Media and entertainment in Ireland

Arthur Cox

Arthur Cox relies on its multi-jurisdiction presence and expertise to handle a wide range of domestic and cross-border media and entertainment mandates, ranging from defamation proceedings to commercial licensing agreements. The team works with a broad spectrum of clients, including broadcasters, cable companies, online game developers, producers, publishers, and advertising agencies. Colin Kavanagh focuses on commercial, non-contentious and regulatory matters. Gavin Woods departed to DLA Piper Ireland LLP.

Practice head(s):

Colin Kavanagh

Key clients

Center Parcs

MCD

Coolmore Stud

Meta (formerly Facebook)

IAC Search & Media

Rugbypass

The Chester Beatty Library

Trinity College Dublin

Wireless Group plc

2RN

6 Nations Rugby

UEFA

Konami

Fitbit

The Abbey Theatre

Nike

Converse

Work highlights

  • Advised an existing client on a sponsorship agreement with the HAAS Formula 1 team.
  • Advised Meta on a number of Irish High Court actions brought by a number of high profile persons.
  • Advised Meta in an Irish High Court action by UK online games provider, InTouch Games.

Flynn O'Driscoll

Flynn O'Driscoll handles the full range of contentious and non-contentious media and entertainment law issues, including pre- and post-publishing advice and litigation in the areas of defamation, confidentiality, privacy, and intellectual property. Kieran Kelly heads the practice and holds vast experience in business litigation with a focus on media law.

Practice head(s):

Kieran Kelly

Key clients

The Irish Independent

The Sunday Independent

The Irish Daily Star

The Sunday World

The Herald

Iconic Newspapers

Mediahuis

Reach plc

Virgin Media Ireland

Penguin Books

Hachette Books

Gill Books

Atlantic Books

Harper Collins

Irish Academic Pres

Empire Elite Limited

Hot Press

The Stand with Eamon Dunphy

Newspread Limited

Irish Licensed Merchants Association

Celtic Woman Limited

Paul Williams (Author and investigative journalist)

Ralph Reigel (Author and investigative journalist)

Nicola Tallant (Author and investigative journalist)

UTV

Belfast Telegraph

Sunday Life

Disney

Work highlights

  • Advised John Kelleher Media on the touching and outstanding documentary, “Charlie Bird: Loud and Clear”.
  • Advised Virgin Media on a weekly pre-publication on the Irish production of “Gogglebox”.
  • Represented Iconic Newspapers in a High Court defamation case entitled Michael Reilly v Iconic Newspapers Limited.

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP

Mason Hayes & Curran LLP has a full-service media and entertainment practice which offers advice on a wide range of issues, including advertising, production agreements, media rights, content regulation, and broadcasting licence applications. The team is also active on the contentious side, where it handles factious sports broadcasting rights matters and other Irish High Court proceedings. Practice head Michael Madden has longstanding regulatory experience and regularly advises on all aspects of Irish audiovisual media services law. Associate Luke Murray specialises in Irish and EU media and communications regulation and competition law matters.

Practice head(s):

Michael Madden

Testimonials

‘The team is very knowledgeable about their industry.’

‘Michael Madden is extremely responsive and very experienced. Good blend of legal advice and commercial perspective.’

Key clients

Meta

Twitter International Unlimited Company

Bauer Media Group

Discovery

BT

Work highlights

  • Advised Meta on a range of regulatory obligations including the Irish implementation of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive and Ireland’s Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill.
  • Represented Twitter in the defence of Norwich Pharmacal Proceedings in the Irish High Court.
  • Advised Bauer Media on various international media mergers.

Matheson LLP

Matheson LLP has a sizable and experienced media and entertainment practice with a strong presence in the film and TV production sector, where it represents multiple producers, lenders, financiers, and distributors. The team works closely with its commercial litigation and dispute resolution group to provide holistic defamation and privacy law advice to a wide range of clients, including media and broadcasting companies and regulatory and statutory bodies. Ruth Hunter specialises in the negotiation and drafting of agreements related to distribution, writers, actors, directors, designers, and composers and co-heads the team with Michael Byrne , who leads the contentious side of the practice, with particular expertise in defamation and privacy law.

