Real Estate
UK Guide 2025 : Northern Ireland
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(028) 9024 4951About
Provided by Carson McDowell
Carson McDowell has the largest, most experienced real estate team in Northern Ireland. All our long-term partners are ranked by Chambers as leaders in their field, a distinction which no other local firm enjoys. We also benefit from more specialist sub-teams than our competitors, including licensing, planning, construction and property litigation. Thanks to the experience and diverse range of skills within the team we are able to handle large and complex transactions efficiently and speedily.
Our main specialities are:
- High Level Investment Transactions – the team has been involved in most major transactions within NI in recent years, whether acting for vendor, purchaser or funder
- Site Assembly & Development Work – we offer a full service from site assembly onwards, drawing on the expertise of our planning and environmental and construction teams to provide a “one stop shop” service
- Retail Sector – Carson McDowell’s experience in this sector is unrivalled, acting for the landlords of many shopping centres and retail parks and an ever-growing stable of retail tenants
- Energy Sector - we have some of the most experienced property lawyers involved in the sector, enabling us to service some of the most active energy clients working in the province across AD, biomass, solar, wind and emerging technologies
- Leisure/Food and Drink and Transport sectors – we act for a wide range of key players in these sectors
Carson McDowell was the Legal 500 Law Firm of the Year in 2014 and 2017.
Chambers Review
Carson McDowell represents a number of blue-chip clients in the full range of property transactions. The team possesses expertise in relation to acquisitions and sales, as well as site assembly and licensing matters, regularly offering expert advice to clients in the energy, transport, retail and leisure sectors. The firm acts for vendors, purchasers and funders on real estate transactions.
Work Highlights
- Carson McDowell assisted McAleer & Ryshe with the negotiation of the master development agreement for the Weaver's Cross development of 1.3 million square feet of mixed used office, life sciences, residential, student housing, hotels and retail and leisure space.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Carson McDowell is efficient and has a great breadth and depth of knowledge. The team just gets it done and I couldn't ask for more."
"I appreciate the team's practicality and commercialism. They put clients first and are very attentive."
"The team have been very quick to identify and understand the salient issues."
"Carson McDowell has the ability to provide a varied range of specialist skills to deal with complex matters."
"Its team of highly skilled solicitors demonstrates a deep understanding of the law and possesses the analytical acumen required for addressing sophisticated matters effectively."
"Carson McDowell is efficient and has a great breadth and depth of knowledge. The team just gets it done and I couldn't ask for more."
"I appreciate the team's practicality and commercialism. They put clients first and are very attentive."
"The team have been very quick to identify and understand the salient issues."
"Carson McDowell has the ability to provide a varied range of specialist skills to deal with complex matters."
"Its team of highly skilled solicitors demonstrates a deep understanding of the law and possesses the analytical acumen required for addressing sophisticated matters effectively."
Notable Practitioners
Dawson McConkey heads the firm's real estate department and has a broad commercial practice with a particular focus on investment transactions. He also has specialist expertise in the energy sector and related property matters.
"Dawson knows the market really well, is practical and gives commercial advice."
"Dawson McConkey is a very efficient man. He has a good knowledge and is very well respected. He is outstanding."
"He has excellent commercial awareness of what is important and what isn't and how to get the deal done."
Emma Cooper regularly acts for investors and developers on significant acquisitions and site assembly matters. Her clients span both the public and private sectors.
"Emma Cooper has an excellent knowledge of English and Northern Irish law and has dealt with every query very well."
"Emma's work, dedication and attention to detail and client’s commercial needs are second to none. She is personable, has a huge insight and understanding of the market and she is highly knowledgeable."
"Emma is always ahead of the game."
Mary-Kim Doherty has a noteworthy real estate practice and is adept at handling complex acquisitions and disposals. Her client base consists of developers, retailers, landlords and tenants.
"Mary-Kim has a really positive attitude, an excellent legal knowledge and understanding of property law, very good commercial nous and an understanding of deal structures."
"We have worked with Mary-Kim for many years and she has always been able to advise on any of the areas we have discussed"
"Mary-Kim has been excellent at handling all aspects of real estate development and often highly complex matters."
Richard Dickson is noted for his ability to advise clients on developments in the retail sector, as well as advising on both land acquisitions and disposals.
"Richard Dickson has consistently demonstrated a level of expertise and dedication. His depth of legal knowledge has been instrumental in navigating complex legal matters with precision and efficiency."
"It is a pleasure working with Richard."
Ranked Lawyers at
Carson McDowell
Northern Ireland
Members
Provided by Carson McDowell
Cathy Colton
Head of Department
Mary-Kim Doherty