Kennedys has boosted its Belfast arm with the hire of Arthur Cox local litigation and dispute resolution head Amanda Wylie.

Wylie joined Kennedys at the close of last year, bringing with her two associates – Frances Thompson and Megan Boyd.

The hires take the number of partners in Kennedys' Belfast arm to three, all of who focus on insurance litigation, with the office housing nine lawyers in total.

Wylie was made up to partner at Arthur Cox in 2004 and appointed as head of the Belfast litigation team in 2007.

Kennedys senior partner Nick Thomas said: "Consistent with Kennedys' business model, our Belfast office focuses on defence and coverage work for insurers. When the opportunity of bringing Amanda into the partnership came along, we took it. She has been a great success, bringing a lot of work with her from quality clients and attracting a number of new instructions.

"As things stand, we are pleased with the size and productivity of the office but, as with every Kennedys office, if the right opportunities present themselves we will not shy away from further growth."

Kennedys has been in Belfast since 1997, with the office one of nine across the UK. In October, Kennedys opened its seventh office outside the UK with the launch of a branch in Miami. The office opening came as part of a bid to become closer to its Latin American and Caribbean clients.