'A time of clear ambition for the firm in Northern Ireland': Global law firm boosts corporate ambitions with key partner hire
The dual-qualified lawyer joins from Shoosmiths to strengthen the firm’s Northern Ireland corporate offering and support cross-border growth across the UK and Ireland
Law firm is Eversheds Sutherland global has appointed Grant Edwards as a resident corporate partner in its Belfast office, strengthening the firm’s capability in Northern Ireland and supporting its ambition to deliver a full‑service, globally connected offering in the region.
Grant joins from Shoosmiths, where he was a partner in the corporate team. He is a dual‑qualified corporate lawyer (Northern Ireland and England/Wales) advising on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital transactions, with a particular focus on the energy and technology sectors.
Based in Belfast, Grant works with both local and international clients and intermediaries and regularly advises on UK‑wide matters, enhancing the firm’s ability to support Northern Ireland mandates alongside wider UK and Ireland and cross‑border transactions.
His appointment further strengthens Eversheds Sutherland’s corporate offering in Northern Ireland and supports closer collaboration across the firm’s UK, Ireland and international corporate teams.
Gareth Planck, Belfast senior office partner, Eversheds Sutherland, said: “Bringing Grant into the partnership is a major milestone for our Northern Ireland business.
"We are committed to building a genuinely full‑service, market‑leading corporate capability in the region, and Grant’s strong local profile combined with his UK‑wide deal experience makes him ideally placed to help drive that ambition.
"His arrival significantly enhances our ability to support clients based and/or operating in Northern Ireland whilst also plugging seamlessly into our global corporate platform.”
Alistair Cree, corporate partner, Eversheds Sutherland UK, explained: “Grant is an excellent strategic hire for our corporate practice. He brings deep experience in energy, venture capital and private equity, with a proven ability to work across offices and sectors on complex transactions. His knowledge and skill aligns closely with our growth priorities and strengthens our bench across the firm, enabling us to deliver fully integrated corporate advice to clients locally, nationally and internationally.”
Grant Edwards, corporate partner, Eversheds Sutherland NI, added: “I’m delighted to be joining Eversheds Sutherland at a time of clear ambition for the firm in Northern Ireland.
"The strength of the firm’s corporate practice, sector focus and international reach offers an unmatched opportunity to support clients on complex and increasingly cross‑border transactions, helping them realise their international growth ambitions. I’m looking forward to working closely with colleagues across the UK and Ireland and contributing to the continued growth of the Belfast office.”
Grant’s appointment comes at the same time as the appointment of Laura Fannin as partner in Dublin, and also follows the recent hire of partners Robert Dever and Mary Gavin in Dublin, marking the latest step in Eversheds Sutherland’s growth across Northern Ireland and Ireland since the integration of both practices into the firm’s global business.