Law firm DWF has promoted seven colleagues in its Belfast office, including a new partner, two directors, and two senior associates. The promotions form part of a global round that saw 263 colleagues promoted across the business.

Dispute resolution lawyer James Griffiths was promoted to partner. In the same practice area, Carley Chapman was promoted to director, while insurance lawyer Ciara Liddy also moved up to director level.

Within the insurance services division, Catherine Astbury and Claire Flynn became senior associates. Construction lawyer Lauren Hamilton was promoted to associate, and Emma Wilson was promoted to paralegal within the real estate team.

The global promotions round included 22 new partners or partner-equivalent roles, and 18 existing partners were promoted to a higher career level within the partnership structure.

The firm has also strengthened its Belfast team with 12 new starters in 2026 across its insurance services and commercial services divisions. These include Kellie McKinstry, who joins as a director in the motor and fraud team, and Conrad Dixon, who becomes a senior associate in the healthcare team.

Julie Galbraith, managing partner of DWF in Belfast, said the promotions reflected the depth of talent and ambition within the Belfast team and the continued strength of the firm’s offering for clients across Northern Ireland and beyond. She stated that each individual had made a significant contribution through hard work, expertise, and commitment to collaboration and client service, and she congratulated them on the milestone.