The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Ireland > Media and entertainment

Arthur Cox handles contentious and non-contentious matters across the media and entertainment sector, including defamation proceedings; broadcasting regulation; music, film and TV production; and advertising and sponsorship agreements. The team also advises on M&A and other corporate matters in the media sector. Clients include broadcasters, production companies, publishers and large online companies. Colin Kavanagh advises on commercial, regulatory and IP matters in the media industry, while Gavin Woods heads the contentious side of the practice and is active in defamation cases and other technology and media-related disputes.

Mason Hayes & Curran counts leading media companies among its clients, with a particular focus on acting for online and social media companies. The practice spans high-profile defamation cases and other litigation; media rights and production agreements; broadcasting regulation and licence applications to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland; and copyright issues. Michael Madden, whose clients include broadcasters, government bodies and online media companies, leads the team, which was recently bolstered by the arrival of senior associate Gráinne Morrissey, who specialises in broadcasting and telecoms law, from Squire Patton Boggs in London.

Matheson is noted for its expertise in defamation litigation and film and TV production and financing. The team also advises on competition, regulatory and freedom of information issues connected to broadcasting; animation projects; and music licensing. Clients include a wide range of domestic and international media companies and other corporates, film and TV producers and financiers, and regulatory and statutory bodies. Ruth Hunter, who has significant experience in film financing, including advising on pan-European production deals, leads the practice alongside defamation and privacy law specialist Michael Byrne.

Media defence litigation is a key area of expertise for McCann FitzGerald's 'excellent' team, which has a strong client base of international publishing, broadcasting, film and TV production, and internet companies. In addition, the team advises on broadcasting regulation, media mergers, and data protection issues. Practice head Karyn Harty has a strong reputation for representing media clients in defamation actions and other litigation; the 'very knowledgeable' Adam Finlay has particular expertise in new media and advertising and commercial broadcasting agreements; and Alan Heuston heads the growing betting and gaming practice.

Noted for its 'excellent knowledge of the Irish film industry', Philip Lee specialises in advising on film and TV financing and production. The team acts for production companies, high-profile US studios, state media agencies, and banks and financial institutions specialising in film financing. The 'approachable and knowledgeable' Brian Gormley leads the team, while Jonathan Kelly 'brings a wealth of experience'. Both have expertise across the full range of financing and production matters, including advising on the operation of film and TV tax credits. Senior associate Jessica Gorman is 'extremely capable'.

With domestic and international newspapers, broadcasters and sports bodies among its clients, William Fry has expertise across a wide range of areas, including defamation proceedings, pre-publication advice, media rights and sponsorship agreements. The practice is led by Fiona Barry, who has extensive experience in defamation, privacy, social media and reputation management, and Craig Sowman, who heads the firm's sports group. Sinéad Keavey is noted for her expertise in social media law.

A&L Goodbody has been particularly active advising major social media and internet companies, covering technology-related disputes, data privacy and protection issues, the technology aspects of M&A transactions, the protection of IP rights, and defamation proceedings. The practice is jointly led by John Whelan, John Cahir and Claire Morrissey, all of whom have expertise in technology and privacy matters.

Dillon Eustace's 'strong' team counts some of Ireland's largest newspaper publishers among its clients, and has longstanding experience of handling defamation proceedings, contempt of court actions and challenges to reporting restrictions. The team also provides pre-publication advice and assists with takedown orders, complaints by the Press Ombudsman and appeals to the Press Council. The 'highly regarded' John Doyle, whose recent work highlights include a high-profile defamation case, leads the team, and David Kavanagh is noted for his 'considerable expertise in pre and post-publication advice'.

Hayes Solicitors is well known for its representation of The Irish Times, but also advises leading brands, advertising agencies, publishers and film makers. The team provides pre-publication advice, assists with advertising and marketing matters, including agency contracts and sponsorship and licensing agreements, and handles defamation and contempt proceedings. It has also been increasingly active in advising on contract supply agreements between media organisations. 'Excellent' practice head David Phelan has expertise in pre-publication advice, advertising, media contracts and copyright.

LK Shields Solicitors has notable experience in advising film and TV production companies and studios on production, financing and distribution matters. Other key areas of expertise include music publishing, recording and merchandising deals; media regulation, particularly in relation to broadcasting and on-demand services; betting and gaming matters; and media-related disputes. Peter Bolger leads the practice; Jeanne Kelly has expertise in rights management and IP and IT issues in media mergers; and associate Aideen Burke has extensive experience in broadcasting regulation.

Eugene F. Collins is noted for its 'host of household name media clients'. The team has significant experience in defamation actions and is also active in advertising matters, including advising on misleading advertising, passing off and trade mark infringement. The practice also offers pre-publication advice. Rachel Shanley, who stands out for her 'depth of knowledge allied to practical application', specialises in defamation and media-related litigation, while the 'positive, problem-solving' David Hackett handles IP matters, particularly in relation to advertising.

Ronan Daly Jermyn's 'efficient and pragmatic' Cork-based team handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters for print, broadcasting and online media clients. The practice has been active in defamation proceedings on behalf of newspaper clients, as well as advising on significant corporate transactions, advertising and sponsorship issues, data protection, IP licensing and commercial contracts in the sctor. 'First-class operator' Darryl Broderick, who handles defamation cases and other media-related disputes, leads the practice jointly with Diarmaid Gavin, who focuses on corporate and commercial matters.