The Warrenpoint native previously served as junior vice president under Brian Archer, who remains part of the Society’s leadership team as senior vice president. Colin Mitchell takes the role of junior vice president.

Mr Toombs heads up the insolvency and restructuring and debt recovery teams in Carson McDowell, having a particular speciality in insolvency litigation.

A graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, he was admitted to the roll of solicitors in 2000 and joined Carson McDowell three years later, becoming a partner in 2010.

He was first elected to the Law Society Council in 2015 and has served on a number of its committees, including the business committee, professional conduct committee, the contentious business committee, the future of the profession committee, and the education committee as its chair.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Toombs said: “It is an honour and privilege to become president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, especially at a time of great change facing the whole legal sector in Northern Ireland.

“Whilst there are many challenges ahead, I believe that there are many more opportunities to build a more diverse, accessible, and welcoming solicitor profession fit for purpose and responsive to the needs of local business and our community.

“This means listening and engaging more proactively with our stakeholders, decision-makers and most importantly our members to identify how best we can better support them moving forward.

“Our future is very much about investing in the next generation and as someone who has been passionate about the education and training of solicitors, I am committed to identifying ways to improve access to the legal profession and supporting those wishing to become a solicitor.”

He added: “As a practising solicitor, I am all too aware of invaluable contribution that solicitors, my friends and colleagues, make to the economy as employers and as businesses.

“Solicitors remain at the very heart of every aspect of Northern Ireland life, their contribution is often unseen and unheard, yet they provide an important role supporting business and our community.

“During my presidency I will continue to champion the excellence of our profession at home and abroad as well as promoting the importance of maintaining the network of solicitor firms, large and small, across Northern Ireland, who provide advice and access to justice to the local community and to business.”