Test team

Director

Conal McGarrity

Conal became the youngest legal director in Ireland when he was appointed director in 2017.  He qualified as a Solicitor in 2014 having graduated from Queen’s University where he received the Lord Chief Justice’s Prize for academic achievement.

He practices in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  He is an expert in the areas of human rights, dispute resolution, medical negligence, fraud & financial crime.

He is regularly instructed in the most serious and high-profile cases within Northern Ireland the Republic of Ireland.  He currently represents clients in cases pending before the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, the Supreme Court in London and the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.  Conal also tutors in the areas of public law and medical negligence at Queen’s University, Belfast.

Conal is also instructed in challenges against State authorities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in respect of failures to establish Public Inquiries to investigate the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in each jurisdiction.  He is also the Recognised Legal Representative for NI Covid Bereaved Families for Justice in the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry which is due to begin hearings in May 2023 in London.

Conal represented his county, Tyrone at minor level where he won an Ulster Championship medal.  He has also won McRory Cup & Hogan Cup medals with his school, St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon.

Director

Kieran Quinn

Kieran is a Senior Partner and heads the Private Client and Commercial Department at PA Duffy.  He is a very experienced, practical and approachable lawyer and as a result is one of the leading Private Client and Commercial lawyers in Northern Ireland. 

He is qualified to practice in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, England and Wales. 

Kieran also holds a role as Notary Public having been appointed by the High Court in 2018.

Kieran’s areas of legal expertise include :

Residential and Commercial property sales/purchases;

Housing and Apartment development;

Inheritance tax, trusts, estate planning, estate administration and probate and estate disputes;

Liquor Licensing of pubs, restaurants, hotels and off licences for individual clients and chains.

Kieran’s expertise in these areas enables him to provide top quality advice on matters such as Company , Shareholder  and property disputes, challenges to wills and  professional negligence actions.

Kieran has a wide client base which includes a number of large property investors and property developers, construction businesses, industrial businesses, families, agricultural and private individuals.

Landmarks

• advising on £50 million sale of Retail Outlet
• acting in the sale of Retail Housing and Apartment Developments – examples of a few include:

• 50 units at Ferny Park Donaghmore ,

• Mixed Development of Dwelling Houses and Apartments at Wellington Park and Upper Lisburn Road, Belfast

• High End Apartment Development at Portrush, Co Antrim

• 30 Unit Development at Maghery, Co. Armagh
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• Various Commercial Unit Development and Letting at Dungannon , Moy, North Coast.

• Commercial Industrial Factory and site Purchases throughout NI.

• Proprietary Estoppel claims at Chancery Court involving Farmlands and Estates .

• Shareholder and Director disputes involving Multi million pound companies

Kieran loves to cycle in his spare time.  He also is a committed youth coach and manager with his local GAA club.

Solicitor

Emma McCaul

Emma graduated with an LLB (Hons) in Law from University of Ulster, Belfast in 2012. She worked in local general practice since then gathering expertise in various areas of law and graduated from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in 2016. Emma has been a member of the team at PA Duffy & Company since 2019.

Emma’s areas of legal expertise are Private Client & Commercial matters.

Areas of Expertise include:

• Will drafting and Administration of Estates including Estate/Tax planning, as well as has extensive experience in Enduring Powers of Attorney and Controllership Applications and incidental matters dealing with the Office of Care and Protection.
• Commercial & Residential conveyancing and land & property related matters
• Commercial Agreements & Contracts
• Company Acquisitions & Sales
• Corporate Restructuring

Her clients value her extensive knowledge and efficiency and her ability to front load these matters and have all transactions running smoothly. Emma takes personal pride in the strong and long-lasting relationships formed with clients and ability to meet client expectations and therefore building a strong and credible client portfolio. Clients appreciate her professionalism, efficiency and attentiveness and genuine consistency in these qualities.

Solicitor

Enda McGarrity

Enda joined PA Duffy & Company as a paralegal in 2018 having graduated from Queens University Belfast with honours. After completing his apprenticeship with PA Duffy and Company Enda qualified as a solicitor and is now head of the Healthcare department in the firm.

