Waterford Solicitors firm Nolan Farrell & Goff celebrates 50 years in business at their premises in Newtown Lodge in Waterford City.
One of the largest provincial solicitors’ practices in Ireland, the firm was formally established in 1975, though its origins go back as far as 1914. George A Nolan & Co, which was founded in 1914, and R J Farrell (later Farrell & Farrell), which was founded in 1920, merged in 1975 and together with Mr Jim Mulhern the new firm became Nolan Farrell and Goff and moved to their current offices in Newtown.
Iain Farrell later spoke about how the firm was created. Referring to John P. C. Goff, he knew from the start he wanted to team up with him, saying, “There was more than a day’s work in him. On the question of merging our two offices, he (Goff) was affable as long as I could win over George Nolan. I wanted it to be Farrell Nolan & Goff, as there were two Farrells, George wanted it to be Nolan Farrell and Goff because he was older. So he offered to toss for it, and I lost!”
The firm has enjoyed a number family links over the years, within the partnership and staff, but just as importantly there have been many intergenerational clients building strong relationships and some great friendships along the way. Managing partner Graham Farrell said, “The fact the firm has become and remains so strong is evidence of the farsightedness and ambition of the founding partners. The fact it has survived and grown through the highs and lows of the past five decades is down to the tremendous work ethic of the many staff members over the years and of course the support of our loyal clients.”
Donal O Connell is a remaining member of the original 1975 “dream team”. He recalls being a young solicitor when the amalgamation took place, and particularly Jim Mulhern’s calm approach in “maintaining order in those heady early days”. Donal was subsequently admitted to the partnership in 1979 and obviously learned something from Jim as he steered a steady ship through various ups and downs for nineteen years in his role as Managing Partner.
The firm has grown over the years and currently has a large team including eight partners, five solicitors, five legal executives, an office manager and a large team of skilled and experienced administrative staff. On January 1st 2021, Nolan Farrell & Goff became Nolan Farrell & Goff LLP.
50 years of experience and expertise developed within the firm ensures that clients can avail of an exceptionally high standard of service from its multidisciplinary team. The partners and staff of Nolan Farrell & Goff enjoy working across the full spectrum of legal issues including on some very high profile matters in the Courts. The breadth of the firm’s work traverses significant commercial transactions while also enjoying private client work, looking after small businesses, individuals and families as they embark on milestones in their lives. It can sometimes be challenging but is always worthwhile and often very positive.
For over a century Nolan Farrell & Goff has developed a reputation as trusted solicitors, delivering expert legal services in Waterford, the South East and across Ireland. As the firm celebrates its 50th anniversary it looks back on all the changes that have occurred over the years and embraces the continued progress and advancement of the profession and the firm itself and looks forward to the years ahead.
