Who We Are
Our People
Philip Gilliland, Managing Partner – Corporate & Commercial
Philip is the firm’s Managing Partner and heads up Caldwell & Robinson’s Corporate & Commercial team. He regularly negotiates Irish and Northern Irish transactions in which there are particularly complex ownership, international and succession issues. He provides commercially focused advice and is recognised for his ability to provide both legally accurate and practical advice, offering solutions tailored to fit clients’ needs before issues become contentious or protracted.
Philip has also worked extensively in international sourcing and organisation building, allowing him to look at issues outside of a legal vacuum and better appreciate commercial contexts.
He is a regular speaker at conferences on legal aspects of international trade, particularly within emerging markets. Former President of the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, Philip is the current Chair of Avrio Advocati and is a former Director of Catalyst Inc (formerly the Northern Ireland Science Park).
A Derry native, he was educated at the University of Edinburgh, University of Pennsylvania, and the College of Law, before beginning his legal career at Clifford Chance in London and Brussels. He returned to Derry to work in a non-legal capacity for manufacturers Desmond & Sons Ltd., Marks & Spencer plc, and J. Sainsbury plc as General Manager Asia, before joining Caldwell & Robinson. These roles have given him extensive commercial experience in the developing markets of China, South Asia, and Eastern Europe.
E: philip.gilliland@caldwellrobinson.com
T: 0044 (0) 2871 261 334
Killian Margey, Consultant – Corporate
With experience working for international law firms in Paris, Brussels and Stockholm, as well as the European Commission, Killian is able to negotiate successfully around complicated legal issues and to deal diplomatically with the interests of other parties while ensuring that his clients’ interests are properly protected. He has significant experience advising private sector organisations on a wide range of corporate legal documentation.
Killian graduated from the University of Galway with a B.A. (Hons) and an L.L.B. (Hons). He subsequently trained with William Fry in Dublin, qualifying in 2000. He then joined Tughans in Northern Ireland in 2003, becoming a partner in Tughans’ Corporate Department in 2006, before joining Caldwell & Robinson in 2013.
E: killian.margey@caldwellrobinson.com
T: 0044 (0) 2871 261 334
Emmett Maginn, Partner – Head of Dispute Resolution
- General commercial disputes, including breach of contract and negligence
- Contentious corporate matters, including shareholder disputes
- Insolvency actions
- Procurement disputes
- Information governance, data protection, and breach of confidence issues
- Debt recovery
Emmett is a highly experienced advocate with over 10 years’ experience of advocating in courts in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England, and Wales. He also delivers regular training to external organisations across the range of practice areas referred to above.
E: emmett.maginn@caldwellrobinson.com
T: 0044 (0) 2871 261 334
William McFarlane – Commercial Property
William graduated from Queens University Belfast in 1996 and qualified as a solicitor in 1998. He has since worked in property and litigation and joined Caldwell & Robinson in 2018.
E: william.mcfarlane@caldwellrobinson.com
T: 0044 (0) 2871 261 334
Jade O’Kane – Private Client
Jade studied Law at Queen’s University Belfast, where she achieved first place in Conveyancing and was awarded the McKane Medal for achieving first place in Jurisprudence. She undertook her professional legal training at the Graduate School of Professional Legal Education at the University of Ulster, and won the prestigious Arthur Cox prize for being placed first overall in the Postgraduate Diploma in professional legal practice. Since qualifying, she has also completed a course in Commercial Conveyancing.
“What impresses me most about Jade is her efficiency and attention to detail. I would be happy to recommend Jade to anyone because I know the level of service that she has given me and my customers in the past. She is a pleasure to work with.” (A. McE.)
E: j.okane@caldwellrobinson.com
T: 0044 (0) 2871 261 334
Aoifé McColgan – Trainee Solicitor
E: aoife.mccolgan@caldwellrobinson.com
T: 0044 (0) 2871 261 334