25 Years at the Heart of the

25 Years at the Heart of the NI Economy

As Arthur Cox marks 25 years since the foundation of its Belfast office, the leading corporate law firm’s Chairman Alan Taylor and Managing Partner Catriona Gibson spoke to Ambition, reflecting on a quarter of a century operating at the centre of the economy.

Arthur Cox’s Alan Taylor and Catriona Gibson.

First emerging onto the Belfast legal scene in 1996, Arthur Cox entered a world vastly different to what it is today and, in terms of Northern Ireland, almost unrecognisable.

Soon established as one of the foremost law practices operating locally, Arthur Cox built a strong reputation for providing trusted and pragmatic legal advice to leading organisations from across the public, private, and third sectors.

It has always been that way, explained Catriona Gibson, managing partner of the Belfast practice, adding however that the sectoral makeup of those organisations had changed dramatically over the years.

“I think one of the most striking things that we’ve seen throughout the history of Arthur Cox’s office in Belfast, and certainly during my time at the firm, is the emergence of new industries and sectors that, at one time, seemed impossible,” she said.

“Northern Ireland is now a major centre of excellence for burgeoning sectors such as technology, film and television production, advanced engineering and manufacturing, R&D and many others.

“It is something that we are seeing in the continued diversification of our client portfolio, not just in terms of sectors, but in the increasing number of international players, keen to invest locally.”

Joining Arthur Cox as a partner in 2006, Catriona assumed the role of managing partner a decade later, building on the foundations laid by Alan Taylor as he moved into the role of Chairman.

For Alan Taylor, the developments over the past 25 years are a reminder of “just how far we’ve come”.

“When you think about where we were in 1996 in terms of a society and an economy, it could scarcely be any more different than where we find ourselves today,” he said.

“At that point, the internet was still in its very early stages and traditional industries remained dominant.

“Throughout the intervening years, there have been many challenges – from the property price crash to the global recession and more recently, of course, the coronavirus pandemic. Yet, at every stage, our economy has emerged the stronger for it.”

Considering what the future might hold, Catriona remarked that “standing still” is not in the Arthur Cox vocabulary.

“Arthur Cox has an incredible culture of progression, proactivity and partnership that puts our strong roster of clients first. Working hard to meet the growing and developing needs of the organisations we represent, ensures that we continue to provide advice that is both nuanced and innovative,” she said.

And at all times, the values of the firm will remain steadfast, concerned not just with continually evolving to remain on the cutting edge of legal developments, but also playing a part in wider business and community life.

Alan said:

“We are very aware that we do not work in isolation. As a firm and individuals, we are active members of various business organisations such as the Northern Ireland Chamber, which we view as important for our own development and in enabling us to make a positive contribution to the corporate community.

“Our programme of corporate social responsibility activity, meanwhile, is something we are especially proud of. Staff at all levels take part in various events throughout the year, volunteering with Business in the Community or fundraising for our charity partner The Fostering Network.

“It has quite simply always been an essential part of what we do and will be for the next 25 years and well beyond that.”

The wider Arthur Cox firm – headquartered in Dublin – marked 100 years since its eponymous founder established a practice at St Stephen’s Green in the city.

The Belfast office advises on a wide spectrum of law including mergers and acquisitions, projects and procurement, commercial property and construction, environment and planning, commercial and finance litigation, energy, licensing and intellectual property.

With additional offices in Dublin, London, New York, and San Francisco the firm has a local face but a global focus.

Alan Taylor

“Arthur Cox has an incredible culture of progression, proactivity and partnership that puts our strong roster of clients first. Working hard to meet the growing and developing needs of the organisations we represent, ensures that we continue to provide advice that is both nuanced and innovative.”