London law firm Fieldfisher plots Northern Ireland expansion

London-headquartered law firm Fieldfisher is expanding into Northern Ireland.

The company’s new base, expected to create 125 jobs, will be part of a growing international network of offices across Europe, China and the US.

Economic development agency Invest Northern Ireland has offered Fieldfisher £630k to support the creation of the jobs.

Fieldfisher managing partner Michael Chissick said: “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.”

He continued: “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.

“We have been through an incredible period of success and have been the fastest growing large UK law firm for the last two years. 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.”

Alastair Hamilton, chief exec of Invest NI, commented: “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.”

He added: “Over the next three years Fieldfisher will be building its team in Northern Ireland with 125 roles across a range of functions. With an average salary in the mid £20,000s this investment will generate over £3.6m in annual salaries.”

Fieldfisher has UK sites in London, Manchester and Birmingham.