DWF announces seven promotions and 12 new hires in Belfast
Reading time: 2 minutes
Back: Claire Flynn, James Griffiths, Ciara Liddy.
Front: Carley Chapman, Emma Wilson, Lauren Hamilton
DWF has promoted seven colleagues and welcomed 12 new hires in its Belfast office as part of the business’ latest global promotions round and ongoing investment in its teams.
This year, dispute resolution lawyer James Griffiths was promoted to partner, while fellow dispute resolution lawyer Carley Chapman and insurance lawyer Ciara Liddy were promoted to director.
Also in the insurance services division, Catherine Astbury and Claire Flynn were promoted to senior associates.
Construction lawyer Lauren Hamilton was promoted to associate and Emma Wilson was promoted to paralegal within the real estate team.
The promotions form part of DWF’s global promotions round, which saw 263 colleagues promoted across the business, including 22 new partners or partner-equivalent roles. A further 18 existing partners were also promoted to a higher career level within the partnership structure.
The firm has also strengthened its Belfast team with 12 new starters in 2026 across its insurance services and commercial services divisions, including Kellie McKinstry as a director in the motor and fraud team, and Conrad Dixon, as a senior associate in the healthcare team.
Commenting on the recent promotions, Julie Galbraith, managing partner of DWF in Belfast, said: “These promotions reflect the depth of talent and ambition within our Belfast team, as well as the continued strength of our offering for clients across Northern Ireland and beyond. Each individual has made a significant contribution through their hard work, expertise and commitment to collaboration and client service. I am delighted to see their achievements recognised and would like to congratulate them all on this well-deserved milestone in their careers.”
The full list of promotions is:
- James Griffiths, partner, commercial services
- Carley Chapman, director, commercial services
- Ciara Liddy, director, insurance services
- Catherine Astbury, senior associate, insurance services
- Claire Flynn, senior associate, insurance services
- Lauren Hamilton, associate, commercial services
- Emma Wilson, paralegal, commercial services
The new starters are:
- Kellie McKinstry, director, insurance services
- Conrad Dixon, senior associate, insurance services
- Ruth Campbell, associate, insurance services
- Helen Madden, associate, insurance services
- Cliona Martin, associate, commercial services
- Majella MacOscar, associate, commercial services
- Melissa McParland, solicitor, insurance services
- Noreen McEldowney, solicitor, insurance services
- Conor McAuley, solicitor, insurance services
- Maeve McConville, solicitor, insurance services
- Hollie Ferris, solicitor, insurance services
- Catherine Losty, solicitor, commercial services
Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter to not miss articles like this one:
SUBSCRIBE
