Appointments

Northern Ireland's most senior government lawyer, Hugh Widdis, has been appointed as permanent secretary of the Department of Justice. Mr Widdis is currently the head of the Government Legal Service for Northern Ireland and the Departmental Solicitor for the Northern Ireland Executive.

Mark Connaughton SC has been appointed as the independent chair of the new Paediatric Spinal Taskforce. The government has established the multi-stakeholder taskforce in a bid to cut waiting times for children who need spinal surgery.

Belfast-based commercial law firm Davidson McDonnell has appointed Raymond Duddy and Barbara Creed as directors. The independent law firm said the senior strategic appointments will bolster its strength in corporate practice and commercial dispute resolution, and follow a period of continued growth.

Two women have made company history by becoming the first newly-qualified solicitors to complete Lewis Silkin's training programme in Belfast. The firm first offered its two training contracts in 2022 to Sarah Mohan and Megan Kerr, who now hold the historic position of being the firm's first home-gr

DWF has appointed Lisa O'Brien, Sarah Falvey and Rory Dunne as senior associates in its insurance, global risks and professional indemnity team in Ireland. The trio have joined the global legal business to supplement the global speciality and financial risks and major injury and casualty practices.

Dr Brian Tobin has been promoted to associate professor/senior lecturer at University of Galway School of Law. A lecturer in family and child law as well as equity and trusts, he previously received the CBPPL Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in 2023 and the Dean's Award for Inclusive Te

William Fry has appointed Derina Bannon as a consultant in the firm's asset management and investment funds department. Ms Bannon has extensive experience advising on legal and regulatory obligations across the asset management sector, having worked on various legal, regulatory and advisory projects

The Maples Group has appointed Blessing Buraimoh as its first-ever global diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) lead. Ms Buraimoh, who is based in London, will work with the group's leadership teams and local DEI committees — including in Ireland — to advise, evolve and lead the implemen

Québec lawyer Bryan O'Gallagher has been appointed by the Irish government as honorary consul to Québec. Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the appointment, alongside the appointment of a new honorary consul to Edmonton and Alberta, is a "sign of the enduring deep bonds our two

Judge Anne Marshall has been appointed to serve on the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission (NIJAC). She will serve as one of the five judicial members of the 12-member commission for a five-year term until 10 March 2029.

Dublin firm Clarke Jeffers Solicitors has appointed family lawyer Breda Storey as a partner. Ms Storey joined the firm in December 2015 before beginning her studies at the Law Society of Ireland in September 2016. She was admitted to the roll of solicitors in December 2018.

Belfast-based MKB Law has welcomed Joanne Moore as a solicitor in the firm's property and conveyancing team. Ms Moore undertakes work for private clients and specialises in all aspects of residential conveyancing. Her experience includes new build purchases, co-ownership transactions, purchases unde

Belfast-based O'Reilly Stewart Solicitors has announced a double appointment, with Thomas Greenaway taking up the role of associate solicitor and Paige Clements joining as a solicitor. Mr Greenaway, who joined the firm in 2021, has been appointed as an associate solicitor in the property department.

Lavelle Partners LLP has appointed Georgina Lanigan to head up the firm's asset and debt recovery practice. Ms Lanigan brings a wealth of experience to the firm, specialising in advising financial institutions, credit servicing companies and SMEs on mortgage and commercial litigation, asset and debt

Maples and Calder (Ireland) LLP, the Maples Group's law firm, has appointed two new partners and four new of counsel. Funds and investment management lawyer Aoife McDonagh and finance lawyer Joe O'Neill have both joined the firm's Irish partnership.