.g. as buyer or seller, and understands commercial issues from a variety of perspectives. He also has a high level of understanding and empathy for the parties, having run his own businesses and mediated his own disputes.
Engaging and problem-solving
“Andrew has a knack for engaging with people and is adept at handling fractious disputes and difficult personalities and steering people past conflict, without getting ruffled or losing his sense of humour”
Proven commercial track record, with over 20 up to years’ extensive business experience.
Knack for engaging with people from all walks of life and swiftly creating constructive working relationships.
“Andrew is an unsung hero of our industry. We were facing an impasse which was capable of costing the film industry many millions of pounds. Through Andrew’s skills as a mediator we were able to turn the situation around and achieve a mutually desirable outcome that had seemed virtually impossible only a few months before. By reaching out to both sides he was able to create an atmosphere of trust, to calm the heated discourse and to achieve a level of mutual understanding that created a willingness to collaborate. As a result of his skill we were able to achieve in a matter of months what had eluded us in years of stalemate.” Client, Entertainment & Film industry 2018
Resourceful and Committed
“Thank you for all of your hard work getting us to a settlement. I think it’s pretty clear we simply would not have got there without someone like you assisting us, we were really impressed with your handling of a clearly difficult and delicate situation.” Solicitor, Insurance dispute
“the mediation went as well as any I can remember and you were fantastic.” Solicitor, Insurance dispute
“Andrew grasped the key issues and commercial sensitivities quickly and was sensitive to these throughout. He was very good at making the client feel comfortable about the process as a whole and instilling confidence in his role as impartial facilitator. We were particularly impressed with Andrew’s continued involvement after the mediation. This was excellent and resulted in an agreement being reached between the parties. We would certainly recommend using him again in the future. Andrew is a pleasure to work with.” Solicitor, Brand dispute
“Andrew resolved the issues in one day, as opposed to months of arbitration. He understood the client’s needs and objectives, handled matters well… and was aware and proactive. Without him, we simply wouldn’t have got a deal.’’ Solicitor, Insurance dispute
He cuts through complex detailed issues but also thinks outside the box and encourages creative decision-making. He is also informal and unstuffy. He communicates clearly and avoids legal jargon.
Mr Hildebrand was well prepared and struck up a good rapport with the client which was very helpful. He handled the plenary session well and I think got the most out of the day. 5/5 Solicitor, Insurance dispute
These comments, taken from direct user feedback, represent a fair and balanced summary of the responses received.
From Parties:
‘He excels at handling fractious disputes and difficult personalities. He steers people past conflict without getting ruffled and goes the extra distance to help them settle and move on.’ Party, Founder Dispute
We really appreciated all the work that you did on the day – and I do not say that to most mediators. Without you, we simply wouldn’t have got a deal. Solicitor, Insurance Dispute
‘I don’t think I have ever come across anyone who has worked so hard to make the mediation work. That was great.’ Solicitor, Licensing dispute
I am stunned. I can’t believe we have settled. Thank you so much. It has been hanging over me for quite some time. Five years, I guess. I can end the year in a good way now. Party, Family Dispute
Thank you for going that extra mile. It made all the difference. I am really happy. I was losing sleep over it. and You were brilliant. Thank you very much. Parties, Family Trust Dispute
10 out of 10. I thought Andrew was absolutely brilliant! Please thank him again for his work and help. Party, Fashion Franchising Dispute
Thank you Andrew and very well done; Not easy given attitudes were very entrenched for many years on this one! Mediation Provider, Building Dispute
Thank you so very much for yesterday. We couldn’t have done without you. Your ears would have burnt after you left with the praise for your brilliant help.’ Trustee, Charity
You dealt with both sides very well in what was a difficult mediation so I was only too pleased to wax lyrical about your skills. Solicitor, Franchising Dispute
Andrew did a fantastic job and I wouldn’t hesitate to use him again. Solicitor, Joint Venture termination dispute
Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for today! Without you (our film) wouldn’t be going anywhere. Thank you for your support, and help. We really appreciate everything you have done. Party, Feature Film Rights Dispute
I was very impressed and will not hesitate to use Andrew in the future. He was excellent. Solicitor, Property Insurance Dispute
Thank you for all your help yesterday. I must admit, I didn’t think we were going to get there. Solicitor, Property Dispute
Thank you for the mediation you recently did for us. Rave reviews! Mediation Provider, Property Insurance Dispute
I have an evaluation form back already. It’s very positive – you were rated ‘Excellent’ in all of the categories. They were very impressed. Mediation Provider, Professional Negligence Dispute
Thank you for all your hard work and thank you for getting us all across the line. Party, Royalty Dispute
Andrew was knowledgeable, diplomatic, trustworthy and totally effective during the mediation and negotiation process. His attitude and presence during the meeting put everyone at ease and helped everyone focus on the immediate issues rather than the emotional background to each problem. A potentially difficult day was handled calmly, efficiently and was ultimately successful. I would not hesitate in contacting Andrew for any future assistance in such areas. Party, Film Production Dispute
It feels like I’ve got a life again. I feel a lot more relaxed now. It was really stressful and draining and it is so much better than the alternative of dealing with it every day. Thank you. Party, Sports Dispute
It seems to have been successful in a way that I didn’t really think it would be. Solicitor, TV Distribution Dispute
Very assured. A seasoned and capable negotiator. Combines charm with authority. Expertly creates the right conditions for constructive dialogue. Immediately puts parties at ease and establishes rapport. Builds momentum quickly and keeps things moving forward with energy, humour, toughness and tact. He was also really good at bringing it together at the crucial moments and keeping the parties safely on track when they were about to get derailed, injecting a sense of humour and a light touch. Co-Mediator, Poker Player Dispute