Practice head(s):

Ruth Hunter; Michael Byrne

Testimonials

‘The team has considerable expertise in this area and customises service for the project at hand and drives the closing accordingly.’

‘Ruth Hunter is very knowledgeable.’

Key clients

Treasure Entertainment Limited

Subotica Limited

Port Pictures Limited

McCann FitzGerald LLP

McCann FitzGerald LLP has an experienced media and entertainment practice which works with both domestic and international operators in publishing, broadcasting, production, betting, gaming and digital enterprises. The team has a dedicated media defence team that regularly handles complex media disputes and defamation mandates. Audrey Byrne heads the practice and has extensive expertise of handling digital media disputes and the contentious issues that affect online platforms. Alan Heuston advises on the regulatory and taxation aspects of the betting and gaming sector, while Adam Finlay specialises in advertising law matters. Lesley Caplin is another key contact and was recently promoted to of counsel.

Practice head(s):

Audrey Byrne

Other key lawyers:

Alan Heuston; Adam Finlay; Lesley Caplin

Testimonials

‘McCann FitzGerald LLP’s approach to analysis and client communications are best in class.’

‘Lesley Caplin leads an excellent team out of the Dublin office. First-rate analysis and communication.’

‘McCann FitzGerald LLP’s team offers in-depth expertise in managing media defence cases. The team has been excellent in witness preparation and in managing the discovery and document productions, including dealing with source protection issues and privilege.’

‘Audrey Byrne is experienced in managing large-scale discovery by electronic means in the context of her busy commercial court practice. Lesley Caplin manages a team of media defence specialists and a busy caseload of media-related disputes. She is an expert media defence practitioner, managing civil jury actions and advisory work for media clients. She is an adept and skilled negotiator, and clients very much value her commercial approach.

‘Lesley Caplin is top-notch, intelligent, practical, well-organised, extremely industrious, and hard-working. She is very good at witness preparation, strategic advice and managing large discoveries and document production. She manages her team very well.

‘The media and entertainment team at McCann FitzGerald is unique in its field. The team combines a wealth of experience and knowledge in the area of media and entertainment law with the ability to embrace changes to the law and procedure in an ever-changing field in this regard.

‘The team is streets ahead in terms of electronic briefing.’

‘The media and entertainment team always emphasises collaboratively solving problems. There is always an unrestrained debate about strategy or legal points when required, which ensures that the decisions made on litigation strategy or whether to run a particular point are robust. The solicitors forming the Media and Entertainment Team of MCF are litigation savvy and fearless.’

Key clients

BBC

Channel 4 television

Guardian News & Media

Independent News & Media plc (now Mediahuis)

Buzzfeed

Twitter

Cable News Network, Inc.

Clooney Foundation for Justice

Malin

Work highlights

  • Advised BBC on a high-stakes legal action which will involve a jury hearing, likely to take place in 2023.
  • Represented Guardian News and Media in a defamation proceedings by two company directors and their fishing company.
  • Represented Channel 4 in defamation proceedings brought by Ryanair in respect of a documentary by Channel 4 in respect of air safety.

Philip Lee LLP

Philip Lee LLP’s media team has a strong presence in the film and television sector, where it represents multiple studios, state media agencies, artists, banks, financial institutions, and investors. In addition, the team is also active in the advertising industry and regularly advises commercial production companies on production-specific legal matters. Brian Gormley heads the practice and has significant experience of advising on the financing and production of large international feature films, animation series and domestic television programs. Jonathan Kelly specialises in the area of film and television finance, while associate Jessica Gorman has significant experience of negotiating talent agreements and advising on production clearances and releases.

Practice head(s):

Brian Gormley

Other key lawyers:

Jonathan Kelly; Jessica Gorman

Testimonials

‘The team has an exceptional knowledge of the industry.’

‘Philip Lee has more depth and experience.’

‘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. He is very ably supported by his associate Jessica Gorman, who works fast and communicates well.’

