Key Contacts: Jonathan Kelly – Managing Partner | Tamara Mitchell – Partner | Kate McNamara – Of Counsel | Elaine Whelan – Partner | Keelin Gavagan – Partner | Michael Cahill – Partner |
Philip Lee LLP is delighted to announced the appointment of four new partners and one Of Counsel, reflecting our ongoing growth and success. The four new partners are Elaine Whelan, Michael Cahill, Tamara Mitchell and Keelin Gavagan. Kate McNamara has been appointed Of Counsel recognising her exceptional contributions and deep expertise in the real estate sector.
Elaine Whelan, Partner, Real Estate
Elaine acts for developers, institutional investors, asset managers and lenders on all areas of commercial and residential real estate with a particular focus on development, commercial leasing and renewables. She is experienced in advising clients on their most complex, high profile and challenging real estate transactions. These transactions are consistently listed in the largest commercial property transactions in Ireland each year. In addition, Elaine has particular expertise in the legal property elements of renewable energy projects. Ranked as a recommended lawyer in real estate in Ireland by legal directories, Elaine has been a member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Committee since 2022 and is chairperson of the Law Society’s Landlord and Tenant subcommittee. Following this promotion Philip Lee’s real estate team includes eight partners, reflecting the firm’s continued momentum in the real estate sector.
Michael Cahill, Partner, Projects and Construction
Michael advises clients on all aspects of litigation and commercial disputes, with a particular focus on construction, public procurement and health and safety matters. He has vast experience of judicial review proceedings challenging high value public procurement decisions issued by state authorities. He also advises clients on non-contentious construction law and health and safety matters. He has extensive experience in all standard form construction contracts used in Ireland and has advised public authorities, developers, employers and contractors on major infrastructure projects, residential, healthcare, energy and PPP projects. Michael works both from our Dublin office and our newly established Cork office, collaborating closely with the Cork team as we grow Philip Lee LLP’s presence in the Cork area.
Tamara Mitchell, Partner, Media
Tamara specialises in film and television financing and production. She advises a wide range of media clients, including production companies, financiers, banks, international film studios, SVOD steaming services and film industry bodies in relation to the financing, development, production and distribution of feature film and television productions. Tamara also advises on the financing and production of documentaries and unscripted programmes. Her promotion further strengthens the firm’s media and entertainment department against the backdrop of continuing strong growth in the audiovisual sector in Ireland.
Keelin Gavagan, Partner, Corporate
Keelin specialises in corporate transactions as well as general corporate and commercial advisory work. She advises a diverse portfolio of domestic and international clients on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, with her practice primarily focusing on mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings and shareholder arrangements.
Kate McNamara, Of Counsel, Real Estate
Kate has extensive experience in advising on all real estate matters including commercial leasing, commercial property acquisitions and disposals, development schemes, restructuring issues, secured finance, residential conveyancing and landlord and tenant matters. She also advises public bodies in respect of a wide range of real estate issues and also regularly provides real estate support to the corporate department in relation to share and asset sales and mergers and acquisitions. Kate’s clients include public bodies, developers, lending institutions, receivers and private clients.
2025/2026 growth milestones at Philip Lee LLP
- March 2025: Philip Lee LLP partnered with New York-based Skylight Law LLP. The US firm now operates as Philip Lee (US) LLP.
- January 2026: Philip Lee LLP and BHK Solicitors LLP announce merger, focused on expanding the combined firm’s business in the Cork area
- 2025 strengthened service lines:
- Investment Funds
- Tax
- New Homes
- 2025/26 partnership growth:
- 4 internal partner promotions
- 4 internal of counsel promotions
- 5 external partner hires
Commenting on the promotions, managing partner Jonathan Kelly said, “Reaching the milestone of 50 partners is a significant moment for the firm and a testament to the ambition, hard work and collaborative spirit of our people. Each of these appointments demonstrates exceptional talent, deep sector expertise and a commitment to delivering market‑leading advice to our clients. As we continue to expand our footprint in Dublin, Cork, London, New York and internationally, today’s promotions strengthen our ability to meet growing client demand across our key practice areas and position the firm for its next chapter of growth.”
Pictured L:R Tamara Mitchell, Kate McNamara, Jonathan Kelly, Elaine Whelan, Keelin Gavagan and Michael Cahill.
