Philip Lee promotions lift partner ranks beyond 50 as construction and real estate demand grows
Firm strengthens projects, construction and real estate capability following recent Cork merger
28 January 2026 | 📧 editor@breakingground.news
Commercial law firm Philip Lee LLP has promoted four new partners and appointed one senior lawyer to of counsel, taking the firm’s total number of partners beyond 50 for the first time. The promotions come as the firm reports continued growth in demand across construction, real estate and infrastructure-related legal services.
The newly promoted partners are Elaine Whelan in real estate, Michael Cahill in projects and construction, Tamara Mitchell in media, and Keelin Gavagan in corporate. Kate McNamara has been appointed of counsel in the firm’s real estate practice.
The appointments follow Philip Lee’s recent merger with Cork-based BHK Solicitors LLP, which has expanded the firm’s regional presence and increased its capacity in key growth areas, including development, public procurement and major infrastructure delivery.
For the construction and development sector, the promotion of Michael Cahill to partner is a notable move. Based in both Dublin and the firm’s newly established Cork office, Cahill advises on contentious and non-contentious construction matters, with particular expertise in construction litigation, public procurement challenges, judicial review and health and safety law. His experience spans major infrastructure, residential, healthcare, energy and PPP projects, working with public authorities, developers and contractors under all standard forms of construction contract used in Ireland.
The firm has also strengthened its real estate offering, which now includes eight partners. Elaine Whelan, promoted to partner in the real estate team, advises developers, institutional investors, asset managers and lenders across commercial and residential property, with a strong focus on development, commercial leasing and renewable energy projects. She has particular expertise in the property law aspects of renewable infrastructure and has held senior roles within the Law Society, including chair of its landlord and tenant subcommittee.
Kate McNamara’s appointment as of counsel further bolsters the firm’s real estate capability. She advises on commercial leasing, acquisitions and disposals, development schemes, secured finance and residential conveyancing, and regularly acts for public bodies, lenders and developers. She also supports corporate transactions, including share and asset sales linked to property-backed deals.
While outside the core construction sphere, the promotion of Tamara Mitchell in media and Keelin Gavagan in corporate reflects wider diversification within the firm. Gavagan’s work in mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructurings is closely aligned with development-led transactions and investment structures common in the construction and property sectors.
Commenting on the promotions, managing partner Jonathan Kelly said reaching 50 partners marked “a significant moment” for the firm. He said the appointments reflected growing client demand and positioned Philip Lee for further expansion in Dublin, Cork and internationally.
For contractors, developers and infrastructure clients, the latest promotions signal a continued build-up of specialist legal capacity in areas central to project delivery, procurement risk, real estate development and regulatory compliance across Ireland’s construction and built environment sectors.