‘The team are a great support to producers as well as providing many solutions to contractual agreements for film production.’

‘Brian Gormley is extremely knowledgeable on the subjects. He provides good advice, especially on eligibility issues with the department. He is always prompt in returning calls and delivers on time.’

Key clients

Screen Scene

Wild Atlantic Pictures

Metropolitan Films

Merlin Film Group

Cofiloisirs

Parallel Films

Comerica Bank

Curiosity Studio

JAM Media

Windmill Lane

Work highlights

  • Advised Wild Atlantic Pictures on various major productions including feature films “Irish Wish”, “The Pope’s Exorcist” and “65” and television programme “Bodkin”.
  • Advised Metropolitan Films on several projects including Shelley Society, Silver and Harry Wild – Series 2.
  • Represented certain Irish group companies in relation to the production and financing of the film In the Land of Saints and Sinners.

William Fry

William Fry works with a wide variety of clients from the media and entertainment sector, including daily newspapers, domestic TV channels, and top media companies. The team has particular expertise in defamation and privacy law and, of late, has been heavily involved in a lot of brand protection and reputation management work. Fiona Barry heads the team and has extensive experience in the defamation and social media sectors. Paul Convery  specialises in defamation proceedings, in addition to telecommunications and media-related disputes.

Practice head(s):

Fiona Barry

Other key lawyers:

Paul Convery

Testimonials

‘Paul Convery is excellent at client management.’

‘Paul Convery is a very flexible thinker, always solutions-based when novel legal issues come up. Alice O’Connor is very good at detail.’

‘Paul Convery’s team has a very cost-efficient approach to the solutions offered and accepted to considerably adapt their usual fees for the first steps of procedures. They do have a great understanding of the laws and procedures and excellent communication.’

‘They are efficient communicators and always inform a client in advance of any substantial work to be undertaken and associated costs (with the small exception of the last invoice). They always presented different options and clearly explained the different aspects of those. They are also very friendly and amicable to work with.’

‘The team has professionals who pay attention to details, anticipating problems well in advance, and offering adequate solutions to those issues.’

Key clients

BBC

EHM Productions (TMZ)

Irish Rugby Football Union

Smurfit Kappa Group plc

The Irish Times

RTE

Sky

Diageo

Tipperary GAA

Genesis Links Holding Limited (Carr Golf)

Work highlights

  • Represented parties who are the focus of a legal investigation in examining an allegation of corporate wrongdoing in a publicly quoted media group.
  • Advised Tipperary GAA on a multi-year sponsorship deal with Fiserv Inc.
  • Advised Genesis Links Holding Limited (Carr Golf) on the acquisition of a Golf Course.

A&L Goodbody LLP

A&L Goodbody LLP handles the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious matters in the media and entertainment space, including regulatory matters, advertising and sponsorship agreements, defamation and other content issues, and technology and media-related disputes. Practice head John Whelan focuses on the telecommunications sector and John Cahir is the other key contact.

Practice head(s):

John Whelan

Other key lawyers:

John Cahir

Work highlights

  • Advised Premier Sports on the proposed disposal of its UK operations to Viaplay Group.
  • Represented Digital Europe in the proceedings in the Irish Commercial Court and the CJEU concerning the validity of the European Commission standard contractual clauses.

Dillon Eustace

Dillon Eustace has built a strong reputation for its work in the field of defamation litigation, where it handles many high-profile defamation cases for both domestic and international clients. John Doyle heads the practice and has a strong track record of providing pre-publication and day-to-day advice to leading newspapers and successfully defending clients before the High Court. David Kavanagh , Peter Bredin , and John O’Riordan are also recommended.

Practice head(s):

John Doyle

Other key lawyers:

David Kavanagh; Peter Bredin; John O’Riordan

Testimonials

‘The team is attentive and skilled.’

 

Key clients

Post Publications Limited (The Business Post)

Reach plc

Work highlights

  • Advised Business Post on the avoidance and the defence of defamation actions.

