Appointments

Belfast firm Cleaver Fulton Rankin has recruited Nick Bennett as an associate in the firm's employment and immigration department. Mr Bennett has been practising as an immigration solicitor since 2019 and brings over 12 years' experience in immigration services to the firm, having spent time working

Mercy Law Resource Centre has appointed Dr Freda Grealy as its new managing solicitor. Dr Grealy takes the reins of the independent law centre, which provides free legal advice to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, from Aoife Kelly-Desmond, who recently left to take up a new role as

International law firm Taylor Wessing has promoted Dannie Hanna and Jo Joyce to partners in its Dublin office. The pair are among 10 new partners appointed across the firm's global network and will take up their new roles from 1 May 2025.

The Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA) has appointed Andrew Harbison as director of digital investigations and analytics. Mr Harbison is one of the most experienced practitioners in the fields of digital investigations and electronic discovery in Ireland.

Lewis Silkin has promoted Declan Groarke and Niamh Crotty to senior roles in its Dublin office. Mr Groarke has been promoted to managing associate in the firm's immigration and global mobility practice, which supports both employers and private clients with their immigration needs.

Solicitor and former Belfast City Council chief executive Peter McNaney has been appointed as a non-executive member to the board of Belfast Harbour Commissioners. Mr McNaney practised as a corporate lawyer for 20 years prior to serving as chief executive of Belfast City Council for 13 years.

Claire McAleer and Naomi White have been appointed to leadership roles in the Law Society of Northern Ireland's newly-established women's network. Ms McAleer, who will serve as chair of the network, returned to legal practice in 2022 after an eight-year break. She has a background in supporting wome

Solicitor Dr Muiris Ó Céidigh has been appointed to the Property Services Appeal Board. A governance expert, Dr Ó Céidigh previously served for eight years as a member of the Property Services Regulatory Authority.

Northern Ireland firm Wilson Nesbitt has appointed Neil Cahill as partner and head of dispute resolution. Mr Cahill joins from Fieldfisher in Dublin, where he was director of the litigation and dispute resolution team. Prior to that, he was head of disputes for UK and EMEA within ALT at Herbert Smit

The Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) has promoted five lawyers to the role of principal solicitor in the State property division.

Northern Ireland's Labour Relations Agency (LRA) has strengthened its independent appeals hearing service with a new governance framework and 16 new panel chairs. The independent appeals service is one of a suite of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services provided by the LRA, mostly to organis

Solicitor Catherine Chambers has been appointed to the board of Northern Ireland's Education Authority (EA). Mrs Chambers has over 20 years' experience as a solicitor with specialist educational law experience, having worked as a partner in private practice and subsequently as a solicitor in the Edu

Brian Kennedy SC has been appointed as the inaugural chief adjudication officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC). Mr Kennedy has practised as a barrister in Ireland for over 27 years, having called to the Bar in 1997 and to the Inner Bar in 2012.

Ciarán Finn has been promoted to legal counsel at I-RES following the completion of his solicitor traineeship. Mr Finn began his traineeship with the Law Society of Ireland and I-RES general counsel Anna-Marie Curry in December 2022.

Lavelle Partners LLP has welcomed four new solicitors following the completion of their traineeships with the firm. Liam Tully, now a property solicitor, has a particular focus on the acquisition, disposal, leasing and financing of both commercial and residential property.