Enda’s caseload consists of high value medical negligence claims, historical abuse claims, Inquests and Judicial Review. He is also instructed in various challenges against State authorities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in respect of failures to establish Public Inquiries to investigate the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in each jurisdiction.

Enda has a strong sense of justice and is always keen to assist the most vulnerable people in society. During his training Enda took part in a 5-week human rights internship in Cape Town, South Africa where he provided legal assistance to refugees and members of the LGBTQI community who were being subjected to discrimination. He continues to carry these values in his current workload by representing the interests of vulnerable care home residents, bereaved families, victims of historical abuse and those who have suffered significant injuries as a result of medical negligence.

Enda is a keen Gaelic footballer, he has represented County Tyrone at Minor level and continues to play for his club Galbally Pearses GAC. Enda has received an Ulster Colleges All-star award and was a member of the Elite Athlete Programme at Queens University Belfast. He is also an active member of a charity called St Ciaran’s Peregrini who provide aid to a small town in Zambia and he has visited Zambia on three occasions to assist on various community projects.

Solicitor

Carla Fraser

Carla studied Corporate Law and graduated from the National University of Ireland Galway in 2009, she then completed a Postgraduate qualification in 2010. Carla qualified as a solicitor in 2013 after completing her solicitor training at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies. She trained as a solicitor in a city centre law firm and practiced there until she joined PA Duffy.

Carla specialises in Matrimonial and Family Law, where her passion lies.

Carla deals with cases arising from the breakdown of relationships to include divorce, ancillary relief proceedings, division of assets upon divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships.

She has represented numerous families in proceedings concerning children such as contact and residence of children, public law cases such as care order proceedings. Carla has expertise dealing with international cases such as relocation and child abduction. Carla is known by her clients to be a source of comfort and strength as well as a knowledgeable and experienced solicitor. What makes Carla stand out is her dedication to her clients.

Carla assists local organisations and charities running clinics on family and domestic issues and speaks at events concerning domestic violence and children’s legal issues.

Carla is recognised as a specialist Children’s solicitor and is on the Children Order Panel, accredited by the Law Society of Northern Ireland.

As a blogging enthusiast Carla frequently contributes to blogs writing articles on topics ranging from current Family and Matrimonial issues to reported legal cases that are relevant to her clients and potential clients.

Carla is a Director of the Colin Surestart Board of Directors and takes pride in advising and being part of such an important organisation.

Outside of work Carla enjoys travelling and running.

Carla is committed to responding sensitively and effectively to those needing help and advice relating to Domestic violence and has attained the Workplace Charter on Domestic Violence for PA Duffy. By displaying the “Safe Place” logo in PA Duffy victims can be assured of a safe place and secure environment.

Carla is a member of Women in Business and enjoys attending events and developing her professional skills and relationships with other likeminded women.

Chambers 2022– Associate to watch

Solicitor

Gary Daly

Gary trained and worked in a prestigious law firm in Cardiff and was fortunate to work on a challenging portfolio of cases, some of which attracted the attention of the national press before joining a leading Law firm based in the Southwest of England.

Gary returned to Northern Ireland in 2003 and joined a Belfast based Practice which specialised in the provision of legal advice to the Health Service. This involved providing advice across a broad spectrum of legal issues to include the defence of medical negligence actions, defence of Judicial Review actions, advice and representation at inquests,  advice in respect of Public Inquiries as well as providing advice in respect of employment law,  public family law and litigation.  

In the past Gary has been a guest lecturer at UUJ Jordanstown, has given presentations to medical students at QUB as well as having been a guest speaker at conferences arranged by the health service.

In his early 30’s Gary established a Belfast based legal practice which was at that time the largest single private provider of legal services to the Health Sector in NI. Gary was the senior partner in that Practice before establishing Gary N Daly Solicitors Limited in 2009 in which he developed a province wide client base before joining P A Duffy Solicitors in 2022.

Gary is a qualified solicitor advocate; he enjoys representing clients’ interests in court and has assisted with the Law Society Advocacy course for a number of years.

Gary is pleased to have joined the established and expanding team of solicitors specialising in medical negligence cases at PA Duffy Solicitors.

