Harbottle & Lewis LLP

Media and Information Group

John Kelly is recognised as a leading litigator who specialises in the area of reputation protection, privacy and defamation.Having been involved in many of the most high profile cases and developments in this area, John is recognised as a leading practitioner by Chambers UK, Chambers HNW, The Legal 500 and The Spear’s 500.

John works with clients to protect their rights and reputations. Whilst much of John’s work is confidential he represents a number of high-profile individuals, well-known brands, and FTSE 100 companies.

Personal clients include High Net Worth individuals, successful entrepreneurs, as well as leading individuals in the entertainment industry, music and sport. John has represented a host of well-known clients including Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Steve Coogan, Russell Brand and Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne. John has developed Personal Protection Principles which are used to protect clients reputations, their family and their security.

Corporate clients include leading consumer brands, as well as companies in the financial services and charity sector. Work for corporate clients includes corporate brand protection, advising on the media law aspects of complex litigation, and the protection of private and confidential information in such cases. In addition to this John has extensive experience of dealing with consumer affairs television programmes.

John is well-known in the area of sports law and acts for premiership and international football clubs, players, owners, managers, agents as well as governing bodies.

John is a regular speaker on Reputation Protection and Personal Protection rights both in the UK and internationally including in the US and Australia.

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

Law Society of South Australia

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

The Ivy Club