Davidson McDonnell

Directors: Ross Davidson, David McDonnell, Vicky Dummigan

Partners: 7

Other Lawyers: 15 qualified lawyers and 5 legal executives.

Banking & Finance: Aisling Owens, Ross Davidson, David McDonnell

Corporate M&A: Vicky Dummigan, Raymond Duddy

Disputes & Litigation: Barbara Creed, Elise Quigley, Shane McVeigh

Licencing, Betting & Gaming: Christopher Bullock

Private Client: Victoria Sterritt, Sara Ord, Rachael McKee

Real Estate: Ross Davidson, David McDonnell, Michaela Kilpatrick, Emma Robertson, Ben Fraser

Davidson McDonnell is regarded as one of the leading independent commercial law firms in Northern Ireland, handling some of the highest value, most complex mandates in the local market and regularly acting on cross-border and international transactions. The hallmark of the firm is its degree of specialism within its practice areas of real estate, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and insolvency, banking and finance, disputes and litigation, licencing, betting and gaming and private client. It has departments and individual lawyers recognised as market leaders in the UK’s top independent legal directories. The firm is also ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 accredited. Several of its lawyers are dual qualified and regularly advise on matters in both Northern Ireland and England & Wales. The firm is often instructed by top tier firms in GB, Ireland and internationally to act on the Northern Irish aspects of multi-jurisdictional transactions.

Banking and Finance:

The banking and finance team has extensive experience of high value and complex debt and mezzanine finance structures, project and asset finance and all types of secured and unsecured lending. The team acts on behalf of corporate and individual borrowers, banks, and other financial institutions and lenders. The team is qualified to practise in Northern Ireland and Ireland and delivers an exceptional client service with a strong commercial focus.

Corporate and M&A:

The Corporate team provide specialist corporate and commercial advice to local and international clients across all sectors. The team is qualified to advise in both Northern Ireland and England & Wales and regularly advise on high value, complex deals in both jurisdictions. Widely regarded as leading advisors in the Northern Ireland market, the Corporate team at Davidson McDonnell offer pragmatic, commercially focused advice, drawing on their wealth of experience and technical excellence. The team’s collaborative style, extensive transactional experience and independence make them particularly suited to supporting large GB, Irish and international firms who require transaction support in Northern Ireland.

Disputes & Litigation:

The disputes & litigation team is highly experienced at providing litigation and dispute resolution advice on contentious and non-contentious commercial matters. They regularly act on complex high value cases acting for a wide range of clients across corporate, real estate, professional negligence, product liability, IP, data protection, confidentiality, judicial review, procurement and construction matters. They are qualified to act in Northern Ireland and England & Wales and are known as a pragmatic, commercially minded team who seek the best outcome for the client on every matter.

Licencing, Betting and Gaming:

The licencing team gives in-depth advice in respect of all licensing applications, including Intoxicating Liquor Licences, Bookmakers Licences (both personal and office) and Bingo Club Licences in Northern Ireland. The firm provide professional insight into the statutory framework covering each application which includes establishing title, consideration of planning and building control matters and all requisite compliance issues.

Private Client:

The Private Client team at Davidson McDonnell advise on a range of private client services, including residential conveyancing, divorce, wills and estate planning matters. They are dedicated to providing the highest quality legal advice and service levels to private clients. The team regularly interfaces with financial advisors, accountants and other professionals to ensure that a holistic service is provided, and to conclude matters as efficiently as possible.

Real Estate:

The Real Estate team regularly advise on high value, complex deals in Northern Ireland and England and are regularly instructed by other top tier firms in GB, Ireland and Internationally to act on the Northern Irish property aspects of multi-jurisdictional transactions. Their core practice areas are the Sale and purchase of all types of commercial property, lease transactions acting for both landlords and tenants, development and joint venture arrangements, property-based secured lending transactions, construction, property management, effect and implications of Northern Irish business tenancies legislation.

Restructuring & Insolvency:

The Restructuring and Insolvency team at Davidson McDonnell has a wide range of experience in all areas of restructuring and insolvency law, including corporate and personal insolvency. Providing clear and practical advice on areas such as the appointment and duties of office holders, recovery of assets, reviewable transactions, title and possession claims, directors’ duties to creditors, restructuring strategies, pre-pack administrations, security reviews, security enhancement and enforcement options, and the sale and purchase of distressed businesses.