Belfast-based DWF, which provides legal and business services, has announced a further expansion of its team with a number of new appointments – including three new partners.

In the last six months, DWF has recruited 26 legal professionals to its Belfast office, and the latest round of appointments brings its total workforce to 120.

Mark Blair has been appointed as a partner in the firm’s real-estate division, and will join its leadership team alongside Julie Galbraith, Mark Tinman, and Kirsty Mairs.

DWF describes Blair, a former joint head of Shoosmiths in Belfast, as “one of Northern Ireland’s most experienced commercial-property lawyers”.

New tech and corporate partners

Amanda Byrnes, formerly of Tughans, has also been appointed as a senior associate in the real-estate division.

Also joining DWF as a partner is Olivia O’Kane, who will lead the team that covers technology, media, communications, cyber-security, and data-privacy disputes.

Dual qualified and a former partner in Carson McDowell, Olivia has 18 years of experience.

Scott Kennedy becomes a partner in the corporate team, advising on corporate-finance transactions.

A former partner at Millar McCall Wylie, Kennedy specialises in start-ups, early-stage, and technology-based companies.

Revenue increases

DWF has also appointed Caroline McNally as a director, specialising in commercial law.

Property-finance expert Emma Copeland has joined the finance-and-restructuring team as a senior associate from Carson McDowell.

The latest round of appointments came as DWF reported a 3.4% increase in net revenue for the first half of 2022.

Julie Galbraith (Executive Partner of DWF in Belfast) said that the  firm was “very positive” about the future, and would continue to invest in the best legal talent, and market-leading technologies.