Multi-national law firm Pinsent Masons has promoted six of its Belfast-based lawyers to senior positions within the firm.

Two lawyers have become partners, one a legal director, and three have been promoted to senior associate.

The promotions in Belfast form part of a firm-wide promotion round, with 25 new partners being appointed across the firm’s global network.

New partners

The two new partners are private-equity lawyer Lisa Early and construction-law specialist Ciaran McNamara.

Early, who joined the firm as a trainee, is qualified in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and England and Wales.

She regularly advises British and European investors investing on the island of Ireland and in Britain.

McNamara, who joined the firm in 2013, is also tri-qualified, and advises clients on a wide range of energy, infrastructure and construction projects across Ireland and Britain.

Three new senior associates

Craig Patterson, a specialist in employment law, has been promoted to legal director.

Sarah-Louise Baird, Catherine Burns and Andrea Hewitt-Sims have all been promoted to senior associate.

Pinsent Masons is one of the largest firms in Belfast, and has offices in Dublin and throughout Britain.