Gary hopes that his experience acquired in this specialist area of law will add to the delivery of what has become a leading expert team in Northern Ireland & Dublin.

Solicitor

Gabriele Mikstaite

Gabriele obtained her Bachelor’s degree from University of Salford in 2018 and Masters in Law from Queen’s University Belfast in 2020. Gabriele has also recently concluded her studies at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and qualified as a solicitor in September 2022.

Gabriele is originally from Lithuania and has lived in Dungannon for 18 years, she is bilingual and speaks fluent English and Lithuanian.

Gabriele deals primarily with Medical Negligence in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It is an area of law that she is extremely interested in and has worked in over the last 3 years.

In her spare time, Gabriele enjoys travelling, hiking, photography and reading.

Solicitor

Jim McGinnis

Jim holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Law from the University of Ulster.  He is an experienced solicitor and advocate.  He specialises in Human Rights Law, and Administrative & Public Law, and has brought Judicial Review challenges against a range of public authorities where they have breached the rights of citizens under national and/or international law. 

He has a keen interest in International Law and has successfully challenged the proposed extradition of individuals from the jurisdiction.

Jim is also an experienced criminal solicitor.  He has represented clients before Courts throughout the jurisdiction and represented clients in complex fraud cases.

Trainee Solicitor

Danielle Garrity

Danielle joined P.A. Duffy and Company in August 2020 as a Legal Executive. She then started her Solicitor training in September 2021 through the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and is due to qualify as a Solicitor this year in October 2023. She is currently working with the Covid Inquiry Team, Criminal Department, and Litigation Department.   

She graduated from Queens University Belfast in 2018 with LLB Honours and she then proceeded to complete her Masters in Law at Trinity College, Dublin in 2019. She then moved to New York to gain experience in the legal field before sitting the New York Bar Exam in 2020. Danielle therefore has knowledge and experience of the law across three jurisdictions- UK, ROI, and USA. 

Her core principle and value is to enhance the lives of others through her work. She believes that her values will both help and heal others. She views the legal profession as a healing profession which reconciles clients with their appropriate remedy.

Outside of work Danielle is passionate about the gym and yoga. She is a caffeine enthusiast and loves to spend time with her nearest and dearest as well as her little Irish doodle, Millie. She loves to travel when she gets the opportunity and try different restaurants. It is a daily requirement for Danielle to hit her steps. All of her personal activities enable her to lead a rich, full, and meaningful life which contributes to the quality of her work in the legal field.  

She is studying reflexology and will be a fully qualified and accredited advanced reflexologist in 2023. She hopes to implement this into the lives of others including her work colleagues, family and friends.

Finance and Marketing Manager

Sean Kelly

Sean commenced his role as Finance and Marketing Manager for P.A. Duffy & Co in August 2022.  Benefiting from more than 25 years’ experience as a finance manager in the legal industry, Sean brings this wealth of experience to the management of all financial aspects of P.A. Duffy & Co, while also enhancing the already solid foundations around the areas of financial controls and procedures.  Sean will also take the lead on reporting the Firm’s financial systems to its directors, as well as ensuring the Firm’s continued compliance with Law Society guidelines and the Solicitors Accounts Rules.

Outside of his professional reputation, Sean is a well-known personality within both national and provincial GAA circles, having served as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) with the Antrim County Board from 2016 to 2021.  In this role, Sean won the coveted Ulster GAA Communication Award.  Currently Sean is one of two Antrim GAA Ulster Council Delegates.

Sean will also bring his expertise in marketing and PR to the role, as he seeks to grow this aspect of P.A. Duffy & Co’s practice.  

Outside of work, Sean enjoys attending sporting fixtures, completing park runs and spending time with family and friends. Sean is particularly interested in charitable work in the community.  In his time as Antrim GAA PRO, Sean helped to raise over £80,000 for various charities.  Sean was also the driving force behind the ‘Run for Anto’ fundraiser, which raised in excess of £15,000 for the former Antrim GAA captain, Anto Finnegan’s charity, DeterMND.

Sean is looking forward to working with an already excellent team at P.A Duffy & Co, by offering his experience and expertise to assist the Firm as it strives to reach its goals. 

