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 litigation/contentious business teams.

Mr Duncan joins as a partner in the expansion of Johnsons’ Dublin office, where he specialises in personal injury, motor, employer’s liability and public liability claims for a number of leading UK and Irish insurers, north and south of the border.

As well as his defence litigation practice, Mr Carney has a particular specialism in media/defamation work.

He most recently acted alongside partner Carl Rooney for fellow solicitors Darragh Mackin and Gavin Booth in their defamation action against Denis O’Brien, helping to secure damages of €823,500, one of the largest jury defamation awards in recent times.

Kenny Chambers, managing partner at Johnsons, said: “I am delighted to welcome these two exceptionally talented lawyers to the partnership.

“Bradley and Darragh first appeared in Johnsons many years ago as students for a period of in-office work experience, after which they joined the firm as trainees and have been an integral part of the business since qualifying as solicitors in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

“During their loyal tenure with us, they have consistently delivered a high calibre of service to our distinguished client base whilst also demonstrating versatility, vision and leadership.

“I am proud to have watched them mature into the lawyers they are today and congratulate them both on their richly deserved appointments.”