Belfast-based law firm Tughans has announced four new hires and nine senior promotions − including two new partners.

The company says it is ready for a period of “rapid growth” after a recent move to new office space in The Ewart on Bedford Street.

Tughans has promoted Fiona Kirkpatrick to partner in its estate-planning department. Since joining the firm in 2020, Kirkpatrick has been responsible for advising wealthy individuals on their succession planning.

Kevin Hegarty has also been promoted to partner in the healthcare department, having acted on behalf of medical-indemnity organisations and individual clinicians undertaking work in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

New directors

Tughans has also promoted seven new directors, to support ongoing client work and new contract wins.

The new directors are:

• Gavin Robinson (real estate),
• Aimee Craig, Cassie McCormick and Brendan Donnelly (corporate),
• Pauline Walker and Grainne Kirk (disputes), and
• Francesca Glynn (healthcare).

The firm has also appointed four new legal staff:

• Aimee Bullock, director (finance and restructuring),
• Catherine Power, associate director (disputes),
• Enya Hood, associate solicitor (corporate), and
• Alexandra Mawhinney, associate solicitor (real estate).

Patrick Brown (managing partner) described the new partners as “great assets to the senior team, with a wealth of valuable experience”.

“Having settled into our brand new office in The Ewart, and on the back of new client contract wins, we are primed to grow our team further,” he added.