Practice Manager

Antonia O’Neill

Antonia commenced work at PA Duffy & Co in June 2009, having worked in the Conveyancing and probate department. Toni now heads up the firms Onboarding process and works with the latest technology.

In February 2020 Antonia became PA Duffy & Co  Solicitors first Practice Manager.  She manages the practice on a daily basis, liaising with the Partners and the Finance Manager to ensure the smooth running of the office and ensure wellbeing of staff.  Her role includes book keeping, billing, account reconciliation and debt recovery.

Antonia has proved to be a very loyal, reliable, and efficient member of the PA Duffy team.

In her spare time Antonia enjoys attending HD Fitness in Dungannon and swimming. Her weekends are usually spent at the football pitch watching her sons play for Clonoe O’Rahillys.  She also enjoys dining out and trying new food.

Legal Executive

Seanin Somerville

Seanin joined the firm in 2006. She raised through the ranks and working closely with our Mr Conal McGarrity, she now specialises in the area of non-fault road traffic litigation claims.

Seanin understands how traumatic a road accident can be for victims and their loved ones. She aims to provide the support and advice required to make road traffic accident as straight-forward as possible. Seanin has developed an excellent knowledge of the law in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in relation to road traffic litigation. She has settled various high value cases and has vast experience in settling claims across all Court tiers.

Working closely with local accident management firms, Seanin acts for car drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorbike users and cyclists. She successfully negotiates settlement for vehicle damage, plant machinery damage, property damage and personal injury compensation.

Seanin is keen to ensure that clients are adequately compensated for less evident losses such as vehicle depreciation (in the event of repair) or any loss of income or medical expenses incurred as a result of the accident. She also prioritizes prompt payment of hire car fees, vehicle storage fees and vehicle recovery fees by liaising directly with the third-party insurance company.

Seanin is conscientious, efficient and describes herself as a perfectionist. Her aim is to ensure that clients are treated to the highest standard of fairness and justice, as is their entitlement. Previous clients have been keen to point out her relentless work ethic and her hassle free, professional approach.

Seanin is a talented middle-distance runner and regularly competes in organised running events. She is a huge supporter of the Parkrun movement can be found running or volunteering most Saturday mornings at her local event. She is a very family centric person, an avid reader and a dedicated true-crime podcast fan.

Legal Executive

Filip Hartel

Filip is a legal executive who looks after the Polish department at PA Duffy and Company Solicitors. He has a particular expertise in litigation and medical negligence and operates both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

He has experience in dealing with a wide range of cases including accidents at work, road traffic accidents and medical claims.

Filip is originally from Poland and started working with PA Duffy and Company in 2015.

Legal Executive

Brighdin Mullin

Brighdín is currently studying Law LLB (Hons) at Queen’s University Belfast. She has a particular interest in Medical Law and Human Rights Law and hopes to specialise in this in her future legal career. Brighdín has recently completed an Erasmus semester abroad in Budapest, Hungary and has been awarded seven academic awards including the Lord Lowry Prize and Sir Donald Murray Prize.

Bridghdin is currently working as part of our Covid-19 Public Inquiry team.

Outside of work Brighdín enjoys spending time with her friends and family and travelling when she can.

Legal Executive

Ellen Bates

Ellen is currently an undergraduate studying Law LLB at the Ulster University. She has particular interest in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Medical Law and Family Law and hopes to specialise in these areas later in her legal career.

Ellen is a prominent member of the Ulster University Law Society and has represented the law school in two prestigious moots during her first semester of University.

In her spare time, she enjoys meeting up with friends and spending quality time with her family.

Paralegal

Kaitlin Holdsworth

Kaitlin graduated with an LLB (Hons) in Law with Criminology from Ulster University in 2019. She is currently studying a Masters Degree in Access to Justice through Ulster University. The LLM in Access to Justice provides training in client care management, representation, dispute resolution, social security law, employment law and family law.

After graduating in 2019, Kaitlin secured employment in the Community Advice Sector working as a Social Security Tribunal Representative before joining the team at P.A. Duffy & Company in January 2023.

