10 years… Wow. I cannot believe that we are now 10 years in operation. I suppose time flies when you’re having fun! (sort of)

The journey started back in October 2010 when Kathryn and I were both made redundant from the same firm. Kathryn was pregnant with our first child and we suddenly found ourselves with no jobs. We had a baby on the way and the bills were mounting up!

It was an extremely stressful time for us but the positivity and support of family and friends gave us the drive to take the plunge and follow our dreams at the height of a recession!

I will never forget my mum telling us that things happen for a reason and that this would be the best thing to ever happen to us. At that stage I didn’t see it but as time has lapsed this is 100% true (apart from the birth of our 2 children of course). Who knew we had a prophet in the family!

Kathryn and I spent endless hours talking things over and within a couple of weeks I was approved to practice as the owner of a solicitor’s firm by the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Our bank (the Bank of Ireland) approved our loan application and we were then able to buy a laptop, desk, 5 chairs, a printer/fax machine and a telephone. We engaged Gerry Davidson of Business Account Services, as our accountant, (who has helped us immensely throughout the years), and we asked our friends at ACDC Signs to sort all the office signage out for us.

We were now ready to rock.

On the 1st November 2010 we opened the doors of CK Rafferty Solicitors and the rest is history.

After a number of months we were able to take on an office assistant, my brother Michael, who was only meant to be temporary but ended up staying with us for 8 years. He moved on to pastures new a couple of years ago but we have to mark the contribution he made to the development of the business over those 8 years.

In 2015 we then took on a trainee solicitor, Terri Powell. She completed her training with us and thankfully we were able to employ her as a full- time solicitor. She has now been with us for over 5 years and we cannot thank her enough for the help and assistance she provides on a daily basis. We are extremely lucky to have her.

In November 2016 we took over Francis Curley Solicitors and moved to his old office at 2 Ogle Street, Armagh and in November 2019 we took over the firm of Armagh legend, Paddy Moriarty, at 51 North Street, Lurgan.

We now have 2 offices covered by the 3 solicitors along with our admin staff, Ciara, Debbie and Nicole. I again have to say that the girls in the office are absolutely fantastic and have helped Kathryn and I immensely especially during these difficult and uncertain times.

We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our family, friends, clients and other local businesses for the support provided over the last 10 years. This year has been extremely difficult for everyone but we can get through it.

Special mention, however, must go to both sets of parents- my parents Paddy and Diane and Kathryn’s parents Liam and Teresa. The unconditional support that they have provided us over the years is appreciated more than can be put into words.

Here’s to another 10 years.

Chris