Ellen joined CMG Cunningham Dickey in September 2024 as a Trainee Solicitor. She is currently pursuing her professional qualifications at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and is set to qualify as a solicitor in October 2026.

Ellen holds a bachelor’s degree in Law and Spanish, having graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2022. She has two years of experience working as a Business Immigration Paralegal for a US law firm in their global solutions centre in Belfast. During this time, Ellen gained valuable insight into complex immigration processes, drafting petitions for individuals seeking employment and residence in the United States.

Throughout her traineeship with the firm, Ellen will be exposed to wide-ranging practice areas such as Conveyancing, Housing Developments, Corporate Sales and Acquisitions, Litigation, Matrimonial Law and Wills and Probate.  

Niamh graduated from Queen’s University Belfast with a degree in Law in 2023. Niamh joined CMG Cunningham Dickey Solicitors in August 2023 within the Belfast Office commencing her traineeship within the firm. She is currently undergoing her studies at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and will qualify as a Solicitor in October 2025. 

Niamh works mainly in the field of commercial conveyancing, in particular, assisting our managing Partner Brian H Speers in the specialist practice area acting for Dentists and Orthodontists in relation to Dental Practice Sales or Acquisitions. Niamh also works amongst the New Developments team as well as the Corporate team whereby she assists with corporate due diligence and the drafting of agreements. 

Shannon is a solicitor specialising in all aspects of family and matrimonial law.   

Shannon carries out complex children cases in all court arenas.  She is pragmatic, straight-talking and empathetic.  She acts for various clients in international family disputes, child arrangements, adoption, surrogacy and relocation matters.  Shannon is also experienced in non-accidental injury matters and parental child abduction (Hague and non-Hague), proceedings under the inherent jurisdiction, wardship applications, as well as injunctions and protection orders.   

Shannon acts for clients in the resolution of financial matters on divorce, as well as the resolution of financial matters between unmarried couples both in and out of court.  Shannon is experienced in advising on cases involving both pre & post nuptial agreements.  

Shannon is an accredited member of the Children Order Panel in Northern Ireland.  

Stephanie is experienced in setting up and dealing with site sales in our new developments team. Stephanie works closely with our Managing Partner and a number of large house building clients to deal with their individual site sales and is extremely thorough in her approach ensuring that handover day goes smoothly for new purchasers.    

Sara graduated from University of Wales, Bangor in 2000 and obtained a Masters at Queens University Belfast in 2001. While studying for her Masters, Sara joined a large local law firm where she obtained her Legal Executive qualification in Conveyancing. 

Sara joined our firm in 2016 and has vast experience in handling and managing all types of residential property transactions, including site sales and purchases, re-mortgages, transfers of equity, equity purchases, right to buy schemes, Building developments, Management Company issues and boundary issues.

Carina graduated from Newcastle University with a First-Class Honours Law degree in July 2022. Following her graduation Carina commenced her traineeship with CMG Cunnigham Dickey Solicitors in September 2022. Carina graduated from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in June 2024 and she will qualify as a Solicitor in October 2024.

Carina has been exposed to a plethora of practice areas during her traineeship, including Conveyancing, Litigation, Medical Negligence, Family and Children’s Law, Matrimonial and Wills, Inheritance Tax Planning and Probate. 

Carina is now based in the Private Client Team.

Susan joined our firm in 2004 and has over 20 years experience in residential conveyancing. In 2006 Susan completed the Queens University Legal Assistant course and subsequently qualified as a Legal Executive in 2007. 

The course covered all areas of law however Susan mainly deals with all aspects of Residential Conveyancing and assists Partner Jonathan Hewitt in Commercial Conveyancing, Administration of Estates, Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and private client work. 

In addition, Susan is also the operational manager for the Bangor office and ensures the efficient running of the office.   

Clare is a key part of the new development team and this is where her main experience has been acquired through the preparation of documentation for new build developments. Clare also assists our Managing Partner Brian Speers with commercial and residential conveyancing. In addition Clare supports the management of the firm through the development and implementation of the firm’s policies and procedures.

Heather graduated from Ulster University with a degree in Law and Politics in 2019 and a Diploma in International Law, which focused on International and European Human Rights.  

Heather was then employed by a global law firm where her main role as a paralegal was to assist the Global Antitrust and Competition Practice Group with legal research on key antitrust and competition developments worldwide. 

Heather joined CMG Cunningham Dickey Solicitors in August 2021 as a Legal Executive within the Belfast office, ahead of beginning a traineeship with the firm. She is currently undergoing her studies at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies and will qualify as a Solicitor in October 2023.

Heather will experience various different practice areas during her traineeship, including Conveyancing, Housing Developments, Corporate Sales and Acquisitions, Litigation, Family and Children’s Law, Matrimonial and Wills and Probate. 

Based mainly in our Belfast Office, Christopher is the Head of the firm’s Wills, Trusts and Estates Department, but has involvement in acting in a wide range of property matters for private clients. Christopher is a Full Member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners having obtained the Society’s diploma in 2016.

His speciality lies in all aspects of forward planning, including wealth management and drafting of Wills, Trusts and Living Wills. He is also experienced in matters pertaining to capacity such as Enduring Powers of Attorney and applications to the Office of Care and Protection.

Christopher regularly advises and assists Executors, Administrators and Trustees with enquiries, procedure, or the Administration of an Estate, a Trust or Charitable property.

He also has extensive experience of all residential conveyancing and property transactions.