Hayes Solicitors LLP is recognised for its broad media and entertainment offering, advising across regulatory matters, rights issues and commercial arrangements. Newspapers, publishers, authors and film makers turn to the group for pre-publication legal advice on books, biographies, contemporary writing and scripts. David Phelan, who oversees the practice, advises a wide range of media clients on publication risks, agreements and content-related commercial matters. The team also supports brands and advertising agencies on contracts and copy clearance, represents plaintiffs and defendants in defamation proceedings, and assists clients with regulatory obligations.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Hayes showed great capability not just in meeting our current needs, but worked to ensure historic contracts and agreements with vendors which no longer fit our purposes could serve us into the future. They show real innovation in playing the ball where it lies to get to the required end result.’
Key clients
- NK Management
- The Irish Times
- Yellow Path Productions (podcast and film production company)
- Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc
- Tara Studios
- Ogilvy
- An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha
- Publicis
- Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland
- Newspaper Licensing Ireland Limited
- Revelate Fitness
- TBWA Dublin
Work highlights
Representing The Irish Times in all media and commercial/contractual matters, involving pre-publication review of the newspaper content, dealing with defending privacy and defamation complaints and advising on IT contractual matters.
Advising the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland on all media and technology matters that arise in the context of advertising, including drafting agreements and advising on issues around copyright, data protection and the EU AI Act.
Advising and representing celebrity talents with Noel Kelly Management, which includes advising on their agreements with TV and Radio broadcasters and various sponsors.
Lawyers
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Practice head
David Phelan