Our people

Deborah Kelly

She is hardworking, technically astute and consistently delivers clear and practical advice." Chambers, Europe 2025

Partner, Head of Corporate (Ireland)
Dublin, Ireland

Expertise

Deborah is Head of the Corporate team in Ireland and brings over 20 years experience advising on all aspects of corporate and commercial law. She has particular experience in acting for a wide range of clients including developers, investors and corporates on strategic investments, joint ventures and M&A transactions. Deborah has significant expertise in advising shareholders on structuring and executing strategic investments and has guided clients through the complexities of same.

Her practice encompasses the full spectrum of corporate transactions, from mergers and acquisitions and private equity investments to corporate restructurings and public-private partnerships (PPPs). Deborah is highly experienced in negotiating and drafting commercial agreements and regularly advises on corporate governance matters, including Directors Compliance Policies and best practice approaches to board culture and oversight.

She is a trusted adviser to boards of directors, providing strategic guidance on governance frameworks and compliance with evolving regulatory standards. She also advises boards of directors on Directors Compliance Policies and provides guidance on the appropriate corporate governance approach and culture on boards of directors.

Recent experience includes advising:

Valsoft on its acquisition by Celtrino.
Aerospace Software Developments on its acquisition by Descartes Systems Group.
ILOS Energy in relation to the acquisition of two large-scale Solar farms in Ireland.
Colas on various strategic JV agreements with partners.
The Brooks Group in relation to the acquisition of Kildare Builders Suppliers Ltd.
Tifco Hotel Group on the sale and acquisition of various assets and on a significant restructuring of the group
Inflexion on the acquisition of Village Vets, an Irish family run business and the largest independent group of veterinary practices in Ireland.
Q-Park on its acquisition of the Tazbell Group, including Park Rite Limited and Dublin Street Parking Services.

Education

Admitted as a solicitor in 1999
LL.B (Hons) (1992), Trinity College Dublin
Masters in European Competition Law (1994) Karls Recht Universität, Germany

Testimonials

"She is hardworking, technically astute and consistently delivers clear and practical advice."
Chambers, 2025

"Deborah is truely exceptional"
Legal 500, 2025

"Deborah has experience beyond her years. Her efficiency at progressing transactions whilst highlighting and solving complex issues is very impressive. She is clear and concise in her advice which is always tailored to the client’s business."
Legal 500, 2024

"Deborah could not have been more helpful. We had complete trust in her advice at all stages and we felt she represented us extremely well. At times, she was needed to bring back discussions to a common-sense approach and did so very well."
Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

"Deborah is excellent in every respect."
Legal 500 EMEA, 2022

“Deborah is an excellent adviser no matter what the issue. She is analytical and clear in her advice and she will bring in other specialisms when required and will ensure the best result is achieved consistently on her cases. She will go the extra mile and does so every time.”
Legal 500 EMEA, 2021

“Deborah is a very calm and experienced lawyer.”
Chambers Europe, 2021

“Deborah’s positive, can-do attitude, attention to detail and commercial approach to matters has been the driving force in getting the deal over the line. She gives excellent and clear advice which is value adding and she is always available to clients and advisers alike. There are no issues which can’t be resolved when Deborah is on the team – she is problem solving and thinks outside the box.”
Legal 500 EMEA, 2020

“Deborah is particularly knowledgeable in matters pertaining to pre-sale reorganisations, share capital reductions and business transfer agreements.”
Chambers Europe, 2020

Clients describe her as “approachable and commercially astute”
Chambers Europe, 2019

“Deborah Kelly has a strong track record working with clients on M&A, joint ventures and private equity. She routinely represents clients from the life sciences, energy and technology spheres.”
Chambers Europe, 2018

Professional memberships

Member of Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats (AIJA) and the German-Irish Chamber of Commerce in Dublin. Deborah is a proficient German speaker.
Deborah worked as a legal assistant in the Commercial department of Norton Rose Vieregge (formerly Gaedertz Vieregge Quack & Kreile) in Cologne, Germany.

Publications