MacAllister McAleese has been established as a full-service practice by experienced solicitors David McAleese and Kevin MacAllister. The new venture was formed by a merger of niche commercial practice DMC Legal and long-standing local practice MacAllister Keenan, including the purchase of both client books and of the prominent office premises formerly owned by MacAllister Keenan in the town.

The transaction involved the directors buying out existing partners Brian Keenan and Terry MacAllister. Brian is now deserving a well-earned retirement while Terry, Kevin’s father, stays on as a consultant to the new firm.

Danske Bank provided loan and overdraft facilities to help finance the deal.

Following the merger, MacAllister McAleese’s client base is geographically spread around the breadth of Northern Ireland, but also includes many clients from further afield. Retaining dual qualification, David is able to service clients on business and property transactions in England and Wales as well as Northern Ireland, and a number of high value transactions have already been completed in both jurisdictions since the merger in November 2020. Kevin, an accredited solicitor advocate with the Law Society of Northern Ireland, specialises in court proceedings and represent clients at every court tier in the jurisdiction.

The firm covers everything from businesses, property and finance transactions to litigation, criminal law, family law and public liability.

David McAleese said: “Kevin and I have known one another over a number of years, so we were excited by an opportunity to work together. Working in contrasting but complementary areas of legal practice, there is significant cross-over with our clients and their needs. We have already seen there is strong demand for MacAllister McAleese’s offering, and that providing all areas of legal advice “under one roof” is a real selling point. We are able to provide clients with levels of experience normally seen in larger firms, but without the city-centre rates, and see this as a unique selling point for the firm.”

He added: “Danske Bank was the incumbent bank for the previous practice and they were quick to come forward with the financing we needed to buy out the existing partners and help us form the company. It was all done quickly and seamlessly, which is an achievement in itself but even more so in the midst of the COVID restrictions at the time.”

Kevin MacAllister said: “My late grandfather, James L MacAllister, started practicing law over 70 years ago and I’m honoured to be able to carry on the family tradition of providing legal services to the local community and beyond. I’m delighted to have formed this new practice with David. The formation of MacAllister McAleese will provide continuity to our existing clients whilst also creating opportunities for the practice to grow and develop by offering a full range of legal services to clients throughout Northern Ireland and beyond.”

Aaron Ennis, Head of North Business Centre at Danske Bank, said: “We’re focused on helping Northern Ireland grow again and are pleased to have supported David and Kevin as they set up their new solicitors’ practice, maintaining the strong generational link we had with the previous firm under Kevin’s father. It is a positive development for the local area and we look forward to seeing the firm continue to thrive in future.”