• 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

Jonathan’s recent transactions include 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, approved by the Irish government in May 2022.
  • The Element Pictures film and television group and its founding shareholders on the May 2022 sale of a majority shareholding in that company to Fremantle Media Group, a subsidiary of RTL Group (majority owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA).
  • Leading service station and fuel distribution business Corrib Oil on its 2021 acquisition of H2 Group, adding 13 new sites to the Corrib Oil retail portfolio, and the simultaneous refinancing of Corrib Oil’s working capital and term debt.
  • Digital 9 Infrastructure plc on the April 2021 acquisition of the entire share capital of Aqua Comms DAC, a Dublin-headquartered operator of sub-sea cable infrastructure. Also advised on aspects of Digital 9’s initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange immediately preceding that acquisition.
  • The shareholders of seafood business Breizon on the sale of that company to Groupe Mericq, a major French seafood supplier.
  • Hire Purchase Information DAC in relation to the December 2021 acquisition by CRIF S.p.A. of a majority interest in that company.
  • RWE AG in relation to aspects of the Dublin Array offshore wind energy project.
  • O’Flynn Group in relation to the financing of various real estate development portfolios.
  • Sustainable Development Capital (SDCL) on the refinancing of two energy efficiency retrofit projects in the hospitals sector. Also advising on the financing of a new energy efficiency project at Tallaght Hospital.
  • Ireland’s sovereign wealth fund ISIF on debt financing transactions with borrowers in the renewable fuels and office accommodation sectors.
  • Several major US studios, including MGM, Warner Bros., Disney and Amazon Studios, on the financing of large film/television productions.
  • Media lender Cofiloisirs in relation to the financing of numerous film and television productions.
  • The producers of the forthcoming feature film “Marlowe”, starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger and Jessica Lange.
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
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

Recent transactions and projects

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