Appointments

Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne has been formally appointed as chairperson of the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO).

Northern Ireland firm Mills Selig has expanded its banking and finance team with three new appointments. Nichola Coghlan has been appointed as legal director, alongside Andrew McClurg as associate and Hannah Roleston as solicitor.

Philip Lee LLP has promoted Catriona Walsh, Abisola Odunayo, Kevin Ryan and Max Bail to senior associate. Ms Walsh has been promoted to senior associate in the employment and immigration team, while Ms Odunayo has been promoted in the corporate and commercial department.

Trinity College Dublin's Professor Deirdre Ahern is among 12 members appointed to the new National Science Advice Forum. Professor Ahern is professor in law and director of the technologies, law and society research group at Trinity College Dublin School of Law.

RDJ has announced two senior appointments, with Martin O’Callaghan promoted to partner in its real estate practice and Angie Wills joining the firm as a knowledge lawyer. Having joined RDJ in 2015, Mr O'Callaghan and has considerable experience in working on the full range of real estate

William Wilson has been elected as chair of the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors' Association (NIYSA) following its 2026 AGM. Mr Wilson, who leads the property department at Lacey & Co Solicitors, will be supported over the coming year by Katherine Macauley of Joseph Magee & Co as vice-chai

Philip Lee LLP has welcomed two new partners, with Bláthnaid Evans joining the firm's employment practice and Edon Byrnes joining the corporate and M&A team. Both lawyers were previously partners at Ogier, where Ms Evans was also head of employment and immigration.

Philip Lee LLP has promoted Patrick Butler to head of corporate secretarial services. Mr Butler founded the firm's corporate secretarial department and the promotion recognises his work in establishing and growing the practice area for the firm's clients.

RDJ LLP has welcomed seven newly-qualified solicitors across its corporate and commercial, employment, real estate and tax teams. Sarah Alexander, Ciara Hurley and Scion Flanagan have joined the firm's corporate and commercial team.

Dublin firm Reddy Charlton LLP has welcomed Emma Gunn as a senior associate in its property and private client department. Ms Gunn advises on all aspects of residential and commercial purchases, sales and re-mortgages, and assists in large-scale property transactions.

Bria Mongan OBE has been appointed as deputy chair of the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI). Ms Mongan, who was already a member of the board, will serve in the post until 29 February 2028, aligning with the wider membership of the board.

Byrne Wallace Shields LLP has congratulated nine newly-qualified solicitors on their appointment as associates following the completion of their traineeships with the firm. Shauna Farrell, Elizabeth Mahon, Marcus Dunne, Dylan Duke, Conor Henry, Patrick Carty, Lauren Diggins, Vanisha Finlay and Ruair

Galway-based O'Donnell Waters Solicitors LLP has appointed Isabelle O’Donnell and Esther O’Donnell as partners. The daughters of managing partner Gerard O’Donnell, the pair represent the third generation of the O’Donnell family to practice law in Galway City spanning almost 9

Claire Archbold has been appointed as Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland. Ms Archbold's appointment was announced by the Advocate General for Northern Ireland, Lord Hermer KC, who is also Attorney General for England and Wales, late last month.

Daly Lynch Crowe & Morris LLP has promoted immigration lawyer Leah O'Leary to partner. Ms O'Leary joined the Dublin-based firm in 2019 and works as part of a four-strong solicitor team specialising in immigration and international protection law, supported by four caseworkers.