Source: The Newry Reporter Newspaper
McShanes Solicitors, a prominent law firm in Northern Ireland, recently commemorated a significant milestone as it celebrated its 50th anniversary. The local legal powerhouse, with offices in Newry and Kilkeel, marked this momentous occasion with a grand dinner at the Canal Court Hotel, attended by both current and former staff members.
Rory McShane, the Founder and Partner at McShanes Solicitors, expressed his delight in achieving this impressive milestone and being firmly established in Armagh, Newry, Mourne, and Down. He attributed their success to the tremendous support received from the local community throughout the years.
Looking back to 1973 when Rory first opened the doors of his law firm, he reminisced about how things were different back then. The world was captivated by the song ‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree’ by Tony Orlando and Dawn, Edward Heath was the UK Prime Minister, a pint of milk cost just 6p, and a gallon of petrol was priced at 39p. The average house price in the UK was a mere £9,900.
In July 1973, Rory’s law firm officially opened its doors at 76 Hill Street, Newry. Since then, the firm has grown and flourished, moving to its current headquarters at 34 Hill Street in Newry, while also establishing an office in Kilkeel.
Rory attributes their success to the firm’s commitment to building strong relationships with their clients, offering them 100% attention and personalised service. This approach has led to repeat business from clients and their families, making McShanes Solicitors a generational firm.
Over the past five decades, McShanes Solicitors has expanded its expertise to cover various legal practice areas, including commercial and domestic property, criminal defence, family law, personal injury litigation, probate, and wills. Their ability to practice in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland has been advantageous to clients requiring representation in both jurisdictions.
The firm has also adeptly adapted to game-changing technological developments over the years. From typewriters to computers, McShanes has kept pace with modernisation and invested heavily in case management systems and cybersecurity to protect their clients’ data.
Reflecting on their notable cases, Rory recalled representing Newry and Mourne Council in the acquisition of Newry Canal, acting in significant libel cases, and achieving substantial compensation awards for clients injured in road traffic and workplace accidents.
Throughout their journey, McShanes Solicitors has been a pillar of support for local charities such as Newry Gateway Club and Head Injury Support, as well as sports clubs like Warrenpoint and Kilkeel Golf Clubs, and Mayobridge GFC and Crossmaglen GFC.
Rory emphasises that the firm’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and hard work of their staff. The long-serving office manageress, Mrs. Maureen Fegan, has been with the firm for an incredible 48 years, while others have also remained devoted to the firm for 25 years or more.
Looking ahead, Rory’s daughter, Aoife McShane, now leads the team as the Managing Partner, ensuring that McShanes Solicitors will continue to excel in the future. Aoife expressed the importance of adapting to changing times, utilising social media for client communication, and investing in technology to maintain a leading position in the legal field.
With Millicent Tate heading the Property and Probate departments, and Eimear Kane and Aoife handling Criminal, Family Law, and Litigation cases, McShanes Solicitors is poised to face future challenges with confidence and excellence.
The 50th-anniversary celebrations marked a moment of pride and reflection for the firm, highlighting their significant contributions to the community and the legal profession. As they continue to grow and evolve, McShanes Solicitors is set to maintain its reputation as one of the leading law firms in Northern Ireland.
