People
PETER HILL – CV
Peter having attended Methodist College Belfast (Prize 1975-1978) attended Queens University Belfast to read law graduating in 1982, commencing his legal career as an apprentice in this firm the following year and qualifying as a Solicitor in 1984. Initially Peter undertook a wide range of legal work including Plaintiff Litigation, general conveyancing, criminal, probate and administration of estates, Wills and debts claims. Appointed a partner in 1988 Peter specialized in all areas of domestic and commercial conveyancing work and property law including housing development work, planning appeals and planning inquiries, arbitration, lands tribunal matters, County Court and High Court Litigation dealing with property related issues.
Outside of the office, aside from his family Peter was a keen cricket player and (still occasional) hockey player being a past Secretary for several years and President of Collegian Men’s Hockey Club (now Belfast Harlequins) and more recently has taken to the golf course.
Peter can be contacted at
Email: peter.hill@diamondheron.com
GRAHAM KEYS - CV
Graham Keys qualified as a Solicitor in 1978. He is a past chairman of the Belfast Solicitors Association and has served on a number of Northern Ireland Law Society Committees.
Graham is an experienced property lawyer, having a particular background – going back many years – in dealing with both residential and commercial property lenders. He also specializes in commercial and property litigation.
Graham has always worked in the city but lives in the country. He enjoys country living and everything to do with horses. He is married with three adult sons.
Graham can be contacted at:
Email: graham.keys@diamondheron.com
Tel: 02890408222
JOHN FORSYTHE – CV
John graduated from Queens University Belfast in 1983 and joined our firm in 1984 and was appointed a partner in 1988.
John Specialises in Debt Recovery Litigation namely for financial institutions.
He is married with two children. He has been past captain of CIYMS Tennis and Badminton Clubs. His current pastimes are golf and bridge.
John can be contacted at:
john.forsythe@diamondheron.com
Tel 02890408220
ANNE COPELAND - CV
Anne graduated in Law from Queens University, Belfast in 1988 and the Institute of Professional and Legal Studies in 1990. She joined the firm in 1990 and initially gained wide experience across all legal sectors before specialising in her chosen areas. Anne became a partner in the firm in 2004.
Anne Specialises in private client law having attained years of experience in conveyancing and probate practice. She became a member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) in 2005 and Specialises in Will drafting and inheritance tax planning.
Anne also practices in matrimonial law and in recent years completed the collaborative law mediation course and has successfully negotiated many matrimonial settlements using the conventional law approach and the newer collaborative law approach.
Anne is a member of the Belfast Solicitors’ Association and Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.
Out of office she enjoys walking on Portstewart Strand and gardening.
Anne can be contacted at
Email anne.copeland@diamondheron.com
Tel: 02890408227
CATHERINE CHAMBERS – CV
Catherine qualified as a Solicitor in 1997 and joined Diamond Heron’s Litigation Department. In 2006 she became a Partner in the firm.
Catherine Specialises in litigation and has a broad range of experience from personal injury, commercial, employment/trade union law and transit law.
She is a member of the BAS, NICC and APIL.
Catherine can be contacted at
Email: catherine.chambers@diamondheron.com
Tel 02890408212
GAVAN HOLMES – CV
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Having graduated from Queens University Belfast, Gavan joined the firm in 1992 and was admitted as a Solicitor in 1994. He became a partner in Diamond Heron in 2005.
Gavan is experienced in all aspects of domestic conveyancing including house sales and purchases, Co-Ownership purchases and sale, Equity Release Mortgages and secured lending.
Gavan is a member of Belfast Solicitors Association and Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.
Outside of the office Gavan enjoys golf, racquet sports and motor-sports.
Gavan can be contacted at:
email@ gavan.holmes@diamondheron.com
tel 02890408230
BRIAN COLE – CV
Brian graduated from Queens’ University Belfast in 1995 and the Institute of Professional and Legal Studies in 1998. He began his legal career initially working in Dublin and then returning to Northern Ireland in 2001 to take up his position with Diamond Heron. Brian has in recent years been promoted to an Associate Solicitor in our firm.
Brian has had extensive experience in both High Court and County Court Litigation during his career. He has particular experience of cases in the Commercial Court, Chancery Court and Judicial Review Court.
Brian also practices in employment law and represents both Trade Union clients and private clients in the Industrial Tribunal.
Over the years Brian has successfully represented clients on behalf of our litigation department achieving enviable results. His track record speaks for itself to show he is an extremely capable litigator who can manage a case from inception to conclusion in a professional, efficient and dynamic manner to achieve the best possible result for the client.
He has also worked for many years in the Personal Injury field being a member of APIL and MASS.
Brian can be contacted at:
Email : brian.cole@diamondheron.com
Telephone 02890408223
Anna Watters - CV
Anna graduated in Law from University of Ulster, Jordanstown, in 1997 and the Institute of Professional and Legal Studies in 1999. She joined the litigation department of the firm in 2001. Anna has a broad client base and over the years has gained extensive experience of all aspects of civil litigation acting on behalf of both Plaintiff and Defence clients with the result that she is able to efficiently resolve cases. She has successfully negotiated many settlements as well as running cases in the County Courts across Northern Ireland and in the High Court, Belfast. Her main areas of practice are road traffic accident, employer’s liability and professional negligence cases. Anna is a member of the Belfast Solicitors’ Association and MASS, Motor Accident Solicitors Society. She has recently been appointed as a Tutor at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies. Out of office she enjoys caring for her three children and reading.
Anna can be contacted at
Email: anna.watters@diamondheron.com
Tel: 02890243726
CLARE DUDDY - CV
Clare graduated from Queens University, Belfast in 1999 with a degree in Law with French. After attending the Institute of Professional Studies in Belfast Clare was admitted to the roll of Solicitors in 2001.
Clare joined Diamond Heron as an apprentice Solicitor in 1999 and has since qualification practiced within the firm’s private client department, where she provides advice to client’s on a wide range of matters including:
Residential conveyancing.
Re-mortgaging.
Equity Release Schemes.
Will drafting.
Administration of Estates.
Preparation of and registration of Enduring Powers of Attorney.
Divorce.
Separation Agreements.
Clare can be contacted at
Email: clare.duddy@diamondheron.com
Tel: 02890408226
DAVID SMYTH – CV
David graduated in law from the University of Ulster in 2001 and the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (Certificate in Professional Legal Studies) in 2004.
David joined the firm in 2001 and following graduation from the Institute became an Assistant Solicitor in 2004. David on joining the firm initially focused on Domestic Conveyancing and Personal Injury Litigation but more recently has moved to our debt department and specializes in Debt Recovery and Insolvency
David is a member of Belfast Solicitors’ Association and has recently got married.
David can be contacted at
Email: david.smyth@diamondheron.com
Tel: 02890408229
JAMES McILVEEN - CV
Our Senior Legal Executive Mr James McIlveen is a Member of the Institute of Credit Management and has been appointed to sit on the panel of the Enforcement of Judgments Users Forum, proactive towards legislative change and the development of best practice in all areas of debt management.
27 years accumulated experience.
Joined SJ Diamond January 1999.
Soccer Coach and referee in the local leagues.
Jim can be contacted at
Email: james.mcilveen@diamondheron.com
Tel: 02890408211