UK firm TLT has announced its expansion into employment law following the appointment of Leeanne Armstrong as a legal director in Belfast.

The move comes just months after TLT appointed its first corporate partner in Belfast in January.

TLT now offers clients a full service employment office out of its Belfast office, backed up by its national team of employment experts.

Ms Armstrong (pictured) was previously an associate in the Belfast office of international law firm Pinsent Masons, where she advised private and public sector clients on a variety of employment issues.

Her experience includes supporting clients with tribunal claims; employment litigation; TUPE; redundancy; absence management; grievance and disciplinary procedures; equality and diversity issues; unfair dismissal; multi million pound M&A and outsourcing.

Ms Armstrong has also delivered internal and external training for the likes of Queen’s University Belfast and the Ulster Law Clinic and is an active member of the local business community, having spoken at events on behalf of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and the Legal Island Annual Review of Employment Law.

Katharine Kimber, head of TLT NI, said: “Our expansion into new areas demonstrates our ambitions in the NI legal market and the opportunities available to grow and develop our practice.

“We’ve built a strong offering and continue to attract some of the best qualified lawyers in their field, which means we can offer clients an exceptional service. Leeanne is a fantastic addition to the team and we are delighted to welcome her to TLT.”

Stuart McBride, head of employment, pensions and incentives, added: “We have always had ambitions to offer a truly national employment offering; Leeanne’s appointment means that we can offer clients a seamless service across all markets and a local expert in NI at a time when employment law is changing rapidly to reflect modern ways of working.”

Ms Armstrong said: “I am incredibly excited to be joining TLT. It has a strong track record in NI with lots of opportunities for growth, and a vibrant and energetic team. The employment team has a reputation for offering some of the best standards in training, support and advice in the areas where clients need it the most, and I am looking forward to being a part of that and supporting our clients with a presence in NI.”