A&L Goodbody appoints Mark Stockdale as Head of Northern Ireland Office

A&L Goodbody (ALG) has appointed Mark Stockdale as head of its Northern Ireland office with effect from 1st January 2027. Mark will succeed Michael Neill who will take on the role of chairman of the Northern Irish firm after leading the office in Belfast since 2018.

Mark Stockdale is an experienced Corporate and M&A partner, who has headed the firm’s energy practice in Northern Ireland for many years having joined the firm in 2012. He is one of the leading energy lawyers in Northern Ireland and has advised on many of the most significant transactions in the jurisdiction, including the acquisitions of Phoenix Energy and Energia Group last year.

In recent years ALG has grown significantly to become one of the largest law firms in Northern Ireland with over 140 professionals. In the last nine years its revenue has more than doubled and it is widely regarded as one of the leading corporate law firms in the Northern Ireland. Mark Stockdale will now lead the Northern Ireland office in its next stage of growth.

Michael Neill will assume the role of chairman after leading the office in Belfast for nine years, succeeding Mark Thompson who has been chairman in Belfast for eight years. Michael is a highly experienced litigator and one of the most respected insolvency lawyers in Northern Ireland. Alongside his role as a senior partner in the firm, Michael will focus on supporting the firm’s strategic direction and engaging with clients and the wider business community.

David Widger, ALG Managing Partner, said: “First of all, I would like to sincerely thank Michael for his immense contribution as Head of Northern Ireland for the last nine years. I’m delighted he will continue to have a leadership role as Chairman of ALG NI. I would also like to thank Mark Thompson whose stewardship over many years has been instrumental to ALG’s success in Northern Ireland.”

“The office in Belfast has gone from strength to strength during their tenure, providing our clients with an offering that is second to none, particularly on an all-island basis. I would like to congratulate Mark on his appointment. He is steeped in our culture and ambition and I wish him and his team every success in the future.”

Mark Stockdale said: “Northern Ireland is uniquely positioned between the UK and the EU and has a real opportunity to leverage this to its advantage. Our clients want advisors who understand the opportunity and can act on it across the island of Ireland and beyond. As a top tier all-island law firm this is exactly what ALG offers. My priority is to continue to invest in our people and our business to make this possible. Michael has built an outstanding law firm and I am delighted to be working with him in his new role as chairman.”

Michael Neill said: “I am very proud of what we have built in Belfast, not only as a business but also the ways in which we have been able to contribute more broadly to our society. Mark has been a part of that journey for the last 15 years and he is the right person to lead the office into its next phase. I look forward to taking on the role of Chair from Mark Thompson, who has so ably stewarded the firm through the last eight years and leaves the role with our sincere thanks and appreciation.”

Mark’s appointment coincides with the 20th anniversary of the opening of the office in Belfast, which was founded in 2007. The firm is also undertaking a multi-million pound redevelopment of its offices in Northern Ireland which will be officially opened in January 2027. This follows on from the redevelopment of the firm’s Dublin office last year and demonstrates its long-term commitment to colleagues and clients across the island.

ALG’s Northern Ireland office advises domestic and international companies, financial institutions, investors and public bodies. It has won multiple awards in recent years, including Corporate Law Firm of the Year 2026 at the Northern Ireland Dealmaker Awards. The firm has offices in Belfast, Dublin, London, New York and San Francisco with 950 colleagues working seamlessly across the various jurisdictions.

Photo: Mark Stockdale (left) will become Head of A&L Goodbody's Northern Ireland office on 1 January 2027, succeeding Michael Neill (right), who will take on the role of Chairman after leading the Belfast office since 2018. Pictured in Belfast.

Date published: 9 November 2026