Appointments

Belfast-based Francis Hanna & Co Solicitors has welcomed Naomi Gordon and Peter McErlean as degree apprentices under a new Ulster University scheme. The four-year course allows apprentices to work four days a week in an approved legal practice and study at the university one day a week.

Five apprentices at Northern Ireland personal injury firm JMK Solicitors have secured places at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS).

Dr Ciarán Seoighe has been appointed as director general of Forensic Science Ireland, which this year marks its 50th anniversary. Justice, home affairs and migration minister Jim O'Callaghan yesterday announced the appointment, which takes effect on 6 October 2025.

A&L Goodbody LLP (ALG) has appointed Keavy Ryan as chair of the partnership. Ms Ryan will succeed ALG's current chair, Séamus Ó Cróinín, on 1 October.

DWF has strengthened its Belfast team with 19 new appointments, including a new partner, two directors, three newly-qualified solicitors, seven trainee solicitors, and six additional legal professionals.

The UK and Irish governments have jointly appointed an independent expert to consider whether there should be formal engagement with paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland to help disband them. Fleur Ravensbergen, an independent conflict resolution and negotiation practitioner and a lecturer in con

Mason Hayes & Curran has appointed regulatory lawyer Anna Lundy as of counsel in its life sciences and product regulatory team. The of counsel role is reserved for senior lawyers with deep expertise, who support clients on specialised and complex matters.

Global law firm Dentons has appointed experienced commercial litigator Brian Clarke as a partner in Dublin. Formerly a partner at Maples Group, Mr Clarke is a financial services specialist with extensive experience in commercial litigation and arbitration, banking and finance disputes, recovery and

Squire Patton Boggs has hired senior employment lawyer Lisa Shannon to lead and establish its labour and employment practice in Ireland. Ms Shannon’s work involves acting for a wide range of domestic and international companies with respect to workplace disputes, disciplinary matters, day-to-d

Solicitor Sarah Havlin has been appointed as a presiding member of Northern Ireland's civil legal services appeals panels, with seven other lawyers appointed as members. The independent panel considers appeals regarding the granting of legal aid in civil cases.

Northern Ireland firm Wilson Nesbitt has grown its dispute resolution team to eight members following a series of appointments. New team members include senior solicitor Scott Smid and legal executive Órla Eves.

Former data protection commissioner Helen Dixon has been appointed to the board of directors of Repak. Repak is an environmental not-for-profit established in 1997 to help member businesses meet their legal obligation to recycle the packaging they place on the Irish market.

Niamh Sweeney is to be appointed as a commissioner for data protection. There will now three data protection commissioners, following the appointment of Dr Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland in February 2024.

Browne Jacobson has appointed Marie-Claire Scullion as partner and head of employment in Ireland.

William Fry has welcomed the arrival of 12 corporate/M&A lawyers from Eversheds Sutherland Ireland, including partners Gerard Ryan, Enda Newton, Gavin O'Flaherty and Maria O'Brien. Mr Ryan is the former head of corporate at Eversheds Sutherland Ireland, which was previously involved in merger ta