Belfast-based McKinty and Wright has welcomed Gary Patterson, Aisling Mellona and Kevin O’Hagan to the partnership.

Mr Patterson joins the partnership from the firm’s property and commercial department. A skilled property lawyer, his work includes the negotiation of commercial leases, sales and acquisitions, corporate restructures and building developments. He is a registered Trust and Estate Practitioner and leads the firm’s life planning team.

Ms Mellon joins from the firm’s litigation team and is a key member of the firm’s casualty and motor team as well as credit hire lead. She is a defence litigation specialist for leading insurers and retail clients.

Mr O’Hagan also joins from the litigation department. He is a lead advocate in the defence litigation team, acting for leading insurers, public sector bodies, self-insured businesses and multinationals.

Lester Doake, senior partner at McKinty and Wright, said: “As a firm, we aim to recognise and reward talent, hard work and dedication, qualities displayed in abundance by our new partners - all are great additions to the partnership team at McKinty and Wright.”