The new offices were officially opened last night at an event attended by senior figures from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Adrienne Brock, who was recently appointed managing partner of the firm and heads up its employment law unit, is leading the expansion.

Ms Brock said: “We are delighted to welcome our clients to our new bespoke offices here in the Linen Quarter. As a local independent commercial law firm, we are well resourced and structured to provide our clients with a full range of commercial and private client services.

“Having emerged from the recession following the credit crunch, firms are dealing with the challenges presented by the changing nature of the market, including increasing consolidation, Brexit and advances in technology. The threats presented by financial crime and cyber-security risks mean that law firms are operating under an increasing professional and external regulatory regime which has become necessary for the protection of the legal profession and our clients.

“These challenges provide opportunities for us to keep developing and improving our services. Elliott Duffy Garrett will continue to maintain the highest standards of ethics, quality control, risk management and client care and we aim to keep developing and improving the services which we provide to our existing clients and to continue to attract new clients.”

Ann McGregor of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, who officially opened the new offices, said: “In today’s market, businesses need lawyers not only to resolve legal issues but also to support their business development efforts. They must stay current and, along with the standard deep level of legal knowledge, have additional training and tools in the areas of business, technology, and project management.

“I congratulate EDG on this phase of their expansion which will deliver the services in ways that will meet with changing client expectations.”

Welcoming the expansion, Alderman Jim Rodgers, chair of Belfast City Council’s strategic policy and resources committee, added: “We’ve made a commitment in The Belfast Agenda to grow the city’s economy by attracting investment, fostering business growth and making it easy to do business here.

“We’re delighted that Elliott Duffy Garrett has chosen to expand into new offices in the Linen Quarter, which the council is promoting as a revived Central Business District in line with our City Centre Regeneration Plan.

“Elliott Duffy Garrett is now in the heart of a very exciting developing business hub, which is set to be further enhanced through our plans to preserve the historic architecture and improve the streetscape with new public spaces and urban design. I wish them every continued success.”