Expertise
Ruth Hunter is a partner and head of the Entertainment Law Group at Matheson. She focuses on the area of film and television production including the negotiation and drafting of financing agreements, distribution agreements, equity and tax based financing arrangements (including Section 481 tax credit financing), talent agreements (including film rights agreements), writers agreements, actors, directors, designers and composers agreements. She also provides advice in relation to errors and omissions, insurance and music copyright clearance as well as theatre and public performance contracts, music contracts and general intellectual property issues including trademarks.
Ruth also works with banks in relation to financing arrangements for film and television.
Ruth works with Screen Producers Ireland (the film producers representative organisation in Ireland) and is a member of the Audiovisual Federation and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC).
Experience Highlights
Recent Films Ruth has worked on include:
- “Once” starring Glen Hansard (Won Oscar for Best Original Song “Falling Slowly”)
- “The Guard” starring Brendan Gleeson (Nominated for a Golden Globe)
- “Albert Nobbs” starring Glenn Close (Nominated for an Oscar)
- “Breakfast on Pluto” starring Cillian Murphy (Nominated for a Golden Globe)
- “Brendan Secret of Kells” (Animation Feature Film Nominated for an Oscar)
- “Brooklyn” starring Saoirse Ronan
- “Song of the Sea” (Animation Feature Film Nominated for an Oscar)
- “Sing Street” directed by John Carney (picked up by The Weinstein Company as US distributor. John Carney directed “Once” which won an Academy Award for Best Original Song)
- “Love and Friendship” latest Whit Stillman film starring Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny and Xavier Samuel
- "Pilgrimage" which shot in Ireland in spring 2015 starring Tom Holland (recently selected to play Spiderman), Richard Armitage and Jon Bernthal
Ruth’s television work includes:
- representing independent television producers in Ireland
- working with RTE, ITV, the BBC and Channel 4 as well as USA broadcasters such as Showtime Networks Inc and MGM Television Entertainment
- advised the producers of the four series of “The Tudors” starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers
- advised producers on the three seasons of “The Borgias” starring Jeremy Irons and written and directed by Neil Jordan
- production counsel on four seasons of “The Vikings” shot in Ireland for MGM and The History Channel
- advised in relation to long running local television drama series such as “Raw”, “Love / Hate” and “Ros na Run”
- advised Irish company Boulder Media on two seasons of a new cartoon series for Disney broadcast in 129 countries
- production counsel on three seasons of the psychosexual horror television series “Penny Dreadful” shot in Ireland for Showtime Networks Inc. The series was written by John Logan (Gladiator, The Aviator, Skyfall)
- advised in relation to reality television series such as “The Apprentice”, “Dragon’s Den”, “Masterchef” and “The Voice”
- advised in the area of live theatre, events and artists including “Riverdance The Show”
- advised companies operating under the Media Programme of the EU and the Media Desk in Ireland
Accolades
Recognised for Media Law
Best Lawyers Ireland 2018 edition
Ruth Hunter is recommended.
European Legal 500 2017
Ruth Hunter is named as an Entertainment Expert
Who's Who Legal 2016
Ruth Hunter has a celebrated reputation in the Irish media sector, with sources reporting that "she is probably the number-one film lawyer in Ireland".
Chambers Europe 2016
Ruth Hunter is "experienced in this area, with very good technical skills. She also gets on well with her clients".
Chambers Europe 2016
Ruth Hunter is recommended.
European Legal 500 2016
Media expert
Euromoney Expert Guide 2015
Ruth Hunter is "a leading practitioner in film and TV".
Chambers Europe 2015
Ruth Hunter is recommended.
European Legal 500 2015
Ruth Hunter leads the entertainment law group and advises on all aspects of film and television production.
Chambers Europe 2013
Ruth Hunter is appreciated for her practical and client-friendly approach.
European Legal 500 2013
Ruth Hunter is "very impressive".
European Legal 500 2012
Ruth Hunter is recognised as a leading lawyer by Best Lawyers and is recommended by European Legal 500.
Education
Trinity College Dublin, Bachelor of Laws
University of Cambridge, England, Master of Laws