A LEADING multinational law firm is expanding into Northern Ireland, creating 125 new jobs.
Fieldfisher is adding to its international office network through a new base in Belfast, which will house services including document negotiation and legal support. The company will create the 125 legal and business support jobs over the next three years and the staff will be housed within an office in Channel Wharf on the Old Channel Road in the city.
The new roles will have an average wage in the mid £20,000 range and will generate over £3.6 million in annual salaries for the local economy.
Fieldfisher is the latest international law firm to set up a base in the north, adding to the likes of heavyweights Baker McKenzie, Pinsent Masons and Allen & Overy. It is the fastest growing large UK law firm for the last two years
and current holder of Law Firm of the Year from The British Legal Awards and The Legal Business Awards.
Fieldfisher managing partner, Michael Chissick said the skilled workforce was a major selling point for setting up in Northern Ireland.
“We began exploring Northern Ireland as a base for this new office in early 2017, attracted by the stable supply of experienced and skilled people.
“Our new centre here will include senior positions in legal and risk management, as well as middle level technical and business support roles. We also have a number of roles suitable for graduates.
“The strong partnership between academia and industry was another attraction to investing here and ensures we will be able to work with colleges and universities to develop a future pipeline of qualified graduates."
"Northern Ireland is the next strategic stage in our continued growth and we are very excited to be able to provide a centre of excellence to support our offices around the world," Mr Chissick added.
Invest NI has offered £630,000 towards the creation of the new jobs and chief executive, Alastair Hamilton welcomed the addition to a growing sector.
“Northern Ireland’s legal sector has gone from strength to strength and has attracted several of the UK’s Top 50 firms. This is one of the priority sectors for inward investment and we are delighted Fieldfisher has joined this growing sector."
Fieldfisher has also established a strategic partnership with Holywood firm Donaldson Legal Services, now Donaldson Legal Consulting LLP. This took effect in late 2017.
Alison Donaldson, managing partner of Donaldson Legal Consulting, will also become managing partner of Fieldfisher Belfast.
“Our partnership with Fieldfisher has been very successful and the services we provide have helped the firm maintain its competitive edge, particularly in the financial services sector," Ms Donaldson added.
Fieldfisher is a multinational law firm headquartered in London, with staff across offices in Europe, China and the US.
