'We are delighted and humbled': Northern Ireland lawyer celebrates double shortlisting at prestigious Irish Law Awards

Portadown native Owen Beattie has been shortlisted in two categories at the prestigious LEAP Irish Law Awards 2026.

The solicitor advocate and founder of Belfast-based Owen Beattie Solicitors is a finalist for Criminal Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year and Ulster and Connacht Sole Practitioner of the Year, recognising the rapid growth and success of the practice since its launch in 2022.

The awards ceremony will take place on Friday, June 12, at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, bringing together some of the legal profession's leading practitioners from across Ireland.

A graduate of Queen's University Belfast, Mr Beattie has built a reputation through his involvement in a number of high-profile cases and has established a specialist boutique practice serving clients throughout Northern Ireland and beyond.

Speaking about the nominations, he said: “We are delighted and humbled to be nominated in two categories this year in the Irish Legal Awards.

"Having established this business in September 2022, we are extremely grateful for the support that we have received from clients, colleagues, and friends throughout the province, but in particular those clients from the wider Lurgan, Craigavon and Portadown areas.

"Although our offices are in Belfast, we represent clients throughout the country, and the people of this area have been incredibly loyal to us as a practice. For that, we are extremely grateful.

"As a business, we have grown significantly since we were established, and we now are a specialised boutique practice representing clients and businesses who are subject to criminal investigation, but we also provide strategic litigation advice in contentious disputes, personal injury litigation, data protection and reputation management.

"We are thrilled with these nominations, but we remain grateful to our clients and colleagues who make this all possible.”

Since setting up his own practice Mr Beattie has been involved in a number of significant cases including the inquest into Daniel McConville’s death in Maghaberry Prison.

He has also represented a number of victims of historical abuse.

Mr Beattie has also taken a Class Action suit against the Department of Education regarding a data breach.

Furthermore he has taken High Court actions against the PSNI and some media outlets.

Owen is a qualified Solicitor Advocate, having completed the Solicitor Advocacy course, organised by the Law Society of Northern Ireland, in conjunction with the National Institute of Trial Advocates.

Owen is a tutor and lecturer in criminal law at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) and is a co-opted member of the Law Society Access to Justice Committee. Owen is also an elected member of the Belfast Solicitors Association.