ONE of Belfast's longest-established law firms has formed a strategic alliance with a practice in the Republic which enables it to provide an all-Ireland legal service for national and international clients who trade in both parts of the island.
The tie-up is between John McKee Solicitors, founded in Belfast in 1887 as a family practice and now an established commercial law firm with eight partners and 48 employees, and larger practice Ronan Daly Jermyn, which has offices in Cork, Dublin, Galway and London.
The parties say move is designed to ensure clients of both firms have access to the best legal advice across the entire island.
Ronan Daly Jermyn managing partner Richard Martin said: “For some time now there has been a developing need, particularly among clients who are based away from these shores, for an all-island solution to their legal needs in Ireland, so we're delighted to forge this alliance with John McKee.
"It enables close cooperation between our firms in offering the best legal support in Dublin, Belfast, Cork and Galway, as well as in London. Whether through John McKee or through Ronan Daly Jermyn, this alliance makes life easier for clients of both firms doing business right across the island of Ireland.”
Chris Ross, managing partner of John McKee, added: “We are an established, ambitious and growing firm with already significant involvement in the international market.
"A strategic alliance with a law firm of the experience, stature and profile of Ronan Daly Jermyn has been one of our strategic growth objectives for some time.
"Having met and had discussions with the Ronan Daly Jermyn partners, we were impressed not only by the dynamic and progressive approach of the firm, but also the strong chemistry that exists between both sets of partners. We're confident this will translate into a broader, stronger and enhanced offering for the clients of both firms.”
John McKee - which three years ago also opened an office in London - has specialist capability in financial services, dispute resolution, real estate and corporate legal services for both local and internationally focused clients.
It has established a reputation as one of the foremost banking and litigation practices in Northern Ireland, acting for all of the major banks.
Ronan Daly Jermyn has a staff of 230 people including almost 100 lawyers who handle a full range of transactions for local, national, international, private and public sector clients.
