UK firm Keystone Law has expanded into Belfast through a merger with McMahon McKay, a corporate and commercial firm in Belfast.

The new entity, Keystone Law (NI) Limited, will operate from its current office address in Adelaide Street where founding partners John McMahon and Danny McKay will continue to own and control the firm, working alongside the existing professional and support staff.

It will be supported by the firm’s London office which will provide finance banking, marketing, IT and general administrative assistance.

It will operate the same model as other Keystone offices and have access to all the firm’s resources, including 230 senior lawyers.

Mr McMahon, the NI firm’s managing director, said: “McMahon McKay has totally exceeded our expectations in 2016 which has highlighted just how much more we can achieve by being part of Keystone.

“This merger will enable us to respond more readily to the increasing client demand and simultaneously grow the business. The legal market in Northern Ireland is ready for Keystone and the timing is perfect.”

James Knight, managing partner of Keystone, added: “We have been looking to establish operations in Ireland for over two years now, but it has not been easy to find the perfect firm to partner with.

“The dynamic performance and impressive growth displayed by McMahon McKay caught our attention last year and our discussions have proceeded reassuringly quickly to where they are today.

“John and Danny are great lawyers but they also have real entrepreneurial flair and share our ambitions too which is just as important. I believe we can achieve a great deal in Ireland as a result of this merger.”