Appointments

Lavelle Partners LLP has welcomed newly-qualified solicitors Erin Barrett and James Lawless to its property team. The pair join the firm as property solicitors following the successful completion of their traineeships, during which they gained strong practical experience and commercial awareness.

Tralee firm Pierse McCarthy Lucey LLP Solicitors has welcomed experienced solicitor Clare Dowling to its team as an associate. Ms Dowling qualified as a solicitor in 2008, having completed her LLB in law and European studies at the University of Limerick in 2001, followed by further diplomas from th

Employment law firm McInnes Dunne Murphy LLP has promoted Fiona Sharkey to partner. Currently a senior associate, Ms Sharkey joined the firm in October 2023, having trained with and practised in the employment law team of a major Irish law firm.

Co Mayo firm J.V. Geary Solicitors LLP has appointed Patricia Lally as a partner. Ms Lally joins managing partner John Geary and fellow partner Ita Feeney in the leadership of the Castlebar-based firm amid growing demand for its legal services across the West of Ireland and beyond.

Philip Lee LLP has promoted Elaine Whelan, Michael Cahill, Tamara Mitchell and Keelin Gavagan to partner and Kate McNamara to of counsel. The latest round of promotions brings the firm's total number of partners to more than 50 for the first time.

Intellectual property firm Murgitroyd has strengthened its senior leadership team with three appointments. The firm has appointed Camilla Jagger as its chief operating officer, David Goldsby as its chief technology officer and Russell Flanders as its commercial director.

A leading criminology expert at Ulster University has been appointed to the Probation Board for Northern Ireland. Dr Brian Payne is a senior lecturer in criminology and criminal justice, and subject lead for criminology at Ulster University.

Whitney Moore has recruited Lorna McAuliffe as head of insurance and litigation. Ms McAuliffe brings over 30 years of experience in commercial litigation, insurance law, and dispute resolution, advising both domestic and international clients.

Fee-share law firm Excello has welcomed David Wilson as a new partner in its Northern Ireland team. Mr Wilson's appointment coincides with the expansion of the firm's office space in Belfast city centre, one year on from its formal opening.

Lewis Silkin has expanded its Irish employment law practice with the appointment of Sarah Lawn and Sinead Likely as senior associates and Jacqueline Ho as managing knowledge lawyer. Ms Lawn will help domestic and multinational clients navigate complex and evolving employment law regulation.

Holmes O’Malley Sexton LLP has promoted Claire Tuohy to partner and head of probate. Ms Tuohy joined the firm in 2017, having previously worked with a leading private client team in the UK.

Irish peer-to-peer property lending platform Property Bridges has appointed Claire McCormack as head of legal. Property Bridges has expanded significantly in recent years, funding an increasing number of property projects across Ireland.

Seán Brassil has been promoted to general counsel at the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). Mr Brassil, who practised as a barrister before joining the IRFU in 2015, brings extensive legal expertise and a deep understanding of sports law to his new role.

International legal and professional services firm Walkers has named Nicholas Blake-Knox as its new managing partner for Ireland. The asset management and investment funds lawyer will succeed Jonathan Sheehan from 30 April 2026, leading Walkers' Ireland office of over 200 staff members.

McCann FitzGerald has appointed nine new of counsel, with eight promoted from the rank of senior associate and one joining the firm. Those promoted are Grace Armstrong and Clementine Farrell in disputes, Orla Courtney and Emma Hinds in real estate and construction, Kate Clancy and Sarah Pickering in