Loyalty to an employer is known to be very strong in the Dublin legal world, particularly at higher levels. It's thus something of a surprise to learn that Niall Coleman, a long-time Beauchamps man is moving to smaller (but still sizable) competitor WhitneyMoore.

Coleman was managing partner at Beauchamps between 1995 and 2001 and, as is the fashion, became a consultant at the firm after he handed over the reins. At WhitneyMoore, he will also act as a consultant, with his experience in commercial property likely to have heightened his appeal for the firm.

WhitneyMoore is clearly on the growth path under managing partner Stephen Walker, having merged in January with Moriarty & Co, a five-lawyer financial litigation firm.