Davidson McDonnell 2025: A Year in Review
As we reach the final days of 2025, it’s the perfect moment to pause, reflect and look back on what has been a truly significant year for Davidson McDonnell.
From major transactions and industry recognition to team growth, community involvement and milestone celebrations, 2025 has been defined by momentum, collaboration and progress. Here’s a look back at some of the key highlights that shaped our year.
January – Starting the Year with Recognition
We began 2025 on a high note with well-deserved individual recognition. Victoria Sterritt, Legal Director in our Private Client team, was ranked as Recommended in the Spear’s 500, highlighting her expertise and reinforcing our strength in private client services.
February – Learning, Insight and Collaboration
February focused on knowledge sharing and professional development. We welcomed Legacy Wealth Management to our offices for a timely and insightful discussion on the implications of the UK Autumn Budget and its long-term impact on our clients.
Later in the month, our team came together for an in-house breakfast seminar led by Anne-Marie Carvalho, Founder of TCC, (The Carvalho Consultancy). Her thought‑provoking session on Working with High Emotion, Hostility and Resistance gave colleagues practical tools to navigate challenging conversations, reduce hostility and help prevent burnout in high‑pressure environments.
March – Skills, Celebration and Community
March was a particularly busy and inspiring month, bringing together learning, celebration and community engagement.
We welcomed Anna Pim, Founder of The Heart of the Game, to our offices to deliver CPR and AED training, equipping our team with essential, life-saving skills and the confidence to act in emergency situations.
We were proud to mark International Women’s Day, with our female team members gathering for a coffee morning to celebrate this year’s theme, Accelerate Action. Supporting women in leadership was also a key focus, as Vicky Dummigan, Director, attended the Institute of Directors Women’s Leadership Conference, (IoD NI) alongside inspirational clients and colleagues.
The month rounded off with memorable social and networking events, including the London Irish Lawyers Association St Patrick’s Dinner, celebrating Irish culture within the legal profession. Some of our team members also enjoyed an evening at the Business Beats Cancer event, an inspiring night that raised an incredible £50,000 for cancer research.
April – Transactions and Team Growth
April was another strong month for the firm, marked by significant transactional work and continued team growth.
Our Corporate / M&A team were proud to advise W&R Barnett on the acquisition of a majority shareholding in The Symphony Group, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of fitted kitchen, bathroom and bedroom furniture. This high-profile transaction reflected the depth of experience within our corporate team and our ability to support clients on complex, strategic deals.
Alongside our transactional success, we were delighted to strengthen our team with the arrival of James Houston, who joined Davidson McDonnell as a Solicitor in our Commercial Property team. With a strong background in commercial property and experience across a diverse range of projects throughout the UK, James has already become a valuable addition to the firm.
May – Milestones and Meaningful Moments
May was one of the most meaningful months of the year for Davidson McDonnell, bringing together major milestones, celebration and a strong sense of team spirit.
A standout highlight was marking 10 years of Davidson McDonnell. We celebrated this significant milestone with a special client event at Custom House Belfast, welcoming our clients, colleagues and friends for an evening reflecting on a decade of growth, partnership and progress. It was a fantastic opportunity to look back on how far the firm has come and to thank everyone who has supported us on that journey.
The month also showcased our commitment to giving back. Members of our team took on the Belfast City Marathon in support of Cancer Fund for Children, an incredible challenge that demonstrated real determination and teamwork. Thanks to their efforts, and the generosity of those who supported them. We raised 70% more than our original fundraising target, making a real impact for an important cause.
June – International Connections and Strategic Growth
June was defined by connection and achievement. David McDonnell represented the firm on the Belfast Chamber delegation to New York, joining 20 Northern Ireland businesses focused on strengthening trade ties with the US and opening doors to new opportunities.
Our Corporate/M&A team completed another successful cross‑border transaction, advising the shareholders of Locus Software Ltd on its sale to Kaleris, a portfolio company of Accel‑KKR.
We also gathered with clients for our annual DMCD Golf Day at Royal Belfast Golf Club, and Chris Bullock joined a panel at the RHBC Breakfast Event, hosted by Club Tyrone GAA, sharing insights on business sales and succession planning.
