Mr Lazaro, who is qualified in Spain, Northern Ireland, Ireland and England and Wales, has extensive domestic and cross-border experience in corporate, finance and commercial law, including mergers and acquisitions, banking transactions and commercial contracts. He also has several years’ practical experience providing company secretarial advice.

He was the first Spanish lawyer to qualify in Northern Ireland as a solicitor, and in 2022 was appointed honorary vice-consul of Spain in Belfast.

He has been a member of the Irish Maritime Law Association since 2013 and he is also the current secretariat of the Consular Association of Northern Ireland.

Alison Reid, partner and office head of Gateley Legal in Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jose to Gateley Northern Ireland to help further develop our corporate and commercial offering.

“Our current deal pipeline remains strong for 2024 and with an increasing number of transactions likely to have an international element over the coming year, Jose’s arrival could not have come at a better time.

“Our corporate finance team has been growing from strength to strength, and Jose’s domestic and international experience spanning cross-border business transactions, IT & IP law, international trade and shipping law is a real feather in our cap.”

Mr Lazaro added: “I am delighted to be joining Gateley’s Belfast offering. I am looking forward to leveraging my experience and expertise in supporting its impressive portfolio of local and international businesses, investment firms, financial institutions and high net worth individuals.”

Gateley’s Belfast office is located on Donegall Square East and is home to 30 legal and professional services team members, all of whom are dual-qualified and can practise law and advise clients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.