Firm Profile > Carson McDowell > Belfast, Northern Ireland

Banking and finance Tier 1

Carson McDowell is a key player in the market for real estate finance mandates and is highly skilled in financing the acquisition and development of commercial and residential properties. Sinéad McGrath leads the team and has advised domestic and international banks and financial institutions on financing developments in the retail, hospitality and education sectors. McGrath is often supported by senior associate Emma Copeland, who has significant experience advising on housing association issues and residential developments.

Commercial property Tier 1

Carson McDowell advises on some of the biggest property transactions in the market, with a client base that includes major foreign investors such as Threadneedle and Investec, as well as local names such as Belfast International Airport. Dawson McConkey leads the team and has a special interest in the property aspects of major energy deals. Emma Cooper is another key member and similarly has a strong focus on the energy sector. Former practice head Rosemary Carson continues to work with the team as a consultant.

Construction Tier 1

Carson McDowell has worked on key construction projects in the region, particularly in relation to the redevelopment of Belfast Harbour.  Practice head Stuart Murphy has been leading on these mandates and is also active in advising local developers such as John Graham Construction on developments across the UK and Ireland. The team has also been strengthened with the arrival of construction contracts specialist John Dugdale from A&L Goodbody.

Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Carson McDowell is a key name in the market for corporate deals involving the energy and agri-food industries, with a growing foothold in the private equity and venture capital arenas. The 'truly exceptional' Richard Gray leads the team and advises major domestic companies including SHS Group and Lagan Investments. Neasa Quigley is a key name for energy and private equity work and was made senior partner in 2019, while Gerard Armstrong stands out for his skills in the agri-food, waste and construction sectors. Former managing partner Michael Johnston is now a consultant.

Dispute resolution Tier 1

Often instructed in High Court litigation, Carson McDowell's highly diverse expertise in dispute resolution encompasses media defamation issues, professional indemnity claims, construction litigation, debt recovery work and contractual disputes. Declan Magee leads the practice and has notable experience in major media cases involving defamation elements and injunctions; he has also been active in criminal cases involving public bodies. Senior litigator Hugh McGrattan is a key name for professional indemnity work, and has represented insurers and individuals in the legal, accountancy, architecture and engineering sectors. Darren Toombs handles debt recovery mandates and has represented liquidators, trustees and administrators, while Peter Guzhar focuses broadly on commercial litigation with additional expertise in IP issues.

Employment Tier 1

Carson McDowell handles the full spectrum of employment work and is instructed by heavily unionised and quasi-public entities including Ulster University, Translink and Royal Mail. The 'very personable, efficient and hardworking' Orlagh O’Neill leads the team and is particularly strong at handling grievance and whistleblowing investigations. Rachel Penny, who is an expert in TUPE regulations and restructuring mandates, is also a key name to note.

Energy, project finance and PFI Tier 1

The practice at Carson McDowell runs the gamut of corporate, commercial and finance work relating to energy projects, and also draws on the support of planning and environment specialist Gary McGhee. Neasa Quigley, who leads the team, is an expert in energy-related corporate transactions. Project finance work is primarily handled by Sinead McGrath, while property work is Emma Cooper's core area of expertise. Gerard Armstrong has extensive experience in PFI/PPP work.

Hall of Fame Tier 1

Intellectual property Tier 1

Carson McDowell is very active in licensing, enforcement and registration matters with a strong emphasis on the life sciences, engineering and technology sectors. Litigator Declan Magee is a key name and is highly skilled in the electronics and engineering industry. Peter Guzhar is another notable name for disputes, particularly in relation to patent infringements. For non-contentious work, Dawn McKnight is strong credentials for IP contracts involving the life sciences, manufacturing and technology sectors.

IT and telecoms Tier 1

With expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters, Carson McDowell has built up a strong reputation in the market for advising traditional companies on digital transformations, as well as advising tech start-ups on licensing and development issues. Dawn McKnight is the key name of note and advises on IT contracts, hosting agreements and cybersecurity. Peter Guzhar brings another dimension to the practice with his expertise in software patent and copyright disputes.

Personal injury and clinical negligence: defendant Tier 1

The 'excellent' Carson McDowell has 'expertise in all areas of civil litigation, including industrial disease claims' and 'experience in handling the defence of complex investigations'. Managing partner Roger McMillan, who jointly leads the team, has extensive experience in handling clinical negligence claims. Fellow practice head Claire Harmer focuses on personal injury cases involving motor and work accidents, with expertise in examining employer's and public liability. Jacqueline McAleese splits her time between Belfast and Dublin and is an expert in clinical negligence claims. Newly promoted partner Catherine Carton is well regarded for public and employer liability claims.

Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 1

Attracting praise for being 'approachable', 'knowledgeable' and 'instilling trust and respect', the team at Carson McDowell has a strong track record of work on high value and cross-border estate administration and planning. Neil Bleakley leads the team and has recently advised on estates valued at as much as £250m, with extensive experience in disputes over the interpretation of wills and trusts, as well as mental capacity matters. Associate Fiona Kirkpatrick is another key name, and has strong experience of handling high value trust administrations.

Planning and environment Tier 1

Carson McDowell has 'unrivalled strength in providing planning and environment advice in NI', and the team is described as having 'set itself apart in the planning litigation sphere'. Practice head Gary McGhee has a primary focus on planning and environmental law, with extensive experience in planning applications, appeals and inquiries. Grant McBurney is another key name and is particularly strong in on waste and contaminated land matters. Associate Sarah Dunlop is also highly recommended.

Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 2

With expertise in contentious and non-contentious matters, Carson McDowell has represented key names in the financial services sector including EY, KPMG and Grant Thornton. Darren Toombs jointly leads the team and stands out for his insolvency litigation expertise, acting for trustees, liquidators and administrators. Fellow practice head Sinead McGrath is adept at advisory work and has a client base consisting of major banks, borrowers and financial institutions. At the junior end of the team, Shane McVeigh is singled out as 'an excellent associate'.

Ireland > Insurance Tier 3

With offices in Belfast and Dublin, Carson McDowell is 'an up-and-coming player in the defence healthcare market'; it has expanded its operations in the Republic of Ireland recently with a number of new arrivals at associate level. The firm represents insurers in cases involving product liability, injury, and employer liability. The practice is led by Roger McMillan, who is also heads the healthcare group; Jacqueline McAleese, who specialises in clinical claims; and Claire Harmer, who acts in a wide range of claims.