The present invention provides an organic metal complex having high heat resistance while making it possible to realize electroluminescence with high quantum efficiency as a light-emitting material for organic electroluminescent (EL) element. The present invention relates to an organic iridium complex for an organic EL element, wherein a C—N ligand including a substituent of a tricyclic-based structure obtained by condensing a heterocyclic ring and two benzene rings, and a β-diketone ligand composed of a propane-1,3-dione having two tert-butyl-substituted phenyl groups are coordinated with an iridium atom. The complex of the present invention has high heat resistance and contributes to lifetime prolongation of the organic EL element.