A key highlight of the month was the launch of WIDI – Women in Deals and Investments, a private network created to champion and connect women leading in deals and investment. The launch event, held at Titanic Distillers, was delivered in collaboration with Artemis Human Capital.
July – Visibility, Pride and Progress
July brought visibility and celebration. Our Commercial Property team were proud to act for Open Media UK on the launch of their first digital screen in Belfast city centre, supporting a standout addition to the city’s commercial and cultural landscape.
We welcomed Conor Wilson to the firm as a Solicitor in our Commercial Litigation team, and some of our team enjoyed a brilliant day at the 153rd Open Championship in Royal Portrush.
We also marked Pride Month with a team coffee morning ahead of the Belfast Pride parade and officially announced our 10‑year press release, celebrating a decade of growth and setting our sights on the future.
August – Projects, People and Professional Insight
August continued at pace with new joiners across the firm. We welcomed Sam Shorter as Counsel in our Banking team and Adam Evans as a Legal Executive in our Corporate/ M&A team.
Our junior team hosted a business development networking event at White’s Tavern, bringing together young professionals from across a range of industries.
Our Commercial Property team also showcased their expertise through their work on The Paper Exchange Belfast, acting on the acquisition, construction and ongoing letting of this landmark building.
Thought leadership remained a focus, with Rachael McKee, Senior Solicitor in our Private Client team, sharing insights on co‑parenting and the digitisation of the Northern Ireland Probate Portal. The month also included the Artemis Corporate CrossFit Challenge, with some of colleagues competing in support of Cancer Fund for Children.
September – Investing in the Future
September marked an exciting step forward with the launch of our Degree Apprenticeship Programme in collaboration with Ulster University. We were proud to welcome our first apprentices James, Leandra and Lucy as they begin their legal careers with us.
We welcomed Eimhéar O’Kane as a Senior Solicitor in our Corporate/ M&A team, and Louise McCaffrey celebrated a huge personal milestone, marking 10 years with the firm.
Our commitment to development continued with internal junior training delivered by Louise McCaffrey and Jenni Noble, while Shane McVeigh, Counsel in our Litigation team, shared commentary on a high‑profile Irish High Court decision involving John Magnier.
The month also included our 100‑mile walking challenge, reinforcing our focus on employee wellbeing.
October – Recognition, Careers and Wellbeing
October was a standout month for recognition. We were ranked across five practice areas in the Legal 500 UK 2026, followed by strong results in the Chambers & Partners 2026 Rankings.
We also announced applications for our 2026 Solicitor Training Programme, supported World Mental Health Awareness Day, and attended the Queen’s University Belfast Careers Fair.
Our second WIDI gathering took place this month, with Paula Kane, Emer Hinphey and Gemma Hamilton leading an engaging discussion on preparing businesses for investment and growth. We also hosted an internal celebration at Regency House to mark our 10‑year anniversary as a team.
November – Insight, Growth and Celebration
In November, we continued to grow our teams with new joiners including Kate McCandless, who joined our Private Client team, and Greg Turton, who joined as a Senior Solicitor in our Corporate/M&A team.
We shared further thought leadership, with Sally Flaherty exploring the need for reform of divorce law in Northern Ireland, and celebrated a joyful baby boom, congratulating Alice, Sally, Claire and Aisling on their growing families.
December – Giving Back and Looking Ahead
December rounded off the year with reflection and generosity. We announced the continued expansion of our Corporate/M&A team, reflecting increased client demand and firm growth.
Elise Quigley represented the firm at the QUB Women in Law – Meet the Mentor event, while Jenni Noble, Kate McCandless, Heather Crawford and Louise McCaffrey attended the Young Enterprise Big Market, supporting young entrepreneurs.
Festive highlights included Christmas Jumper Day in support of Cancer Fund for Children and our annual Cash for Kids – Mission Christmas, with the Davidson McDonnell team once again donating gifts for children and young people across the community.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we close the chapter on 2025, we do so with pride in what we’ve achieved and gratitude to our clients, colleagues and partners who made it possible.
Thank you for being part of our journey. We’re excited for what 2026 will bring.