Media and entertainment in Ireland

‘A good mix of commercial, contractual and litigation lawyers. Overall a strong team that can take matters from start to end, whether commercial or litigation. Part of a good international network of firms.’

‘Domhnall Breatnach has very good experience in IP matters including comparative advertising and blocking injunctions. Very strong on the detail and gives strategic advice while at the same time being aware of costs and the need for resolution. Gavin Woods gives really practical advice around disputes and has good expertise in IP, in particular copyright and trade marks. He is conscious of the need to balance litigation costs against business objectives and required outcomes.’

‘Karyn Harty is a wise practitioner. You feel she is genuinely interested in her clients and is very on side. She is not dogmatic and is up for discussion.’

‘In what is such a niche and specialist industry, we take great comfort in knowing the advice we are receiving from McCann Fitzgerald is of the very highest standard. The MCF team’s knowledge of how we operate both as an individual entity and as part of the wider group is invaluable. They are conscious of the fit and the appropriate measures to be taken to ensure we stay aligned to the operations of the wider group. Their understanding of our thinking behind commercial decision making ensures we align and achieve the deired outcomes time and time again.’

‘Alan Heuston’s forensic knowledge of the betting and gaming industry is unrivalled across the Dublin firms. The familiarity with our business and knowledge of the wider landscape ensures the advice we are receiving is airtight. As a niche business within a niche industry, for a partner in a firm to have the knowledge of our business that Alan does is unheard of.’

‘There are multiple factors allowing me to recommend the media and entertainment practice group at McCann FitzGerald but the first which was immediately obvious to me is the depth of the team’s analysis of our company’s issues and the clarity with which they present their thinking. Whether in writing or presented orally, the McCann team provides me with the information and analysis I need without significant extraneous detail. As a busy head of legal at my company, I need to move the conversation along at my pace and quickly get the information I require to make an informed decision. McCann excels at this. I much appreciate the weekly summary I receive of our case. I can quickly make sure McCann and I are in sync as to next steps and action items.’

‘I would like to specifically mention both Karyn Harty and Lesley Caplin for the quality of their work. They provide everything I expect from a first-rate law firm and I now use them as the benchmark to which I hold other law firms.’

‘Karyn Harty is a standout partner. Our go-to lawyer on Irish law matters. She has an excellent knowledge of the media industry and is approachable, efficient and has a practical approach.’

‘Strong commercial focus with a perceptive and hands-on approach to problem solving, Alan Heuston’s sectoral experience lends this team an unbeatable edge when seeking advice in the betting, gaming and lotteries sector. We have used an array of secondees from the firm and all have been a valuable addition, delivering high-quality outputs.’

‘Alan Heuston has a diverse array of skills with a dual qualification in tax and a history of in-house advisory in the betting and gaming industry. His sectoral experience, proactive problem-solving approach and nuanced approach to communications ensures he is our go-to adviser. He consistently delivers. The firm generally provides reliable, high-quality output.’

‘The team stand out for their knowledge and availability. The individuals within the team are very approachable and understanding of the matters at hand. I have never had a bad experience or felt an issue wasn’t being dealt with. Brian Gormley and Aoife McBennett are standout members of the department. Both Brian and Aoife bring a calmness and trust to the production. You know you’re in good hands.’

‘Philip Lee’s knowledge and experience of the Irish film and television sector is unrivalled.’

‘Brian Gormley’s industry knowledge is exceptional and his attention to detail on each matter from minor to more complex is excellent. He communicates clearly and is a fantastic problem solver.’

‘Specialist knowledge across the film and TV team. In particular, Jonathan Kelly is very experienced in all aspects of media finance and takes a practical and commercial approach to problem solving.’

‘Market leaders in film and TV finance with the ability to advise and service Hollywood-based studios, streamers and TV companies. Expert knowledge and deep experience with a commercial approach.’

‘From senior partner down to associate their advice always comes from a place of experience and you can take comfort from the fact that they are so heavily involved in the industry. Jonathan Kelly and Brian Gormley are industry-leading lawyers. Jessica Gorman and Aoife McBennett are highly experienced and reliable.’

‘My experience of Philip Lee has been consistent over many years: first-class legal work underpinned by sound commercial instincts. I am not aware of any other law firm in Ireland that comes close to serving the needs of film and television producers and distributors.’

