McCann FitzGerald has announced plans to expand its workforce, saying that 20 newly qualified solicitors will join the firm, due to “substantial demand” from new and existing clients across all departments.

The firm has also announced the appointments of new group leaders for two of its departments.

Georgina O’Riordan will take up the role in finance, while Stephen FitzSimons will be group leader of the corporate department.

O’Riordan focuses on banking and asset-finance transactions, with a particular expertise in aviation. She advised several aircraft lessors in connection with the Irish examinership of Norwegian Air Shuttle and some of its Irish-incorporated affiliates.

‘Ambition and growth’

FitzSimons specialises in public and private M&A, and advised pharmaceutical company AbbVie on its $63 billion acquisition of Allergan.

McCann FitzGerald had appointed six new partners in May, bringing the total number of partners to 80.

The firm’s virtual internship programme also ran in June and July, with 55 interns joining for two weeks.

Barry Devereux (managing partner, pictured) said that the addition of 20 qualifying trainees was a “clear sign” of the firm’s ambition and growth plans.

“This past year has been a difficult year for many of our clients, but they are seeing strong growth in their businesses as economies reopen,” he added.