The firm joined forces with Belfast employment law specialists Jones Cassidy Brett in 2021 and merged with technology-focused firm Forde Campbell the following year.
The office now has eight partners and 74 lawyers, paralegals and support staff working across employment, immigration, intellectual property, corporate, technology, media and data.

Ciara Fulton, partner and head of the Belfast office, attributes the growth to the team’s commitment to Lewis Silkin’s values and specialisms.

She said: “Since day one we have focused on protecting the most important assets of any business, its ideas and people, while doing so in a way that stays true to Lewis Silkin’s core values of bravery and kindness.  That’s what has been driving us forward over the years and has not only helped us build our reputation as experts at what we do, but also as a great employer. Central to our success is our commitment to growing our own talent. We have built a genuine culture of progression where people are supported to develop their careers.”

Since 2021, the office has made 16 internal promotions and qualified five solicitors through its trainee scheme. Eight more trainees are due to qualify, with further trainees expected in 2026 and 2027.

Olivia O’Kane joined as a partner last year to lead the firm’s specialist media law practice in Belfast and Dublin. Kevin Gallagher, who joined in 2022, was promoted to partner in the employment, immigration and reward team in early 2026.

In 2025, James Stewart, Caroline McNally and Mark Ward joined as legal directors in data, technology and corporate respectively. This year, the corporate team added a transactional services lawyer, while the commercial and technology team recruited an associate and two paralegals.

Employment remains the Belfast office’s largest team, accounting for 41 per cent of headcount. The trademark team has made three hires and expects further growth as demand for brand protection advice rises.

In May, the UK Supreme Court delivered its decision in Dillon and Others [2026] UKSC 15. Lewis Silkin NI acted for the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) as intervener respondent in the constitutional and human rights case concerning Northern Ireland’s legacy framework. Belfast partner Olivia O’Kane represented ICRIR, instructing Frank O’Donohue KC and Andrew McGuinness BL. They worked with general counsel Steven Bramley CBE, head of litigation Tanya Doherty and the wider GC team.

Ms O’Kane added: “We want the momentum of the last five years to continue. We plan to build on the strength and depth of expertise we have established, and to keep innovation central to our operations by continuously trialing and adopting new tools to deliver smarter, more cost-effective services for clients, including through our growing e-billing team, based here in Belfast.

“Belfast has become increasingly strategically important to Lewis Silkin, and we work as one team with our colleagues in our offices Dublin, London, Oxford, Manchester, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow and Hong Kong. This allows us to offer a tailored and unique service with international reach and expertise, while providing value to our clients.”