Hayes Solicitors LLP

Hayes Solicitors LLP  provides day-to-day advice on all aspects of media law and is well renowned for its expertise in the areas of defamation, copyright, data protection, privacy and contempt law. The team works with publishers, podcast producers, authors, production companies, and studio developers. David Phelan heads the practice and has extensive experience of advising pre-publication consideration of articles, advertisements, media contracts and copyright. Joe O’Malley assists clients with litigation matters related to media law.

Practice head(s):

David Phelan

Other key lawyers:

Joe O’Malley; Ken Casey

Testimonials

‘The partners and solicitors are strong in the media field through their partners David Phelan (litigation) and Ken Casey commercial.’

‘David Phelan is an expert in this field and is responsive, wise, pragmatic, an excellent communicator and knowledgeable of the media landscape and of his clients’ needs. Ken Casey’s legal expertise and commercial nous are acknowledged by all his clients. He too is available, pragmatic and provides wise counsel.’

‘Hayes always provides detailed and clear legal guidance.’

‘While a smaller practice it punches above its weight due to the calibre of the individual lawyers. It focuses on quality lawyers and quality work rather than quantity. The firm collaborates with its clients rather than providing services.’

‘David Phelan stands out in contractual and media matters. He has a very solid judgement and a calm approach to problematic situations.’

‘The open and thorough team gives solid and reliable advice. The briefing sessions and feedback come from good knowledge, research and reflection.’

‘The individuals in the team stand out for getting things done within the timeframe that’s promised. Briefings are thorough, and questions are always answered in a professional way and without jargon.’

Key clients

The Irish Times

Tara Studios

Noel Kelly Management

Boys and Girls

United Biscuits

Association of Promotional Marketing Consultants

Publicis

Irish National Teachers Organisation

Nestlé

Institute of Promotional Marketing in the UK

Pepsi

Benecol

Integrated Marketing Communications Council of Europe

MMC Commercials trading as Mitsubishi Ireland

IAPI

CMS

Work highlights

  • Advised The Irish Times newspaper on pre-publication and reporting restrictions issues.
  • Represented Tara Studios Limited in their process of developing film and television production facilities at a 250,000 ft.² state-of-the-art facility in Co. Wexford.
  • Advised many of the celebrity talents with Noel Kelly Management on their agreements with TV and radio broadcasters.

RDJ LLP

RDJ LLP has extensive experience in all legal issues related to print, broadcasting, and digital media and boasts two dedicated teams for contentious and non-contentious media law-related matters. Darryl Broderick heads the contentious media team and has extensive experience of handling reputation management and other media disputes before the Irish courts. Diarmaid Gavin heads the non-contentious media team and advises on media merger notifications, advertising compliance, content acquisition and licensing arrangements, data protection, and advertising law.

Practice head(s):

Darryl Broderick; Diarmaid Gavin

Key clients

Poppulo

GTT Communications

Bakhchysarai Ireland

PFH Technology

Compliance and Risk

Wissam Al Mana

Stanhope Financial Limited

Sirwan Saber Mustafa

Irish Examiner

ByrneWallace LLP

ByrneWallace LLP has built a strong reputation for assisting public and private organisations with reputation management, where it protects clients from the reputational damage caused by product recalls, bad leavers, data breaches, cyberattacks and adverse media intrusion. Mark O’Shaughnessy heads the practice and works closely with Valerie Hourigan .

Practice head(s):

Mark O’Shaughnessy

Other key lawyers:

Valerie Hourigan

Testimonials

‘Mark O’Shaughnessy is a leading expert in the fields of media and technology law, his knowledge of these constantly evolving areas is impressive, and his ability to present developments in the law in a clear and concise way is of great assistance. He has the ability to identify practical pathways and solutions to overcome difficult legal issues faced by clients in these areas.’

Key clients

Irish Studio Media Publishing Limited

Work highlights

  • Represented Irish Studio Media Publishing Limited in proceedings arising from the content of an article published in an online publication.
  • Represented county councils in issues arising from an investigative journalist broadcast regarding certain alleged corporate governance issues.
  • Represented state health agency in defending High Court defamation proceedings.