The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > Northern Ireland > Corporate and M&A

‘What sets A&L Goodbody apart, especially in Northern Ireland, is the range of expertise and experience readily available from the practice and its team of specialists. It really is a veritable one-stop-shop for corporate finance, M&A guidance and services, acquisitions and strategic advisory support.’

‘No other practice in Northern Ireland offers the same breadth or quality of expertise and experience. The team has never failed to respond quickly and effectively to my requests for assistance.’

‘The Belfast office can draw on advice and support from its UK and Ireland network. No other practice offers such a quality service. Goodbody really is an exceptional business service.’

‘Everyone in the Belfast office has vast knowledge of various aspects of business. They have a host of contacts in the profession and in business. I have been thoroughly impressed by the entire team and the ability of members to respond quickly and effectively with advice and expert services over many years.’

‘David Rowan brings tremendous expertise especially in corporate and commercial law.’

‘I’ve been able to call on Peter Stafford’s immense knowledge on buy-outs and disposals and strategic advisory work over many years. He has helped to steer me to complete a number of high-value projects successfully, avoiding pitfalls and other challenges. I’ve benefited enormously from being able to call on his knowledge and experience ‘round the clock’ before taking decisions, during the implementation of these and subsequent follow-up.’

‘The A&LG team are a full service firm with strong skill sets and experience. They are one of the strongest corporate law firms in Northern Ireland.’

‘A&L have a senior team with real strength and depth. They are able to lead on multiple complex transactions, delivering service excellence and always in a friendly manner. It’s always a pleasure working with the A&L team.’

‘Peter Stafford is a trusted adviser who provides sound commercial advice in an easy to understand way.’

‘We had one of the best experiences with Arthur Cox. They are very responsive, very accommodating of the clients fee requirements, and we are also very impressed with their close connection with the banking and business communities in Northern Ireland, which was critical when we were dealing with a major business on the brink of insolvency. ‘

‘We have to deal with suppliers, clients, employees, lenders on regular basis and it would not have been possible without Arthur Cox’s guidance. Lyndsey Mallon was the lead partner on that transaction. She is apparently a veteran corporate lawyer with very strong M&A experience and also well-versed in the debt restructuring process (the target was in financial difficulties at the time of the transaction). ‘

‘Lynsey Mallon also receives very strong support from her colleagues in corporate, banking, real estate and labour practice groups, and we are very impressed of her skill set and coordination capabilities.’

‘Arthur Cox are our trusted advisers and we highly value their input on our private equity investments and property development projects. They are always responsive and provide timely, accurate advice and guidance based on our needs. ‘

‘They are unique in that they bring a rounded business perspective as well as sound legal and technical advice to our work. They have supported us to set up our family office structure and continue to provide sound advice regarding planning our family affairs. ‘

‘Lynsey Mallon is a shrewd and trusted adviser, who provides rounded advice and guidance in our commercial transactions. Her team’s attention to detail and technical knowledge is outstanding. ‘

‘I find that Arthur Cox is unique in that I have direct access to the senior team and they put me in touch with one of their team who can answer my questions quickly and with accuracy.’

‘Paul McBride is very engaging and accommodating and always solution focused. Paul always makes clients feel that Arthur Cox can help to resolve their issue.’

‘Richard Gray is a truly exceptional lawyer. Always patient; always takes time to explain; delivers his advice with total professionalism and, when the situation deserves, with appropriate humour.’

‘Cleaver Fulton Rankin have been resourced with an experienced and respected leader in Hilary Griffith. She has considerable Corporate & M&A experience within Northern Ireland and beyond, and it shows. We had previously worked with her, and have found that Cleavers is the team that best fits us, balancing expertise with value for money and a helpful approach.’

‘We have found the communication skills, level heads and pragmatic approach to be particularly to our liking.’

‘Hilary Griffith who leads our account has a pragmatic, business-focused approach. She is clear-thinking and practical, and capable of tailoring advice to an individual situation, and explaining clearly.’

‘Kathryn Laverty, an Associate, reflects Hilary’s approach with a similar skillset. She has good communication skills and a can-do approach.’

‘ Commercial, focused and personable. Grasps the key points to be covered off quickly.’

‘Damian McParland is an exceptional lawyer. He is very commercial, on the key points, but the detail gets done also.’

‘The firm provides an excellent all-round level of service. Partners/Staff are technically very good and work is done in a very timely and proactive manner. ‘

‘Partners and staff are easily accessible whenever you need to speak to them.’

‘Damian McParland was excellent. Damian was also exceptional on very quickly getting to grips with the commercial reality of the deal and he decided at a very early stage what was important and what was not so that the transaction progressed as quickly and efficiently as possible.’

‘Damian was always available to deal with issues personally himself in a very timely and proactive manner.’

‘Millar McCall Wylie are very pragmatic in their approach to transactions and look for solutions not problems when undertaking work.’

‘The firm, and Damian McParland in particular, are very approachable and have a real understanding of the issues at stake.’

‘Diverse firm with excellent lawyers and very commercial people within the firm. Damian McParland – always accessible for quick steers in the early stages and excellent on transactions.’

‘MMW have a broad range of expertise for a small business such as ourselves, along with a down to earth approach to getting things completed.’

‘Accessibility to the partners is key and they excel at this, again making their service very distinct to some of their competitors. Damian has to be one the best in the business in the area of M&A, having a great attitude to commerciality and progressing deals.’

‘A genuine personal relationship with us as clients.’

‘Regular communication on all matters.’

‘Chris Guy was very responsive and provided an excellent service.’

‘Highly competent, pragmatic and client focused. Grant Edwards and Andrew Jennings are both highly competent, pragmatic and eager to deliver to client demands and time frames.’

‘Grant Edwards, to date has been extremely good. Grant is technically very strong and a good negotiator on our behalf. His advice is always calm and measured, proactive and has taken the time to understand our investment stance and perspective on deals so that they can tailor their advice accordingly.’

‘Proactive – planning well ahead to meet the necessary deadlines. Good communicators bringing the rest of the team along with them. Responded to all queries in a very efficient manner.’