Belfast-based law firm Carson McDowell has maintained its position at the top of industry guides, Chambers UK and the Legal 500.  

The North’s largest independent law firm achieved ‘Band 1’ rating in 20 out of 25 practice areas and 24 ‘Band 1’ rankings for individual lawyers in the Chambers UK 2021 rankings. 

The firm’s licensing team was awarded ‘Band 1’ status this year for the first time.

The firm also outranked competitors in the Legal 500 earlier this month, with 12 out of 13 practice areas achieving Tier 1 status, 12 lawyers recognised as leading individuals and a further eight listed in the directory’s hall of fame.

Milestone 

For the second year running, it was also ranked as Tier 1 in the planning and environment category.

In early 2020, the firm reached the milestone of employing 100 lawyers for the first time.

Over two-thirds of these are women, and the firm’s total headcount is over 180 people. 

Managing partner Roger McMillan said that since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March, the firm’s advice and expertise has been in high demand.

Clients

“Carson McDowell has always been 100% focused on delivering for our clients and since coronavirus struck, disrupting all of our lives and most sectors of the economy, we have concentrated on helping them meet the challenges to their businesses,” he said. 

“We are fortunate to represent a range of commercially sophisticated local businesses and high-profile international clients operating in and from Northern Ireland. 

"It has not been an easy year for any business, but I am very proud of the contribution that our people have made across multiple service lines to help our clients to adapt and adjust to the new normal.”

Talent 

Senior partner Neasa Quigley added: “Carson McDowell has long had a policy of hiring and developing the best talent and I know from the feedback we get from our clients that they value the expertise our teams provide.” 

The Chambers UK guide, which ranks the best law firms and lawyers, covers 50 cities and counties in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Legal 500 is regarded as the world’s largest legal referral guide with over four million website visits each year.