‘In my career spanning 40 years, 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 – great work always delivered calmly and courteously. He and Brian Gormley currently head up an excellent team of emerging third-generation talent.’

‘They’re a very pragmatic team who offer advice that is business-savvy and client-specific. Their negotiation skills assist in getting a good deal done for their client. The service isn’t standalone and it takes into account previous advice provided and involves really listening to the client, compared to some other firms where they don’t always take the client’s commercial agreement into account.’

‘Alison Quinn is clear-minded, highly professional and personable. Her advice displays a real understanding of her clients’ business. John Whelan is highly experienced in advising in commercial, IP and media-related agreements and gets to the core of an issue instantly. Andrea Lawler displays a real concern for her clients’ business.’

‘We were very pleased with Dillon Eustace’s services. A very friendly and professional attitude.’

‘We worked a lot with David Kavanagh. He is skilled, accessible and attentive.’

‘A major law firm with the nimbleness and agility of a boutique firm, offering top-level service in the fields of defamation and entertainment law.’

‘Kieran Kelly is the standout defamation lawyer in Dublin, ably assisted in the department by Zoe Mollaghan. Both have been offering a leading defamation practice for years. Noted for their availability, practicality and advocacy.’

‘I found their expertise combined with an outstanding local network of non-legal experts (such as in accountancy and finance) meant you were always guaranteed timely, thorough and actionable advice.’

‘David Phelan was outstanding. As a result of this specific project, I will be recommending our business moves more legal work to David. Working with senior partners from other firms both in Dublin and London, I had come to expect a certain degree of tardiness in responses and rarely felt our matters were a priority. David was the opposite. An expert in his field and a great communicator, he could deliver a precis on the issue at hand quickly and with clear next steps. His attention to detail meant we picked up on a potential commercial issue at an opportune moment that two other independent legal reviewers had missed.’

‘It is their up-to-the-minute expertise and practical approach which makes them stand out.’

‘David Phelan is calm, thoughtful and solution focused. He is a pleasure to work with and is a driver of outcomes. Matthew Austin is well experienced in media matters.’

‘RDJ has good staff retention, to the extent that we have had the same point person for a number of years in Darryl Broderick. This has allowed a stable and trusted relationship to develop over time. RDJ has an excellent appreciation of defamation law in particular. Equally, RDJ understands the media mandate and public service journalism. RDJ has been developing its data protection team, and we have received useful advice in this area of law, including regarding data access requests and requests to remove content.’

‘RDJ and Darryl Broderick are experienced in defamation and GDPR matters.’

‘RDJ have kept on top of our litigation and ensured that we have done all we can to progress it and keep the pressure on the other side, with Darryl Broderick’s pragmatism ensuring that we keep focused on the bigger picture. Darryl has also made sure that we are informed about the differences in Irish procedure. RDJ have also ensured that we have the strongest team.’

‘I deal directly with Darryl Broderick almost 100% of the time and he is very efficient and easy to understand for a non-legal person. Darryl will always get back to you quickly if he can’t take the initial call. Very helpful, very efficient and gives short, concise responses that really help us.’

‘Ronan Daly Jermyn are specialists when it comes to the law as it pertains to the media, and have a specific team who are highly versed in intricate and complex areas such as defamation and the GDPR. They are excellent at offering dependable, honest and frank legal advice. They work with us so that the best outcome is achieved. Communication in a timely fashion is key and Ronan Daly Jermyn have never let us down. All the lawyers are highly professional and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Darryl Broderick in particular has been excellent to deal with. He is highly versed in defamation law. He is contactable in a timely fashion despite often inconvenient and tight deadlines. Darryl has also provided fantastic, digestible training sessions on defamation.’

‘Mark O’Shaughnessy was excellent. He was fully on top of his brief, had clearly researched in advance of calls and meetings and although our industry is a niche one, we didn’t have to waste valuable time bringing him up to speed. There was a need for a quick turnaround on some material and documents and this happened seamlessly and efficiently and to a very high standard.’

‘Mark O’Shaughnessy has a very strong ability to communicate effectively. He is very engaged and comfortable with the subject matter of social media and the law. Mark is accessible and very pleasant to work with.’