Shoosmiths has sealed a merger with Belfast law firm McManus Kearney, handing the UK top 40 firm its first presence in Northern Ireland.

McManus Kearney, which specialises in debt recovery and insolvency, has two partners – Mary Frances Kearney and Jason Byrne – and 14 other staff. The team will remain in its current office on Montgomery Street in Belfast following the merger.

Shoosmiths chief executive Claire Rowe (pictured) said: "Our opening in Northern Ireland is symbolic of our commitment to our clients across the UK and ensuring our commercial and recoveries services are the best on offer.

"The move was motivated by client demand and by our wish to have a commercial presence in Northern Ireland, as a result of the work we undertake in recoveries and commercial financial services."

Shoosmiths has also opened its new office in Leeds today (1 December), meaning it now has UK bases in 10 locations in England – Birmingham, London, Leeds, Manchester, Reading, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Nottingham, Southampton and Basingstoke – as well as a base in Edinburgh.

The news comes after DWF also this week announced a move into the Northern Ireland market via a merger with 20-partner Belfast firm C & H Jefferson.

The Irish firm, which is particularly active in the insurance space as well as advising on areas such as corporate, banking, restructuring and real estate, will formally merge with DWF on 1 December.