Lily Kennett

Spear’s Review

Former journalist Lily Kennett continues to leverage her investigative nous in her role at Schillings, where she works with corporate leaders and high-profile individuals to inform strategy amid periods of ‘controversy and upheaval’.

Kennett assists her clients with ‘identifying, interpreting and responding’ to reputational risks that might arise. As well as counteracting threats from the media, Kennett works with clients to pinpoint areas affecting long-term reputational and privacy interests.

Having joined Schillings in 2017 from business intelligence firm Livingstone & Company, Kennett works alongside ‘litigators, experts from military intelligence, investigative journalists, international investigators, cyber security specialists, digital forensic experts, crisis response professionals and senior people from the military, police and government’.

Adviser Profile

With a background in investigative journalism and over a decade of experience in corporate intelligence, Lily is an expert at assembling facts and formulating strategies to protect her clients’ reputation, privacy and security. Specialising in complex cases – particularly where these play out in the ‘court of public opinion’ – Lily works closely with corporate leaders and prominent individuals through periods of upheaval to achieve stability and success. From litigation support and asset recovery to individual reputation strategy, Lily has navigated hostile campaigning activity, entrenched online inaccuracies, intrusive media interest, smear campaigns and even investigator malfeasance. 

A specialist in sensitive multi-jurisdictional matters, Lily deploys her extensive experience in investigation and analysis to counteract immediate threats and help clients realise high-stakes opportunities. With her background in news and foreign affairs, she frequently advises international businesses and families seeking strategic advice to align their regional and global reputations – often in connection with generational change or landmark business opportunities. 

In leading Schillings’ pro bono programme, Lily also provides support to prominent organisations working to expose and counter disinformation, misuse of personal data and other online harms. 

Alongside fellow Schillings partner Juliet Young, Lily hosted the investigative podcast ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ – demystifying the world of legal investigations, from digital forensics and art fraud to case strategy. 

Lily has been consistently ranked as a Notable Practitioner in Chambers & Partners Litigation Support Guide.