Ms Galbraith succeeds Joanne Hyde, who has led the team since 2010 — the same year Ms Galbraith joined the firm as a trainee solicitor.

The pair will continue to work together alongside fellow employment partners Marie Claire Scullion and Ian MacFarland as well as other employment law specialists.

Separately, Ms Galbraith has also been elected as chair of the Employment Law Association of Ireland (ELAI), succeeding Linda Hynes.

In her day-to-day role, Ms Galbraith advises key Irish and international businesses on all aspects of the employment relationship from recruitment to termination. She advises HR, legal and business teams on strategic issues such as disciplinary matters, grievances, performance management, equality, data protection and business transfers.

She also regularly speaks to the national media about employment topics.

Eversheds Sutherland managing partner Alan Connell said: “Julie joined Eversheds Sutherland as a trainee and has made a significant contribution over the years to our growing firm, helping us to not only meet but stay ahead of our clients’ needs.

“Our position in the market as the largest and most established international law firm in Ireland, and a global top 10 law firm, has been bolstered by our market-leading employment team – an accolade owing to Joanne Hyde’s vision, strategy and hard work, coupled with Julie’s ongoing commitment to growing and strengthening her practice area.

“It is no surprise that Julie has also been selected as the new chair of the Employment Law Association of Ireland, given the professionalism, dedication and ambition she has demonstrated within the firm.

“I would like to thank Joanne for her incredible leadership of our employment law offering that has resulted in our market-leading position and congratulate Julie on her new roles as head of our employment team and chair of the ELAI. I wish her every success with these important positions within the Irish employment law sector.”

Ms Galbraith added: “I am delighted to be appointed as the head of employment, especially at a time when we are growing both in size and expertise to serve our expanding client base.

“Looking back over more than a decade in the firm, I am proud of all that we have achieved and grateful for my clients, colleagues and experiences that have shaped the employment lawyer I am today.

“This is a responsibility I take very seriously and, in particular, I would like to thank Joanne Hyde for her ongoing support, guidance and friendship, and also my family for their unwavering support.

“In a global economy, it is also a great privilege to be able to use my voice nationally and internationally to represent Irish employment law practitioners in my role as chairperson of the ELAI. My goal is to extend the great work of those who have sat in the chair before me, especially Linda Hynes.”