John O’Donoghue

Partner

John O’Donoghue

Partner

Related Services
Memberships
  • Law Society of Ireland
  • Dublin Solicitor’s Bar Association
  • Irish Environmental Law Association
Education
  • BCL, UCC (1997)
  • Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland, (2001)

John is a partner and head of the real estate department at Philip Lee. 

John has extensive real estate expertise and advises leading property companies, investors, developers, local authorities, state bodies, retailers and private individuals on the acquisition, development, management and disposal of commercial property. John has acted in many complex real estate transactions. He advises on all issues surrounding the acquisition, management, leasing and development of land and buildings.

John has considerable experience in the area of landlord and tenant law. He regularly advises on lettings to include negotiating both short-term and full repairing and insuring leases as well as management and service charge structures in developments.

In the area of real estate finance, John advises both lending institutions and borrowers on the property aspects of banking transactions and real estate security requirements. He also advises on the enforcement and realisation of property security including the appointment of receivers and liquidators.

John has previously won the International Client Choice Awards for Real Estate in Ireland. The Client Choice awards recognise those law firms and partners around the world that stand apart for the excellent service they provide.

Recent Work

John has acted for many clients in significant and complex transactions. Recent examples include:

      • Acting for a US private equity fund in the forward acquisition of over 500 residential units for PRS;
      • Acting for a leading Irish property developer in the forward sale of 150 residential units;
      • Acting for a number of property developers in the acquisition of residential and mixed use developments sites, the set-up and financing of the development schemes and the onward sale of individual units and block sales;
      • Acting for a number of multi-national companies in the leasing of significant office space in the Dublin docklands;
      • Acting for an Irish university in the acquisition of a commercial building in Dublin;
      • Advising the agency responsible for the delivery of social housing in Ireland;
      • Acting for a solar developer in the acquisition of options for lands and wayleaves for solar development.

John is a partner and head of the real estate department at Philip Lee. 

John has extensive real estate expertise and advises leading property companies, investors, developers, local authorities, state bodies, retailers and private individuals on the acquisition, development, management and disposal of commercial property. John has acted in many complex real estate transactions. He advises on all issues surrounding the acquisition, management, leasing and development of land and buildings.

John has considerable experience in the area of landlord and tenant law. He regularly advises on lettings to include negotiating both short-term and full repairing and insuring leases as well as management and service charge structures in developments.

In the area of real estate finance, John advises both lending institutions and borrowers on the property aspects of banking transactions and real estate security requirements. He also advises on the enforcement and realisation of property security including the appointment of receivers and liquidators.

John has previously won the International Client Choice Awards for Real Estate in Ireland. The Client Choice awards recognise those law firms and partners around the world that stand apart for the excellent service they provide.

Recent Work

John has acted for many clients in significant and complex transactions. Recent examples include:

      • Acting for a US private equity fund in the forward acquisition of over 500 residential units for PRS;
      • Acting for a leading Irish property developer in the forward sale of 150 residential units;
      • Acting for a number of property developers in the acquisition of residential and mixed use developments sites, the set-up and financing of the development schemes and the onward sale of individual units and block sales;
      • Acting for a number of multi-national companies in the leasing of significant office space in the Dublin docklands;
      • Acting for an Irish university in the acquisition of a commercial building in Dublin;
      • Advising the agency responsible for the delivery of social housing in Ireland;
      • Acting for a solar developer in the acquisition of options for lands and wayleaves for solar development.
Related Services
Memberships
  • Law Society of Ireland
  • Dublin Solicitor’s Bar Association
  • Irish Environmental Law Association
Education
  • BCL, UCC (1997)
  • Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland, (2001)

John O’Donoghue and Elaine Whelan are very approachable and helpful. Their knowledge and advice are valuable, and they are keen to understand clients’ business and help them to understand how the Irish property legislation applies to their transactions.

Legal 500, 2023

John O'Donoghue is very experienced and that comes across in his work.

Chambers Europe, 2023

John O'Donoghue builds a good rapport with clients, he is very experienced, he doesn’t over-complicate matters and is very clear in his communication. He also turns his work around promptly.

Chambers Europe, 2022

Exceptionally knowledgeable in the area of property . . . commercial in his approach.

Chambers Europe, 2020

His level of knowledge and experience stands out.

Chambers Europe, 2021

Very commercially minded.

Chambers Europe, 2021

John O’Donoghue is very pragmatic and approachable and offers clear commercial advice.

Legal 500, 2020

Recent transactions and projects

Carysfort Capital

Carysfort Capital

Philip Lee’s real estate team led by John O Donoghue and Elaine Whelan with assistance from Ciaran Corcoran were pleased to advise Carysfort Capital and TPG Angelo Gordon on the sale of 104 residential units to KGAL's Core 5 Life, Article 9 ESG Fund. Congratulations...

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RSM

RSM

We were delighted to advise the founders of RSM Ireland in relation to a major strategic investment by RSM UK. The Philip Lee team was led by Andreas McConnell with assistance from Tara O'Donoghue, John O'Donoghue, Patrick Walshe, Cian Moriarty, Catriona Walsh and...

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First Home Scheme DAC

First Home Scheme DAC

A Philip Lee team led by John O'Donoghue and Elaine Whelan has advised First Home Scheme DAC on the legal real estate elements in relation to the expansion of the First Home Scheme for self-build homes. It is expected the expansion of the scheme will increase uptake...

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