Mr McBride will further strengthen Arthur Cox’s Corporate and Commercial team, which is headed by former Managing Partner and current Chairman Alan Taylor.

With over 25 years’ experience of corporate finance practice, Mr McBride will join Arthur Cox later this year.

Speaking of the appointment, Catriona Gibson, Managing Partner at Arthur Cox’s Belfast office, said: “Arthur Cox is one of the largest and most respected law firms in Northern Ireland. Our scale and expertise is unsurpassed in the local market, and Paul’s arrival will further enhance the first-class service levels we deliver for clients.

“Paul is joining a highly-talented, technically-astute and dedicated team of lawyers that provides intelligent counsel to major corporates, SMEs and Government bodies.

“Paul’s insight will further bolster what is already one of Northern Ireland’s foremost corporate practices.”

He advised Terra Firma on the sale of Phoenix Natural Gas to Hastings and led the team advising W&R Barnett Limited on its acquisition of the molasses trading and bulk liquid storage business of Tate & Lyle plc.

Alan Taylor, Chairman and Head of Corporate and Commercial at Arthur Cox, said:

“Arthur Cox’s corporate and commercial team is at the heart of the most prominent deals taking place in local marketplace, making us the ‘go-to’ firm for trusted legal advice.

“Paul’s appointment is a landmark development for the legal sector in Northern Ireland and his expertise will add to our ability to ensure the successful completion of any kind of transaction.”