Invest NI led a delegation of firms including A&L Goodbody, Tughans, Carson McDowell and Cleaver Fulton Rankin to the leading international law conference, exhibition and networking event.

First Minister Arlene Foster was also in attendance.

John Guerin, president of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, said: “The IBA Conference in Washington has proven to be invaluable in providing an opportunity for solicitor firms from Northern Ireland to demonstrate the range of legal and support services which they can offer to new and potential clients from around the world.

“The Society welcomes the increase in the number of local solicitor firms who have taken the opportunity to attend and promote their services at the IBA conference. We wish to thank the First Minister, Arlene Foster and Invest NI for their continuing support of the legal profession in Northern Ireland.

“The Society is delighted to confirm that as a result of ongoing engagement the IBA will be hosting their Bar Leaders and Mid-Year Conference in Belfast in May 2017. This high profile event will present great opportunities for our law firms.”

David Mulholland, chief executive of the Bar of Northern Ireland, said: “The Bar of Northern Ireland was delighted to attend the International Bar Association Conference in Washington last week.

“Northern Ireland is already established on the global legal landscape given our capacity to supply high quality services in a manner attractive to international clients. There are therefore tremendous opportunities for our members to expand their practices outside of Northern Ireland. Our reception at last week’s conference confirmed this.

“With the support of the First Minister Arlene Foster MLA and Invest Northern Ireland, who have demonstrated a keen commitment to growing the legal sector, we are exploring new market opportunities and the services we can provide to international businesses who operate within the UK and Ireland.”