Kaitlin is currently working as part of our Covid-19 Public Inquiry team.

Outside of work, Kaitlin is passionate about community work and has set up numerous cross-community initiatives and activities. She is also the Secretary of her local GAA club.

Paralegal

Jack Morgan

Jack joined P.A. Duffy & Co Solicitors in 2022 as a paralegal.

After completing a law degree Jack completed an LLM in Access to Justice. During his LLM, Jack completed a placement in the Ulster Law Clinic. Here Jack gained practical experience assisting clients with employment law and social security matters.

Jack is currently working as part of our Covid-19 Public Inquiry team.

Jack enjoys reading, running and travelling in his spare time.

Paralegal

Amy Wolfe

Amy joined P.A. Duffy Solicitors in January 2023 where she acquired a role as a paralegal working on the current Covid 19 Public Inquiry.

Amy has a particular interest in Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law. Amy has spent the last seven years working through various degrees; a Bachelors of Honours Criminology & Criminal Justice, a Masters in Peace & Conflict Studies and an LLB in Law at Queens University Belfast. During this length of time, Amy has obtained an extensive amount of academic knowledge that has construed perfectly in line with her work.

Amy is currently working as part of our Covid-19 Public Inquiry team.

In her spare time, Amy loves to go mountain biking, going for walks and loves to travel when possible. Amy also enjoys helping to raise money for charitable institutions were possible. A fun fact about Amy is that she independently travelled through various parts of America when she was 18 years old.

Amy would define herself as a very confident, ambitious and bubby individual with a strive for excellence and dedication to her work.

Legal Assistant

Caitriona McGarrity

Caitriona started working at PA Duffy & Co in September 2019 and has quickly become a valued member of the team. She assists our solicitors with matrimonial matters. She loves nothing more than spending time with her family and attending many GAA matches across the country and volunteering at her local GAA club.

She is also a committee member in her local handball club and has been involved in organising and helping with fundraisers. Caitriona is also a director in her local Credit Union.

Legal Assistant

Christine McCusker

Christine has recently started working with PA Duffy & Co in October 2019. She is great edition to the team and she assists our solicitors in many areas including conveyancing.

Christine, who is originally from Australia has working in the legal industry for many years in both Australia and Northern Ireland.

She loves nothing more than spending time with her family. She also enjoys the great outdoors and traveling.

Legal Assistant

Jenny Mitchell

Jenny has worked in PA Duffy and Company since 2011. She works primarily in our commercial and conveyancing Departments.

Jenny has assisted our solicitor’s in various high profile property purchases and sales. She recently helped to finalise the purchase of a large scale development for a local company. Jenny is vastly experienced in this area and is an important member of the PA Duffy team. Jenny is a very family orientated person and her interests include walking, shopping and meeting up with friends.

Legal Assistant

Shauneen Wilson

Shauneen began working at PA Duffy in November 2016 and has became a valued member of the team.  She has developed a range of experience in civil litigation, family law, medical negligence, judicial review and criminal law.

She assists our Personal Injury and Human Rights departments and has proved to be very effective and efficient at her job.  In her spare time Shauneen enjoys photography and travelling.

Legal Secretary

Catherine Walker

Catherine began working at P.A. Duffy in July 2021, she assists our medical negligence team as well as monitoring the reception. Catherine is currently studying part-time at Southwest College and has applied to study Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing Gaelic football for her local club Galbally Pearses, as well as attending the gym and travelling when she gets the chance.

Marketing Executive

Ciara McGarrity

Ciara joined our team at P.A. Duffy & Company in 2020 as our website content writer, later becoming our Marketing Executive in December 2020. 

Ciara graduated from Ulster University in June 2021 as a Product Design Engineer with first-class honours. She travelled to the USA in 2019 to complete a year of study in Business Administration with an emphasis in Business Law and Marketing at Clarke University, there she graduated with a 4.0 GPA.

Ciara enjoys working behind the scenes with the P.A. Duffy team to create fresh marketing content to communicate with our loyal clients and attract new clients.

In her spare time, she likes to volunteer at her local football club in Carrickmore, travelling and spending time with friends and family.