Shannon Gawley

Ms Gawley is a solicitor in the commercial team at Carson McDowell who is currently on secondment to Invest NI. She is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast and obtained her professional qualification from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies.

She was elected to succeed past chair Ruaidhrí Austin of Lacey Solicitors, who remains a member of the new committee, at the association’s 2023 AGM, which took place at Law Society House yesterday.

The other committee members are Ellen Forester of Tughans Solicitors; Hannah Stewart of Carson McDowell; Emma Falloon of Kennedys Law; Ross White of GRAHAM Group; William Wilson and Shannan Greer, both of Thompson Crooks; Oonagh Lavery of EJ Lavery & Co Solicitors; and Katherine Grant of Carson McDowell.

Commenting on her election, Ms Gawley told Irish Legal News: “I am delighted and deeply honoured to have been elected as chair of the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors’ Association for the coming year.

“My sincerest appreciation and thanks to our immediate past chair, Ruaidhrí Austin, for his hard work and dedication throughout the last year in advancing the interests of our members.

“I would also like to thank the outgoing committee members William Nugent (Thompson Crooks), Natasha Moffett (DAC Beachcroft), Robert Bellingham (Addleshaw Goddard) and Colleen Ward (JMK Solicitors) for their tireless efforts and assistance they have provided to the association throughout the past number of years.

“Finally, I would like to sincerely thank and express my gratitude to the Law Society of Northern Ireland for their long-standing support of the NIYSA.”

She continued: “The past few years have been a challenging time for many in the legal profession, particularly for our members starting off in their careers.

“As we navigate through the implications of Covid-19, the cost-of-living crisis and any other hurdles life might bring us, it is my hope that the NIYSA will continue to flourish as an association and show the resilience, integrity and tenacity of spirit that young solicitors in Northern Ireland have.

“Looking to the year ahead, with the help of the newly elected committee, I am excited to build on the great work of the association to date and will endeavour to continue to strengthen long-lasting networks with our counterparts in the UK, Ireland and our colleagues across Europe and further afield.”