Three of Ireland’s top construction lawyers have come together to create what they believe will become one of Ireland’s leading construction law firms.
Jamie Ritchie and Stefan Berry have joined ranks with Kenny Caldwell, who established Caldwell Solicitors in 2017, to create Caldwell Ritchie Berry – a specialist law practice with market-leading expertise in construction and procurement law across the UK and Ireland.
The firm will operate from Belfast with an office in Dublin and will service clients locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. In recent years, the partners have advised clients in Ireland, the USA, Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, the Middle East on matters ranging from project conception to implementation, delivery, and aftercare.
Director Kenny Caldwell said Caldwell Ritchie Berry would be a specialist law firm focused on construction and infrastructure with the capability to deliver across multiple jurisdictions.
He said the firm would continue to operate from its platform of career-spanning client relationships and repeat business, whilst also looking forward to building new relationships.
Mr. Caldwell said the firm’s current client portfolio is diverse and international, with clients ranging from developers and investment vehicles, locally and globally active Irish and UK companies, NASDAQ-listed companies and organisations within the public sector across GB, NI and RoI jurisdictions.
“Since our establishment, we have built what in many respects is an understated firm becoming one of Ireland’s go-to names in construction law, balancing local expertise with multi-jurisdictional reach. We have gone about our business quietly, humbly, and respectful of the discretion expected of us by our clients. I see the coming together of Caldwell Ritchie Berry as the natural next stage of our progress; a recognition of the talent that’s been alongside me, and a welcoming of new talent into the firm.”
“The firm’s core market advantage is its intricate and prime focus on the whole life cycle of construction projects, combined with the strength of having three dedicated partners finding fresh, practical and smarter ways to help clients deliver their wider goals. Our structure allows us to compete and engage with larger firms on major projects while offering clients greater accessibility, director-led advice and more competitive pricing.
“The in-depth experience of our three directors within this specialist practice area makes us pound for pound one of the top contract and procurement law specialists on the island.”
Director Jamie Ritchie, who formerly served as Partner and Head of Projects and Construction at LK Shields (and later a Partner with Byrne Wallace Shields) in Dublin, said that over the last five years in particular, the number of adjudications had grown in the Republic, with tighter margins cited as one major factor. This will be a key area of focus for the new firm.
Mr Ritchie said domestic construction companies were facing many contractual challenges with supply chain issues, skilled labour shortages, ongoing market adjustments and uncertainty around availability of full funding for projects. “Consequently, we are increasingly seeing local contractors and consultants working internationally. Irish contractors often prefer local lawyers to represent their interests when working abroad and this is an aspect of our offering where we can really excel for our clients. Essentially, wherever our clients go, we have the capability to follow.”
Director Stefan Berry, who joined Kenny Caldwell in 2019, said the expanded firm will actively target growth in both the Republic of Ireland and the UK, primarily driven by the directors’ existing networks. He added the company was also planning to grow its headcount, engaging those who aligned with the culture, values and philosophy of Caldwell Ritchie Berry.
