'Their success is a testament to their talent': Global legal firm welcomes Belfast's largest-ever trainee cohort

Global legal and business services firm DWF has announced a record six solicitor qualifications at its Belfast office, alongside its largest-ever intake of trainees across its SQE and IPLS training programmes.

The six newly qualified solicitors have joined a range of practice areas across the Belfast office: Courtney Martin in employment, Daniel McVarnock in motor and fraud, Ellen Walsh in healthcare, Erin McKay in finance and restructuring, Heather Roberts in real estate and Olivia Cumming in construction.

The latest cohort represents the largest number of trainees to qualify with DWF in Belfast to date and comes as the firm continues to invest in early-career legal talent through both traditional and alternative routes into the profession.

Three of the new solicitors qualified through the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) route and are now qualified to practise in Northern Ireland, while three qualified through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route and are qualified to practise in England and Wales.

The group is the first cohort to qualify through DWF Belfast’s SQE programme.

The SQE was introduced by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as the route to solicitor qualification in England and Wales, combining practical legal experience with structured study and assessment.

DWF Belfast was among the first Northern Ireland firms to adopt the SQE route, which provides aspiring solicitors with an alternative pathway into the profession.

Julie Galbraith, managing partner of DWF Belfast, said the firm was proud of the latest qualifiers and the progress of its trainee programme: “We are incredibly proud of Courtney, Daniel, Ellen, Erin, Heather and Olivia on reaching this important milestone in their careers.

"Their success is a testament to their talent, dedication and hard work, as well as the support and development opportunities available within our Belfast office.

“This is a particularly significant year as we welcome our first solicitors to qualify through the SQE route alongside those qualifying through the IPLS route. Together, they demonstrate the breadth of opportunities now available to aspiring lawyers and our commitment to creating accessible pathways into the profession.

“Investing in the next generation of legal talent is fundamental to the future of our business and the wider profession, and we look forward to seeing Courtney, Daniel, Ellen, Erin, Heather and Olivia continue to develop their careers with DWF.”

The Belfast office has also welcomed seven new trainees: Cahir McCartney, Claire Mortimer, Cliona Deeds, Katie Sesay, Khaled ElHasan, Nicole Kelly and Rachel Monaghan. They join the office’s existing second-year trainees: Brendan Doran, Cooper McAuley, Daniel Neill, Jade Hughes, Josh McClurg, Nathan Fairley and Olivia Feron.

Together, they form the largest trainee cohort in the history of DWF’s Belfast office, further highlighting the firm’s investment in legal talent in Northern Ireland and supporting the future needs of its clients across the UK and Ireland.

James Morrison, trainee supervising partner at DWF Belfast, added: “We are seeing increasing interest from talented students and graduates who are looking for a legal career that offers high-quality work, excellent training and genuine opportunities to develop.

"Our growing trainee programme reflects that demand and our confidence in the future of the profession. We are delighted to support trainees through both the IPLS and SQE routes, ensuring that aspiring solicitors can pursue the qualification pathway that best aligns with their career ambitions.”

DWF in Belfast will also host its Trainee Insight Evening on September 17, providing prospective trainees with an opportunity to learn more about the firm’s training opportunities and the IPLS and SQE qualification routes. Applications for trainee positions commencing in September 2027 are currently open, with applications closing on September 20.