Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ambition Magazine

NEWS

Two of Northern Ireland’s leading law firms have joined forces to create a new practice with an all-Ireland reach. P.A. Duffy and Co Solicitors and Logan and Corry Solicitors merged 1st September, with the company now operating as P.A. Duffy and Co Solicitors. The enlarged firm will be chaired by respected lawyer and All-Ireland winning Tyrone senior manager and former GAA player Feargal Logan, alongside Managing Director Conal McGarrity. With offices in Dungannon, Omagh, Belfast and Dublin and 50 staff, the partners say the combination adds scale without losing local roots. The new firm, after close collaboration between the partners, pairs scale with clear accountability and has its roots in the close personal relationship between the chair and MD. Mr Logan previously undertook work experience at P.A. Duffy and has a long association with the Duffy family, which reinforces continuity and lends a natural cohesion to the agreement. P.A. Duy & Co merge with Logan & Corry to form powerhouse law firm

“Joining forces made sense,” Mr McGarrity said, pointing to a complementary blend of values and people. “Both firms share the same vision for the future and we felt working together would help us achieve our objectives.” The tie-up also provides a platform for further expansion as the practice pursues its ambition to become a leading all-Ireland law firm with even wider reach. Chair Feargal Logan said he was enthusiastic about the next chapter for staff and clients alike. “I feel humbled by all that has been achieved in Logan and Corry Solicitors over the past 30 years and buoyed by the heritage, longevity, expertise and ambition of P.A. Duffy and Co Solicitors into the future,” he said. “Coupled with the support, confidence and trust of each other and our respective client bases, I look ahead to a very bright and productive future for all involved. “Our shared vision is to be one of the leading practices across Ireland, providing high-quality and enhanced legal services for commercial and private clients in the decades to come.” Conal McGarrity described the move as an exciting new era for the law firm. “This is an opportunity for us to build something that is totally unique and innovative,” he said. “Whilst remaining rooted regionally, it allows us to bring together collective expertise and to have a legal firm on a scale that can compete and deliver services on a par with other practices throughout Ireland.”

Northern Ireland’s largest independent law firm has expanded its trainee solicitor programme to record levels, with 11 new trainees joining this year and 21 trainees now in total across the business. The firm say that the scale of the programme reflects Carson McDowell’s sustained growth and its commitment Carson McDowell builds largest ever trainee cohort as firm continues growth

FinTrU has officially opened its newly expanded and refurbished office at Carlisle House in Derry/ Londonderry. This marks a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing investment in the region and commitment to advancing technology-driven Client Lifecycle Management in the financial services sector. Located in the heart of the city, Carlisle House is steeped in history, having once served as a shirt factory. FinTrU has sensitively restored and modernised the building, blending its industrial heritage with state-of-the-art facilities designed to support a collaborative and contemporary working environment. The refurbishment includes high-performance workstations, digitally integrated meeting rooms, and employee-focused amenities. Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, Minister for the Economy, who cut the ribbon at the official opening using a pair of shirt factory scissors dating back to 1962, said: “The north is internationally renowned for providing leading FinTrU celebrates major o ce expansion at Carlisle House in Derry/Londonderry

services across the financial services sector, and FinTrU is a vital part of this ecosystem. The company has made a significant contribution to the local economy through its commitment to regional growth, job creation, and skills development. I’m therefore delighted to open FinTrU’s largest single office globally here in the North West, and I wish the company many more years of growth and success.”

John Healy (Chair of the Board, FinTrU), Katrien Roppe (Chief of Staff, FinTrU), Kathleen McDermott (Executive Director, FinTrU), Greg McCann (Executive Director – North West Site Lead, FinTrU), Mayor Cllr Ruairí McHugh (Derry City and Strabane District Council), Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA (Department for the Economy), Darragh McCarthy (Founder & CEO, FinTrU), Richard McGuinness (Chief Operating Officer, FinTrU), Kathryn Harkin (Executive Director – Head of AI, FinTrU).

to creating more opportunities for

young lawyers than any other Northern Ireland-headquartered law firm.

4