THE Belfast office of global legal and business services firm DWF has further expanded with a number of key appointments to its commercial team, including three partners, a new director and two senior associates.
Since the summer, DWF has also recruited 26 legal professionals in Belfast, with positions including support staff, paralegals, trainee solicitors, newly qualified and senior solicitors.
The latest recruitment drive takes DWF’s total workforce in Northern Ireland to 120.
Central to the growth has been the expansion of its real estate team, which now boasts over 20 legal professionals in Belfast, advising on some of the north's most high-profile property transactions.
Mark Blair has been appointed as a real estate partner and will join the Belfast real estate leadership team alongside Julie Galbraith, Mark Tinman and Kirsty Mairs. Amanda Byrnes, formerly of Tughans, has also been appointed as a senior associate, joining the real estate occupier team
Also joining DWF as a partner is Olivia O’Kane, who is leading the technology, media, communications, cyber security and data privacy disputes team. Dual qualified and a former partner in Carson McDowell, she brings 18 years of experience along with her specialism in TMC and data privacy to DWF’s all-island client base.
Scott Kennedy has been appointed a partner in the corporate team, advising on the full spectrum of corporate finance transactions, and Caroline McNally has been appointed as a director specialising in commercial law.
Further bolstering the senior team, real estate finance expert, Emma Copeland, has joined the finance and restructuring team as a senior associate from Carson McDowell. She will work with Orla Hanna, Director, advising several local banking and finance clients.
The news of DWF's Belfast recruitment coincides with DWF Groups' half year results which have shown a strong first half performance, achieved against a challenging macro-economic backdrop. Net revenue is up by 3.4 per cent and the business remains focussed on attracting and retaining top industry talent.
Julie Galbraith, executive partner of DWF in Belfast, said: “We are recognised as a business innovator and continue to attract the best talent in a competitive legal market. The continued investment in our people – across all levels – is significant, timely and speaks volumes for the strength of our business and breadth of our service offering.
“I'm delighted to welcome our senior hires, who will complement our leading teams in Belfast with their additional experience and specialisms. Our people are the key to ensuring we deliver premium legal advice with commercial intelligence, industry sector relevant experience and excellent client service.
“We are very positive about the future and will continue to invest in both the best legal talent, and market leading technologies, positioning us to advise, steer and support our rapidly expanding client base.
“We listen to our clients and there is a growing desire for legal and business services to be delivered in an easier and more efficient way. So, we've built our business and designed our range of services on this principle."
