Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Northern Ireland
Established in 1852, we are Northern Ireland's largest independent law firm, combining a rich heritage with a modern, dynamic approach to legal services. Our team of over 200 professionals, including 42 partners, operates across 29 specialist practice areas, delivering tailored solutions to Northern Ireland's Top 100 companies and international clients. Recognised as market leaders, we hold the highest rankings in Chambers & Partners UK and The Legal 500, with a proven track record in complex legal challenges and commercial transactions. Our commitment to excellence is underpinned by ISO 9001 accreditation, Cyber Essentials Plus certification, and a Bronze Diversity Mark for inclusive workplace practices.We prioritise client relationships, investing time to understand business needs and delivering results through innovative, commercially astute legal advice. With offices in Belfast and Dublin, we serve local and global clients while maintaining a strong community focus through corporate social responsibility initiatives. Our culture of continuous improvement and client-centric ethos ensures we remain the law firm of choice for organisations seeking market-leading expertise and service quality.
Services
Corporate Law
Commercial Property
Employment Law
Dispute Resolution
Real Estate
Mergers & Acquisitions
Regulatory Compliance
Intellectual Property
Private Client Services
Construction Law
Highlights and features
- Established in 1852 with continuous legal expertise
- Over 200 professionals including 42 partners
- Top rankings in Chambers & Partners UK across 11 practice areas
- Specialist sector knowledge across 29 legal disciplines
- ISO 9001 accredited quality management system
Associations and certifications
- ISO 9001
- Cyber Essentials Plus
- Bronze Diversity Mark
Services
Corporate Law
Our corporate law team advises on mergers, acquisitions, and business structures with sector-specific expertise. We handle complex transactions for local and international clients, including private equity deals and cross-border investments. Our practitioners combine technical excellence with commercial awareness to deliver practical solutions for businesses at all stages.
Commercial Property
We provide comprehensive real estate legal services covering acquisitions, development, and property finance. Our specialists handle commercial leases, property portfolios, and construction projects across multiple jurisdictions. With deep market knowledge, we deliver strategic advice on property investments and development opportunities in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Employment Law
Our employment law practice covers workplace disputes, HR policy development, and employment tribunal representation. We advise on complex employment issues including TUPE transfers, redundancy processes, and discrimination claims. Clients benefit from proactive guidance on compliance and risk management tailored to their specific industry requirements.
Dispute Resolution
We handle complex commercial disputes through litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution methods. Our team has extensive experience in high-value claims, regulatory investigations, and cross-border enforcement actions. We focus on achieving commercial outcomes while minimising business disruption for our clients through strategic legal representation.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Our M&A specialists advise on domestic and international transactions across various sectors. We provide end-to-end support for business sales, management buyouts, and corporate restructurings. With a track record in multi-million pound deals, we ensure smooth transaction processes while addressing tax, regulatory, and due diligence requirements for buyers and sellers.
People
Roger McMillan
Managing Partner
Leading the firm's strategic direction with extensive corporate law experience, Roger has driven Carson McDowell's growth while maintaining its position as Northern Ireland's top-ranked law firm.
Neasa Quigley
Senior Partner
As Senior Partner, Neasa oversees professional standards and client service excellence, bringing decades of legal expertise that have contributed to the firm's consistent top rankings in legal directories.
Questions
What areas of law does Carson McDowell specialise in?
We cover 29 practice areas including corporate law, commercial property, employment law, dispute resolution, and specialist sector legal services for industries like healthcare and manufacturing.
How experienced is the legal team?
Our 200+ legal professionals include 42 partners with extensive experience, many ranked as leading individuals in Chambers & Partners UK and The Legal 500.
What makes Carson McDowell different from other law firms?
We combine Northern Ireland's largest independent law firm status with international transaction capabilities, holding top rankings across more practice areas than any local competitor.
Where are your offices located?
We operate from Belfast (headquarters) and Dublin offices, serving clients across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and internationally through our legal networks.
Reviews (1)
Andrew Lloyd Gordon
Apr 20, 2013
Report
A great group of people to work with. The team there are obviously determined to do their best for clients. Highly recommended.
