Pinsent Masons has strengthened its construction and infrastructure practice in Belfast with the promotion of three lawyers, reflecting sustained growth in its integrated projects and construction offering across Ireland and the UK.
Jennifer Lee has been promoted to Legal Director and Meghan Kirk to Managing Senior Associate within the firm’s Construction Advisory and Disputes team. Ruth Reid has been promoted to Associate within the Projects team in Belfast, led by Projects & Construction Partner Ciaran McNamara.
The promotions underscore the depth of Pinsent Masons’ Belfast construction practice, which integrates specialist Projects & Construction expertise and Construction Advisory and Disputes expertise to support clients throughout the lifecycle of major developments.
The team advises a broad range of clients, including developers, contractors, employers, funders and public sector bodies on complex construction and infrastructure matters across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. Its work encompasses procurement, contract strategy, project delivery, risk management, dispute avoidance and dispute resolution.
The Belfast practice, alongside colleagues in the Dublin office, operates on an all-island basis across Ireland and forms part of Pinsent Masons’ internationally recognised construction and infrastructure team, which spans seven UK offices. The firm advises on some of the most significant infrastructure, energy, transport and real estate projects across the UK, Ireland and internationally, combining sector expertise with commercial insight to help clients manage risk and deliver successful projects.
Recent work of the team includes advising a JV contractor on a multi-million-pound NEC payment dispute on a major road scheme in Northern Ireland, spanning mediation, adjudication and arbitration and advising a contractor on all aspects of a £263m campus development in Northern Ireland for a higher education authority.
Pinsent Masons
Commenting on the promotions, Ciaran McNamara, Projects & Construction Partner at Pinsent Masons in Belfast, said: “These promotions reflect the sustained strength and growth of our construction and projects practice in Belfast. Belfast is home to a highly skilled legal talent pool, and Jennifer, Meghan and Ruth each bring considerable expertise and dedication to our team. Their advancement is testament to the calibre of talent within our office.
“Our integrated approach enables us to provide clients with seamless support throughout the lifecycle of their projects, combining projects, construction advisory and disputes expertise to manage risk effectively and deliver successful outcomes. We are proud to support clients across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain on some of the most significant developments in the market.”
Louise Forster, Co-head of the Construction Advisory and Disputes team, added: “By continuing to invest in our CAD presence in the Northern Ireland market, we are enhancing our ability to deliver specialist, sector-leading advisory and dispute resolution expertise while also working seamlessly with colleagues across our UK network,” she continued.
“These promotions ensure that Pinsent Masons is ideally placed to help current and future clients manage risk where it exists, navigate increasingly complex projects, and achieve successful commercial outcomes wherever they are operating.”
Jennifer Lee, newly promoted Legal Director, commented: “I am delighted to take on the role of Legal Director and to continue contributing to the growth of our Belfast construction dispute practice. We have developed a strong team with deep sector expertise and a clear commitment to providing clients with practical, commercially focused advice.
“It is a pleasure to see Meghan and Ruth recognised as part of these promotions. The strength of our practice is built on the expertise and collaboration across our teams, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside colleagues and clients as we support the delivery of significant construction and infrastructure projects across Ireland and the UK.”
The promotions underscore Pinsent Masons’ continued investment in its Belfast office and its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of clients, helping them manage risk, navigate increasingly complex projects and deliver successful commercial outcomes across Ireland and the UK.
