A&L Goodbody LLP (ALG) has appointed David Widger (pictured, centre) to be its next managing partner from 1 May 2022.

He will succeed Julian Yarr (pictured, right), who will complete his third and final term next May after 12 years in the role.

Widger is currently head of ALG's corporate department, and sits on the firm's management committee.

Significant deals

His main areas of expertise include mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate finance and corporate governance.

Widger has led a number of significant deals in the Irish market over the last two decades – including the takeovers of UDG Group, Applegreen, Green Reit and Fyffes.

Eileen Roberts (chair of ALG, left of picture) said that he would bring “a huge amount of experience and leadership” to his new role, adding that he was widely considered to be one of the leading corporate lawyers in Ireland.

She also paid tribute to Julian Yarr, praising his “sense of ambition and passion, combined with his ability to encourage and develop all our people”.