• Law Society of Ireland
  • Solicitor, Law Society of Ireland 1995
  • Bachelor of Law LL.B., Trinity College Dublin, Ireland 1990
  • Postgraduate study of German civil law, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany 1990 – 1991

Jonathan has been a partner in Philip Lee since 2002 and the firm’s managing partner since September 2020.

He works on a wide range of corporate and financing transactions, with particular focus on the infrastructure, energy, media and real estate sectors. He has advised both public and private sector clients in relation to a number of the largest infrastructure projects in the State, including many public private partnerships (PPP). He is also recognised as a leading practitioner in the area of film and television finance.

Representative Matters

In parallel with performing his duties as the firm’s managing partner Jonathan continues to support many of its clients with a wide range of projects and transactions. His recent work has included:

  • Advising Port of Cork Company in connection with the financing of an extension to the Cork Container Terminal, which includes an investment commitment of €88.5 million by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF).
  • Advising O’Flynn Group in relation to the refinancing of its primary real estate development portfolio.
  • Advising Big Things Films, a joint venture between Cillian Murphy and Alan Moloney, on the financing and production of two feature films, “Small Things Like These” and the forthcoming “Steve”, each starring Cillian Murphy.
  • Advising MGM in connection with the production of season 2 of “Wednesday” for Netflix.
  • Advising Wild Atlantic Pictures in connection with several feature films, including “Saipan”, as well as major TV projects for Netflix and Lionsgate respectively.
  • Advising Element Pictures in connection with the financing of feature film “Pillion”.
  • Advising Metropolitan Pictures on several productions, including “The Walsh Sisters” for RTÉ and BBC.
  • Advising Cofiloisirs on the financing of several film and television projects, including Jim Jarmusch’s “Father Mother Sister Brother”.
  • Advising Prime Arena Holdings on the development of a multi-purpose arena for sports and culture in Cherrywood, Co. Dublin.
  • Advising ISIF in connection with several debt financing transactions.
  • Advising the Health Service Executive on the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital to Elm Park Medical Campus, including the governance and management arrangements for the charitable company which will operate the new hospital facility.
  • Advising the shareholders of Gamma on the 2025 sale of that company to Katrisk (a portfolio company of private equity firm TA Associates).
Jonathan Kelly is the best media lawyer we have worked with in the past 25 years.
Chambers Europe, 2025
Jonathan Kelly is highly experienced in complex deals and is very helpful at cutting to the issues.
Chambers Europe, 2023
Jonathan Kelly is the most outstanding media lawyer I have come across anywhere in Europe or North America: able, immensely knowledgeable and quick to react.
Legal 500, 2022
Very experienced with a strong grasp of complex issues.
Chambers Europe, 2022
Very experienced in all aspects of media finance and takes a practical and commercial approach to problem solving.
Legal 500, 2022
What I like about Jonathan Kelly is his serious attention to detail,” reports one impressed client, adding that “Kelly would have known every line of every page.
Chambers Europe, 2019
Jonathan Kelly is an excellent partner to have on any project.
Chambers Europe, 2024
Jonathan Kelly is the best media lawyer; his grasp of the issues, both legal and commercial, is unmatched. Remarkably, he continues to offer outstanding client service.
Legal 500, 2023

Recent transactions and projects

News and insights