Business

Global legal firm Baker McKenzie to hire additional 150 staff in Belfast expansion

Baker McKenzie's current office in City Quays 1. The company has announced it is to lease a floor in City Quays 2 to facilitate further growth
Baker McKenzie's current office in City Quays 1. The company has announced it is to lease a floor in City Quays 2 to facilitate further growth Baker McKenzie's current office in City Quays 1. The company has announced it is to lease a floor in City Quays 2 to facilitate further growth

GLOBAL law firm Baker McKenzie is to create 150 new jobs in Belfast as part of major expansion plans.

The legal company, who first opened in the city back in 2014, has entered into an agreement with Belfast Harbour Commissioners to take additional office space in the City Quays development. The deal will see Baker McKenzie lease a floor in City Quays 2, a move which will see staff numbers in Northern Ireland grow from just under 300 to 450.

The expansion also allows the legal firm to develop and grow the services it currently provides in Belfast.

Baker McKenzie was the first tenant to move to grade A office space within City Quays 1 in June 2015, but is now nearing capacity in its existing premises.

Since setting up in late 2014 the Belfast office, one of 77 around the world, has grown rapidly and now provides over 30 legal and business services, including finance, corporate support, marketing and IT.

Executive director at Baker McKenzie, James Richards said the expansion underlines the firm's commitment to Belfast and Northern Ireland.

"The growth of our Belfast office has been a remarkable success story which would not have been possible without the exceptional pool of talent here from both legal and business backgrounds, which has allowed us to create highly skilled and specialised opportunities in Northern Ireland."

"Our lawyers and professional staff around the globe have been really impressed at what we have created in Belfast and we have become a major innovation hub for the firm. We have introduced a number of initiatives here that are not only benefitting our clients but have a direct impact on our financial performance," he added.

Belfast Harbour CEO, Joe O'Neill believes Baker McKenzie's expansion in the city is testament to the offering provided in the City Quays development.

“Cementing our relationship even further with Baker McKenzie and facilitating their ability to grow is something which makes us very proud," he said.

"City Quays 2 is Belfast Harbour’s response to ongoing demand by inward investors and indigenous firms for new Grade A office space in Belfast. The development has already established itself as the preferred destination for local and international business leaders and Baker McKenzie’s decision to expand into City Quays 2 is a clear testament to the quality of the space provided, its location for business and the infrastructure around it.”