A&L Goodbody has appointed Mark Stockdale as head of its Northern Ireland office, effective 1 January 2027. Stockdale will succeed Michael Neill, who has led the Belfast office since 2018 and will become chairman.

Stockdale is a corporate and M&A partner who has headed the firm's energy practice in Northern Ireland. He joined the firm in 2012 and has advised on transactions including the acquisitions of Phoenix Energy and Energia Group last year.

The firm has over 140 professionals in Northern Ireland. Neill, an experienced litigator and insolvency lawyer, will continue as a senior partner focusing on strategic direction and client engagement. He succeeds Mark Thompson, who has been chairman for eight years.

The appointment coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Belfast office, founded in 2007. The firm is undertaking a multi-million pound redevelopment of its Northern Ireland offices, scheduled to open in January 2027.