Zoë is a Partner working within the Litigation department. Zoë commenced working with Fanning and Kelly in February 2009. Zoe has worked in the area of media and entertainment law for over 16 years.
Zoë advises the largest media organisations on the island of Ireland including national and regional newspapers, magazine publishers and online news providers on all aspects of media law including pre-publication / post publication advice; defamation, privacy, copyright, regulatory matters and contempt law.
Experience
Zoë handles the full spectrum of media and entertainment law issues spanning contentious and non-contentious matters. She specialises in defending claims in the areas of media and defamation law and general litigation.
Zoë advises the largest newspaper publishers, broadcasters, all the major book publishing houses, and video producers, both domestic and international. Zoë provides real time advice concerning news articles and news broadcasts. Advice is provided on tight deadlines due to the nature of broadcasting and online publication.
Zoë has been involved in numerous high profile defamation and privacy cases defending media clients’ publication and freedom of expression rights, many of which have resulted in the establishment of significant precedents in the context of both the print and online media.
Zoë alongside Kieran Kelly has advised major newspaper publisher on contentious litigation matters inter alia defending defamation and privacy claims. Zoë has been involved in cases in the Circuit and High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Zoë has worked on a number of well-publicised defamation and privacy cases defending media clients’ publications and freedom of expression rights, many of which have resulted in the establishment of significant precedents in the context of both the print and online media.
In the Legal 500 2025 Guide, the Media & Entertainment team received a Tier 1 ranking. Zoe features as a 'Recommended Lawyer'. The team were also ranked in the Chambers & Partners 2025 Europe Guide.
Recent
Precedent establishing cases;
- Ruth Hickey v Sunday Newspapers Limited;
- William McClean v Sunday Newspapers Limited;
- Cornec v Morrice & Ors;
- Paul White v Sunday Newspapers Limited;
- Paul White v Independent Star Limited;
More recent cases;
- Dana Rosemary Scallon v Independent News & Media plc;
- Paudie Coffey v Iconic Newspapers Limited;
- Michael Reilly v Iconic Newspapers Limited;
- Judicial Review proceedings
Education
- BA, National University of Ireland, Galway, 2004
- LLB Law, National University of Ireland, Galway, 2005
Memberships
- Law Society of Ireland
- Law Society of England and Wales