Profile
Work Department
Position
John is a reputation and brand protection lawyer with over 30 years’ experience in media and information law.
John is one of the leading lawyers in all aspects of media and information law and is actively involved at the forefront of this field.
John’s work is international and he advises clients all over the world including in the UK, US and the Middle East. He acts for A-list clients in the entertainment industry, music and sport. He also represents UHNW clients and corporate clients.
He has represented a host of well-known clients including the First Lady of the United States Melania Trump, Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Steve Coogan, and Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne. John has developed Personal Protection Principles which are used to protect clients’ reputations, their family and their security.
John is a sought after speaker on reputation protection and personal protection rights both in the UK, and internationally including in the US, Middle East and Australia. John is recognised as a ‘Leading Lawyer’ in Chambers UK, The Legal 500, Chambers High Net Worth and Spear’s Magazine and has been named ’Reputation Protection Lawyer of the Year’ by Spear’s.
Career
- Trained at Schilling & Lom, qualified 1994;
- Schilling & Lom and Partners 1992-97;
- Mushroom Records Australia Head of Legal & Business Affairs 1998-99;
- Kelly & Co Lawyers Australia Partner 1999-2005;
- Schillings Partner 2005-13;
- Harbottle & Lewis Partner 2013 to date
Memberships
Education
- University of Sheffield, LLB Hons (1991);
- College of Law Chester, Law Society Final Examination (1992);
- Admitted as a solicitor and barrister in South Australia 1999
Content supplied by Harbottle & Lewis LLP
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Gerrard Tyrrell and John Kelly are stand-out partners.’
‘The team have long-standing, wide-ranging experience in this key area of law for our clients. ’
Key clients
- Sir Richard Branson
- David and Victoria Beckham