Hogan Lovells Recruits Jill Kelley as Corporate & Finance Partner in New York.
Hogan Lovells is pleased to announce the strategic appointment of Jill Kelley as a partner within its Corporate & Finance practice, based in the New York office. Ms. Kelley brings extensive experience, having previously served for five years as a pivotal legal professional for the New York Jets.
Ms. Jill Kelley brings a unique combination of legal expertise, C-suite strategy, and practical experience within the professional sports, gaming, and emerging technology industries.
At the Jets, she served as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs, working side-by-side with leadership on everything from data privacy and regulatory compliance to stadium operations and high-stakes negotiations.
Ms. Kelley's arrival strengthens Hogan Lovells’ already robust sports, media, and entertainment group, one that’s become a go-to legal team for high-value deals and transformative projects across the sports landscape.
“Jill further enhances our market-leading sports practice in the United States. In addition to her recent experience in the NFL, she also has considerable experience in sports betting and Native American tribal investment.” said James Doyle, Head of the Corporate & Finance practice.
But Kelley’s career extends far beyond the NFL. Before joining the Jets, she was General Counsel at PointsBet USA, where she oversaw complex cross-border transactions in digital payments, banking, SaaS, and league licensing deals.
She also served as Senior Legal Counsel at Foxwoods Resort Casino, a global gaming powerhouse owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.
Her legal resume reads like a tour of the most dynamic corners of modern sports and entertainment law and Hogan Lovells took notice.
“From her time at the Jets, Jill has invaluable experience at the C-Suite level at one of the top ten most valuable sports assets in the world. Her experience negotiating complex agreements across sports teams, stadiums, casinos, and gaming and technology companies, will benefit a wide range of clients operating in these vibrant and growing markets.” said Craig Umbaugh, Global Head of the firm’s Sports, Media and Entertainment Sector.
Bill Curtin, Practice Area Lead for M&A, emphasized the firm’s continued dominance in high-stakes sports deals:
“We have one of the leading global sports practices, having broken successive multi-billion-dollar valuation records in control acquisitions across multiple sports. We are excited that Jill is joining us to deepen our reputation as the go-to law firm for investors in the sector.”
Kelley’s arrival also highlights Hogan Lovells’ strategic growth in New York. She joins a wave of recent talent additions, including Edward So and Natalie Edwards, both of whom joined the Corporate & Finance team earlier this year.
For Michael Kuh, Office Managing Partner in New York and a senior partner in the sports group, the timing couldn’t be better:
“I am so pleased to welcome Jill to New York. She joins at an exciting time and I’m confident she’ll play an important role was we continue to expand here."
For Kelley, the move marks a new chapter, but one built on the foundation of years spent navigating the unique intersection of sports, law, and innovation.
“I’m thrilled to join Hogan Lovells and contribute to a team with a distinguished reputation in the sports sector, one of the strongest global platforms in law, and a truly collaborative ethos. With my experience, I’m excited to bring a diverse perspective to a group that’s not just advising on the future of the sports industry, but helping to shape it.”
Hogan Lovells is a global law firm with over 2,600 lawyers across six continents, offering top-tier legal services in complex litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters. Known for its deep industry knowledge and cross-border capabilities, the firm partners with clients to solve their toughest legal challenges and drive strategic growth. Hogan Lovells serves major players in life sciences, financial services, technology, energy, and beyond, combining local insight with global reach.
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