Our Story
About Fisher & Fisher
Founded in Newry in 1898, Fisher & Fisher is one of the longest-established legal practices in Northern Ireland. We have served families and businesses across County Down and Belfast for more than 125 years.
Fisher & Fisher was established in 1898 by Alexander Fisher along with his brother John, and the firm quickly became the largest solicitor's practice in Newry.
Alexander's two daughters, Margaret and Dorothy, were amongst the first female solicitors in Northern Ireland. Margaret Reside (nee Fisher) graduated from Queen's University of Belfast at the age of 20 and joined the family firm qualifying as a solicitor in 1927. Her sister Dorothy qualified two years later.
Over the course of the next hundred years the firm continued to grow in size and reputation but still maintaining its local heritage in County Down.
By the onset of the Second World War, Margaret and Dorothy had taken over the running of the family firm from their father Alex, and he passed away in 1948.
In 2016 the firm was acquired by local solicitors Ronan McGuigan and Jacqueline Malone, who have continued to build on the foundations established by the Fisher family more than 125 years ago.
The firm now operates from six offices across County Down, retaining its headquarters in Newry, with further offices in Kilkeel, Newcastle, Rathfriland, and Donaghadee, as well as a presence in Belfast.
Fisher & Fisher continues to deliver professional legal advice to individuals, families, and businesses across Northern Ireland.
Fisher & Fisher at a Glance
Our History
Over a Century of Service
From a single office in Newry to a six-office practice spanning County Down and Belfast — a firm built on trust, one generation at a time.
1898
Fisher & Fisher is founded in Newry, establishing one of the first dedicated legal practices in County Down. From the outset, the firm was committed to serving the local community with expert, accessible legal advice.
Early 1900s
The firm grows its reputation across the Newry area, advising families and landowners on property, estate, and personal legal matters throughout the turbulent early decades of the twentieth century.
Mid-Century
Fisher & Fisher expands its practice areas to meet the evolving needs of clients. Civil litigation, estate planning, and corporate advisory services are added alongside the firm's core family and property work.
1980s – 1990s
A period of significant growth sees the firm open further offices across County Down, bringing expert legal services to communities in Rathfriland, Newcastle, Kilkeel, and Donaghadee.
2000s
The firm welcomes Jacqueline Malone as Director, strengthening its family law practice. Jacqueline's membership of the Children's Order Panel, Children's Court Guardian Panel, and Hague Convention Panel brings specialist expertise in complex children's matters.
Present Day
With six offices, 40 legal professionals, and over 125 years of history, Fisher & Fisher continues to serve families and businesses across Northern Ireland. The firm combines deep local roots with the expertise to handle the most complex legal challenges.
Culture & Values
Culture at Fisher & Fisher
Fisher & Fisher is built around people. That means our clients, our colleagues, and the wider communities we have served for more than a century. It is not a value we adopted recently. It is how this firm has operated since 1898.
Having celebrated more than 125 years of legal practice in Northern Ireland, we have a clear sense of what the firm should look like going forward. Our aim is to be the firm that families, individuals, and businesses across Northern Ireland turn to first. We also aim to be a firm where good lawyers want to build their careers and where every member of the team is supported to develop.
Our values were developed by the team and shape how we work every day. They are: Legal, Authentic, and Welcoming.
Legal
Sound legal advice is the foundation of everything we do. We hold ourselves to high professional standards and take personal responsibility for the quality of our work.
The firm is committed to upholding the rule of law, respect and tolerance, and individual liberty in all that we do.
Authentic
We operate with honesty and integrity. We tell clients what they need to hear, not simply what they want to hear. Fairness and equality are not aspirations here.
They govern how we work every day, and we hold ourselves accountable to the communities we serve.
Welcoming
This firm has a loyal, long-serving team, and that does not happen by accident. Every client who contacts us should feel that.
We take pride in being approachable. Professional legal advice should not be difficult to access.
Leadership
Our Directors
Fisher & Fisher is led by two Directors with extensive experience across the firm's key practice areas.
Ronan McGuigan
Director
Ronan is a Director of Fisher & Fisher, with experience spanning commercial and corporate law, property, debt litigation, and high-value personal injury. Based primarily at our Kilkeel office, he acts for businesses and individuals across County Down on matters ranging from company acquisitions to major personal injury claims.
He is direct and commercially minded, with a consistent focus on achieving practical outcomes for his clients.
Areas of Practice
- Commercial & Corporate
- Property & Conveyancing
- Debt Litigation
- High-Value Personal Injury
Jacqueline Malone
Director
Jacqueline is a Director of Fisher & Fisher and one of Northern Ireland's most experienced family law solicitors. Admitted to the roll in 2003 and formerly based in London, she specialises in complex family and children's matters.
She is a member of the Children's Order Panel, the Children's Court Guardian Panel, and the Hague Convention Panel. These accreditations are held by very few solicitors in Northern Ireland and reflect a level of expertise in children's proceedings that clients can have confidence in.
Areas of Practice
- Family & Children Law
- Children's Order Panel
- Children's Court Guardian Panel
- Hague Convention Panel
Trusted by families and businesses across Northern Ireland for generations. Solicitors at the heart of the community since 1898.Fisher & Fisher, Newry — Est. 1898
Memberships & Accreditations
Get in Touch
Ready to Speak
to a Solicitor?
Whichever office is closest to you, we are here to assist. Call, email, or complete the enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch promptly.
Send an Enquiry
We aim to respond within one working day.