THE north's largest independent law firm Carson McDowell has expanded the size of its offices to accommodate an increase of more than 33 new staff in the past 12 months.
And from tomorrow the firm will take over another floor of Murray House in central Belfast following substantial renovations, meaning it will occupy four of the five floors of the city centre office building.
Carson McDowell, the Legal 500’s current Law firm of the Year in Northern Ireland, said its expanded footprint is a statement of intent for the future.
The firm needed the additional space after a growth phase which has seen it increase its workforce at partner, associate, solicitor and trainee level, as well as the recruitment of additional support staff.
The new hires have been recruited into teams working across a wide range of disciplines including corporate, litigation, banking, commercial property and healthcare.
The firm currently employs 133 staff (78 lawyers), with 33 new employees joining in the past year and a further six jobs set to be recruited for before the end of the year.
Carson McDowell's managing partner Michael Johnston said the company was proud not to have downsized following the 2008 financial crisis and said that the increase in demand for the firm’s services should be taken as a good sign for the Northern Ireland economy.
He added: “Our expansion this year comes as a direct response to the increase in demand from our clients who are investing in their own growth, making acquisitions and moving into new markets.
"We have seen an upturn in the legal sector and we are looking forward to the future with optimism."
