The firm has announced that it will be joining forces with McManus Kearney, a Belfast-based debt recovery and insolvency firm. The merger will bring Shoosmiths national office count to 12 and will mark its first venture into Northern Ireland. McManus Kearney currently has two partners – Mary Frances Kearney and Jason Byrne – and 14 staff, all of whom will operate under the Shoosmiths banner from today (2 December) and will remain based in the firm’s office in Belfast.

UK-wide service delivery

According to Shoosmiths chief executive Claire Rowe, the move into Norther Ireland was motivated by demand for a ‘truly national’ service for clients of its tier one-ranked recoveries services group. She commented: ‘Our opening in Northern Ireland is symbolic of our commitment to our clients across the UK and ensuring our commercial and recoveries services are the best on offer.’ Earlier this week, DWF announced its own first step into Belfast through a tie-up with local 20-partner firm C&H Jefferson.

 Sources: The Lawyer; Legal Week