Clifford Chance added Jill Kelley as a partner in New York, strengthening the firm’s entertainment and sports capabilities and its broader private capital offering.
Kelley previously served as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs for the New York Jets.
She advises professional sports teams, leagues, operators, and investors on a range of sports and league matters, including tournament and league formation, complex commercial transactions, sponsorships, naming rights deals, and media-related commercial arrangements.
Clifford Chance said Kelley’s experience gives the firm additional capabilities at the intersection of private capital, sports, media, entertainment, regulation, and league governance.
Her appointment comes as investor activity across sports, media, and entertainment continues to grow.
Kelley brings experience working from inside a professional sports franchise as well as advising clients across the wider sports ecosystem.
The firm said that combination will support investors and other clients evaluating transactions and strategic opportunities in the sector.
Kelley is Clifford Chance’s tenth private capital partner hire globally in 2026.
She is also the latest addition to the firm’s expanding U.S. private capital team.
Earlier 2026 hires included tax partner Adriana Zhan, private equity partner Michal Netanyahu, and funds partner Chris Phillips-Hart.
Clifford Chance has more than 450 attorneys across New York, Washington, D.C., Houston, and São Paulo.
Its Americas practice advises clients on U.S., Latin American, and cross-border transactional, regulatory, and disputes matters across sectors including private capital, financial services, healthcare and life sciences, technology, infrastructure, and energy.
KEY QUOTES:
“Jill’s arrival strengthens our global private capital offering as we see an acceleration in client activity within sports, media and entertainment. Her experience at the intersection of complex transactions, industry regulation and league governance brings a differentiated perspective to global investors wanting to gain advantage in this market.”
Spencer Baylin, Global Head of Private Equity at Clifford Chance
“Few lawyers have experienced professional sports from inside a league franchise and then advised clients across the broader sports ecosystem. Jill understands not only the commercial opportunities driving the industry, but also the governance frameworks and strategic considerations that shape how teams, leagues and investors operate. That perspective is enormously valuable for clients navigating an increasingly dynamic sports landscape.”
Neil Barlow, Private Equity Partner at Clifford Chance
“Clifford Chance has been at the forefront of some of the most significant transactions in sport. It’s a privilege to join the firm and work alongside such a talented team. The firm’s global platform and momentum across entertainment and sports is unrivalled, and I look forward to supporting clients navigating opportunities in the sector.”
Jill Kelley, Partner at Clifford Chance
