CARSON MCDOWELL APPOINTS THREE PARTNERS AND 14 SENIOR ASSOCIATES IN NEW ROUND OF PROMOTIONS IN BELFAST
7th Dec 2022
Belfast law firm Carson McDowell has added to its senior team with the appointment of three new partners in Belfast and has also promoted 14 lawyers to the position of senior associate.
Carson McDowell is Northern Ireland’s largest independent law firm, with over 200 people working across 27 specialist areas in its Belfast and Dublin offices.
The firm announced today that it has expanded its senior team to 34 partners with the appointment of Sarah Cochrane as a partner in its employment team, Cathal O’Neill as a partner in its defence insurance division and Francesca Lowry as a healthcare partner.
Carson McDowell represents over 50% of Northern Ireland’s top 100 companies, as well as international companies doing business in the region. The firm is renowned for having more experts working across more specialist areas than any other Northern Ireland law firm and has a reputation finding innovative solutions to the most complex of legal problems.
It also has a market-leading presence in the legal industry guides The Legal 500 and Chambers UK, where it is ranked number one across more areas of expertise than any other law firm in Northern Ireland.
Francesca Lowry joined Carson McDowell as an apprentice in 2003, becoming part of the healthcare team upon qualification in 2005. She is highly regarded in the healthcare sector, particularly in defending claims on behalf of dentists, pharmacists, doctors and nursing homes, and representing clients at inquests.
Sarah Cochrane joined the employment team in 2012. She has contributed significantly to the team’s growth as well as working closely with other departments within the firm, leading on the employment law aspects of key transactions.
Cathal O’Neill joined the defence insurance team in 2017 and since then has used his existing significant experience handling a range of public and employers’ liability cases, with a particular proficiency in industrial disease claims.
Carson McDowell’s Managing Partner Roger McMillan said: “I would like to congratulate Francesca, Sarah and Cathal, who I know will each, through their contributions, add significant value to our market leading team.
“As well as a reputation for excellence, Carson McDowell has a strong track record of hiring and developing the best talent. We want to retain that talent as we look to the future and are committed to continued investment in our people and their wellbeing to ensure the firm remains a great place to work.”
Neasa Quigley, Senior Partner at Carson McDowell, added: “I would like to add my congratulations to our new partners and to the 14 individuals who have been rewarded for their hard work by being promoted to senior associate within the firm, as we remain focused on delivering for our clients and helping them to take advantage of opportunities for growth.
“Our law firm is made up of a diverse range of talent and we are continuing to invest in our people at all levels to ensure we offer our clients a wider variety of expertise than any other law firm of our size.”
The 14 Associates promoted to Senior Associate positions within the firm are:
- Aisling O’Hare, Commercial
- Andrew Davison, Private Client
- Anna Haines-Smyth, Healthcare Claims (NI)
- Enya McKenna, Defence Insurance
- Faye Phillips, Planning & Environmental
- Fergal McGoldrick, Media, Communications & Reputation/Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Gillian Greenfield, Professional Indemnity
- Helen Cosgrove, Litigation & Dispute Resolution
- Laura McKee, Healthcare Claims (NI)
- Le-ann Campbell, Corporate/ Energy
- Niamh Magee, Procurement/Competition
- Orla Kelly, Planning & Environmental
- Rosie Timoney, Corporate
- Yvonne McMahon, Real Estate
Photo caption: Pictured (L-R) are Carson McDowell partners Francesca Lowry, Roger McMillan, Neasa Quigley, Sarah Cochrane and Cathal O’Neill.
