Appointments

Jonathan Lynam has been elected as president of the Southern Law Association (SLA) for 2026. Mr Lynam was elected to succeed Dermot Kelly in the top role at the association's recent AGM and will be supported by Barry Kelleher as vice-president.

Solicitor Sarah Grace has joined the board of Beyond Surviving, a survivor-led charity offering support for those affected by domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence. Ms Grace, a corporate lawyer and certified yoga teacher, has been appointed to the board as legal trustee alongside the appointme

More than a dozen adjudication officers have been appointed to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in a milestone for its enforcement powers. The panel of 16 independent adjudication officers were appointed by the enterprise, tourism and employment minister Peter Burke with eff

IP firm Murgitroyd has appointed Mary White as a director of trade marks. Ms White brings extensive experience in Irish, UK and EU trade mark law, with a strong track record advising clients across a wide range of sectors.

Eversheds Sutherland has recruited Robert Dever and Mary Gavin as partners in Dublin. The appointments are the first senior hires since the integration of the Irish practice into the firm's international business in September.

Northern Ireland firm Davidson McDonnell has doubled the size of its corporate team after welcoming five new members this year. The commercial law firm, which recently marked 10 years since its foundation in Belfast, now has a 10-strong team specialising in corporate transactions.

John O'Kelly has been elected as chairperson of the Belfast Solicitors' Association (BSA). Mr O'Kelly, a partner in Belfast-based HHD Solicitors, was elected at yesterday's BSA AGM to succeed outgoing chairperson Robert Croskery.

Will Carmody has been re-elected as managing partner of Mason Hayes & Curran for a second term. Mr Carmody took the reins in January 2023 after over 20 years with the business law firm, at the time leading its financial services practice.

Human rights lawyer Noeline Blackwell has been appointed as an expert adviser to Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman. The former CEO of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre will assist the watchdog as an expert adviser on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Northern Ireland firm Allsopp Campbell Rainey has appointed Carla Fraser as partner and head of family law. Ms Fraser brings with her more than a decade of specialist experience across complex matrimonial, divorce, and Children NI Order matters, including high-profile and sensitive cases.

Belfast-based Phoenix Law has promoted immigration lawyer Sinead Marmion to partner. Ms Marmion joined the firm in 2019 and heads its immigration and asylum department, acting in several high-profile and complex cases including the landmark challenge to the UK's Rwanda policy and the Illegal Migrati

David Widger has been re-elected by the partners of A&L Goodbody LLP to serve a second four-year term as managing partner from May 2026. Mr Widger assumed the leadership of the firm in May 2022, having joined the firm as a trainee in 1992 and becoming a partner in 2001.

Mark Borland has been elected as president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Mr Borland is a senior partner at Antrim-based Conway Todd & Co and has more than 30 years’ experience in conveyancing, property, wills and probate.

Northern Ireland firm Carson McDowell has promoted eight senior associates to its newly-established role of legal director.

Johnsons has promoted Darragh Carney and Bradley Duncan to partner with effect from today. Mr Carney and Mr Duncan, who have been promoted from senior associate, both completed their training contracts with Johnsons and have spent their entire professional careers with the firm’s insurance lit