Nigel Brown is the firm’s principal with a particular interest in construction litigation, banking disputes and procurement litigation.
Nigel joined McIldowies in 1996 as an assistant solicitor and became principal in 2004. Under his guidance the firm has grown into one of Northern Ireland’s leading commercial litigation practices, advising many of the region’s leading companies and developers.
Nigel is an accredited Adjudicator with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and has lectured at Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Ulster and the Construction Employers Federation. Nigel is also a member of the Commercial List Liaison Committee.
Gerry Ward worked as an in-house constitutional lawyer and legal editor in London for 4 years following his graduation from Lancaster University. He qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2003 and remains on the roll in that jurisdiction. He is also on the roll as a solicitor in the Republic of Ireland.
Gerry joined McIldowies in 2007 and is a valued member of the litigation team. His main area of practice is in Construction Litigation, Adjudication & Arbitration, Commercial Litigation and Insolvency. Gerry also advises claimants and respondents in employment related matters.
Kara Anderson advises in commercial litigation, conveyancing and probate matters. Kara’s area of practice also involves acting on behalf of commercial clients in banking matters and challenging personal guarantees.
Kara graduated from Queens University Belfast in 2007 with an LLB Honours, having obtained medal of honour in jurisprudence. She joined McIldowies as a trainee solicitor in September 2007. She qualified as a solicitor from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in 2009.
Shane is a commercial litigation solicitor with a strong focus on construction disputes. He regularly advises on adjudications, arbitrations, and procurement challenges. Shane also has a broad contentious practice encompassing corporate and employment disputes, as well as property litigation. He is highly proficient in alternative dispute resolution methods, particularly mediation, to achieve favourable outcomes for clients.
Shane graduated from University of Ulster with a First Class Honours, winning the ‘No Alibis’ prize for the highest mark in the Law of Evidence module, before graduating with a Distinction from the IPLS, having been awarded the ‘Owen Catchpole Prize’ for advocacy in the Solicitor Advocacy Module.
Niall McCullough primarily advises in litigation matters such as personal injury claims, public liability and dispute resolution. Niall’s area of practice also involves private client which encompasses residential conveyancing and probate matters.
Niall graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 2015 with an L.L.B. Honours and qualified as a solicitor from the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in 2017. He specialised in defence insurance at a UK national law firm before joining McIldowies in 2024. Niall is a qualified solicitor in Northern Ireland and is also on the roll as a solicitor in England and Wales.
