Hogan Lovells has announced the addition of Jill Kelley as a new partner in its Corporate & Finance practice, based out of New York. With a distinguished career that includes a five-year stint at the New York Jets, Kelley is poised to bring a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role.

Kelley’s background is rich and varied, having served as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs for the Jets. During her tenure, she played a critical role in managing a broad array of legal and strategic issues, ranging from data privacy and regulatory compliance to stadium operations and high-level negotiations.

The inclusion of Kelley into Hogan Lovells’ team marks a significant boost to its sports, media, and entertainment group, which is renowned for handling high-value transactions and transformative projects across the sports industry. James Doyle, Head of the Corporate & Finance practice at Hogan Lovells, highlighted Kelley’s extensive experience in sports law, sports betting, and Native American tribal investments as invaluable assets that will enhance the firm’s service offerings in these areas.

Before her role with the Jets, Kelley was the General Counsel at PointsBet USA, where she oversaw complex cross-border transactions involving digital payments, banking, SaaS, and league licensing deals. She also served as Senior Legal Counsel at Foxwoods Resort Casino, owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.

Craig Umbaugh, Global Head of Hogan Lovells’ Sports, Media and Entertainment Sector, praised Kelley’s comprehensive experience in various high-profile legal roles. “Jill’s expertise in negotiating complex agreements across diverse sectors like sports teams, stadiums, casinos, and gaming and technology companies will greatly benefit our clients,” he stated.

Bill Curtin, Practice Area Lead for M&A at Hogan Lovells, emphasized the firm’s leading position in sports-related deals and expressed enthusiasm about deepening its expertise with Kelley’s arrival.

Kelley joins Hogan Lovells at a time of strategic growth within its New York office, alongside other recent high-profile additions such as Edward So and Natalie Edwards. Michael Kuh, Office Managing Partner in New York, expressed his excitement about Kelley joining the team and the valuable role she is expected to play as the firm continues to expand.

Reflecting on her new role, Kelley shared her enthusiasm. “I’m thrilled to join Hogan Lovells and contribute to a team known for its distinguished reputation in the sports sector. I look forward to bringing a diverse perspective to a group that is not only 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, known for its deep industry knowledge and cross-border capabilities in complex litigation, regulatory, and transactional matters. The firm serves major players in sectors including life sciences, financial services, technology, and energy, blending local insight with global reach.