Key Contacts: Joseph Stanley – Partner | John O’Donoghue – Partner |
Philip Lee LLP is delighted to announce that Joe Stanley, formerly a partner and head of real estate at Eversheds Sutherland, has joined the firm as a senior partner in its real estate department.
Ambition
Reflecting ambition and alignment, Joe Stanley has joined Philip Lee with a clear vision for the future of its real estate practice. Known for his strategic insight and collaborative leadership, Joe sees this transition not just as a change of firm, but as an opportunity to build something transformative. His decision to bring a trusted team of two senior associates and three legal executives with him reflects a commitment to continuity, excellence, and shared purpose.
He said:
“I’m thrilled to be joining Philip Lee with my team. Together, we’re hitting the ground running with a shared understanding of how to deliver high-impact results. The Irish property market is at a fascinating inflection point, between delivery challenges, sustainability imperatives and planning reform, there’s a huge amount of potential. We want to be at the centre of those conversations, helping clients navigate complexity with clarity and confidence.
What drew me to Philip Lee was the firm’s culture of collaboration and its appetite for growth. There’s a real energy here, a willingness to challenge convention and embrace change. That’s incredibly motivating, not just for me but for the team joining me. We see this as a place where we can do our best work, build something meaningful, and make a difference.”
Expanded Team
Joining Joe are two senior associates, Alison McSherry and John Kerin, and three legal executives, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities in the property sector. This dynamic team brings deep expertise and fresh energy to a real estate practice that has more than doubled in size over the past five years.
With this addition, Philip Lee’s real estate team now comprises seven partners and over 20 fee earners, reflecting the firm’s continued momentum and its vision to grow strategically by attracting top-tier talent.
Recent Deals
Joe is a distinguished real estate solicitor, recognised with a Band 1 ranking and Hall of Fame status by the prestigious legal directories Chambers Europe and Legal 500. Joe’s recent experience includes:
- Advising McGarrell Reilly Group on its Charlemont Square project. The development includes approximately 355,000 sq ft of Grade A office space over two office blocks, 30,000 sq ft of retail space and over 280 apartments across six blocks.
- Acting for Hibernia Real Estate Group on its pre-let deal with KPMG for their new Harcourt Square headquarters.
- Advising DWS Alternatives GmbH on its forward purchase of a substantial new apartment scheme in Dublin.
- Acting for LinkedIn on its landmark deals with both Stripe and EY at Wilton Park, Dublin. This was one of the largest lease transactions in the Dublin market in the last 12 months.
Commenting on the appointment, John O’Donoghue head of real estate at Philip Lee said:
“We are delighted to welcome Joe to the partnership. His deep sector knowledge and collaborative approach will be a tremendous asset to our clients and our team as we continue to grow our real estate offering.”
