MR Brian O'Donnell (right) has been appointed managing partner at Dublin-based solicitors, William Fry. Mr O'Donnell, who takes over this month from Mr Neville O'Byrne, has been a partner at the firm since 1982, specialising in corporate law, advising principally on mergers and acquisitions. He qualified as a solicitor in 1976 and is a member of the Institute of Taxation in Ireland. Mr O'Donnell is currently legal adviser to Waterford Wedgewood, Irish Life and the Hibernian group.