Mr Mitchell is senior partner at McCartan Turkington Breen and served as the Society’s junior vice president under Darren Toombs for the past year.

“I am honoured to accept the office of president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland and I do so at a time of great change affecting our members,” he said.

“As a practising solicitor I am all too aware of the pressures our members now face as they attempt to navigate through an ever changing legal and economic landscape.

“One of my priorities will be to ensure that the Society is responsive to the needs of our members and committed to supporting them as best we can.

“I want to ensure that the Society remains at the forefront of justice issues in Northern Ireland representing members on issues of importance which affect them and their clients.

“We must continue the work of building a more inclusive, open, and diverse solicitor profession reflective of the needs of members and their clients.”

He added: “As I begin my presidency, I do so with a commitment to help reshape the future of the profession reflective of the needs of members, embracing change and seizing the opportunities which lie ahead.

“I hope that you will lend me your support moving forward.”

Mr Toombs, the outgoing president, will support Mr Mitchell as his senior vice-president, while Mark Borland becomes junior vice-president.