Fiona Cassidy  LL.B., (Hons.), LL.M.

Fiona Cassidy is a Senior Partner in the Firm.  Fiona graduated from Queen’s University Belfast in 1980 and obtained her Certificate in Professional Legal Studies in 1981.   She then studied for a Masters (LL.M) in Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Law at Queen’s University which she completed in 1990. 

Together with Beverley Jones, Fiona set up the Practice of Jones and Cassidy Solicitors in 1993.   Jones and Cassidy Solicitors merged with Alana Jones LL.B, LL.M Solicitors in July 2008 to form Jones Cassidy Jones Solicitors. 

Fiona has been extensively involved in advisory work and litigation both in private practice and in the Fair Employment Commission.  She has been particularly involved in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act having contributed towards the drafting of the first Practical Guidance on How to Conduct an Equality Impact Assessment.  Fiona has been involved in conducting training and advisory work in relation to screening and Equality Impact Assessments. 

Fiona has also been involved in advisory work about fair employment policy matters in both the UK and the United States.   She contributed to the Equality Commission’s publication on Harassment at Work which was published in May 2006.

As well as advising on employment law matters, Fiona also advises on public law, administrative law and charities law.

Fiona has been described in the Chambers UK legal directory as a “leader in the field” of employment law. 


Alana Jones LL.B., (Hons.), LL.M.

Alana Jones is a Senior Partner in the Firm.  Alana graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast and then studied for a Masters (LL.M) in Human Rights and Discrimination Law which she completed in 1992.  Alana was a Lecturer in Jurisprudence at Queen’s University Belfast prior to obtaining her Certificate of Professional Legal Studies in 1994.  Alana trained with a leading Belfast firm of Solicitors and worked there for seven years before setting up her own practice in 1999, Alana Jones LL.B. LL.M Solicitors.  This firm then merged with Jones and Cassidy in July 2008 to form Jones Cassidy Jones Solicitors. 

Alana is a committee member of the Employment Lawyers’ Group (N.I.).  She speaks regularly at employment law conferences on all aspects of employment law and provides equality training to client companies.  Alana currently provides advice and representation to major employers within the industrial, commercial, education, transport, retail, insurance, charity and finance sectors. She also undertakes advocacy before Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals and advises extensively on employment, discrimination and industrial relations law.

Alana has been described in the Chambers UK legal directory as a “leader in the field” of employment law. 


Beverley Jones  LL.B., (Hons.), LL.M.

Beverley Jones is a Senior Partner in the Firm.  Beverley graduated from Birmingham University with an LL.B and obtained a Masters (LL.M) in Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Law at Queen’s University which she completed in 1990. 

Before relocating to Belfast, Beverley worked in a London firm, Bindman and Partners where she developed a specialism in employment and equality law.  Bindman and Partners were legal advisors to the Commission for Racial Equality. 

On moving to Belfast, Beverley worked as Chief Enforcement Officer at the Equal Opportunities Commission for Northern Ireland where she specialized in sex discrimination law and equal pay.    Together with Fiona Cassidy, Beverley set up the practice of Jones and Cassidy Solicitors in 1993.  Jones and Cassidy Solicitors then merged with Alana Jones LL.B, LL.M Solicitors in July 2008 to form Jones Cassidy Jones Solicitors. 

In 1992 Beverly worked as an expert to the European Commission and this work led to a Working Document on the Memorandum for Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value being passed in June 1994.  She also drafted a Code of Practice for the European Commission and this was published in June 1997 to be used throughout the European Union.  Beverley advises extensively in the area of equal pay both in the public and private sectors.  She has experience of advising on re-organization situations, in particular RPA (Review of Public Administration), involving TUPE as well as Cabinet Office Guidance on Staff Transfers.   

Beverley is a regular speaker at seminars and conferences and has been described in the Chambers UK legal directory as a “leader in the field” of employment law. 


Alison Collins LL.B., (Hons.) M.B.A.

Alison Collins is a Partner in the firm.  Alison graduated from Queen’s University with an  LL.B. Honours degree in 1997.  Thereafter, Alison studied for an MBA before obtaining her Certificate of Professional Legal Studies in 2002.

Alison also trained with a leading Belfast firm of Solicitors before relocating to Edinburgh where she worked as an employment law Solicitor in a commercial firm representing employers and employees at Tribunals in both Scotland and England from 2003 to 2005.  Alison is also qualified to practice in law in Scotland.  

Alison joined Alana Jones Solicitors in November 2005 and became a partner in 2007. Alison is now part of Jones Cassidy Jones Solicitors and she advises both employers and employees on all aspects of employment law.  Alison appears before local Industrial Tribunals and has also appeared before English and Scottish Employment Tribunals.  Alison is a member of the Employment Lawyers’ Group (N.I.) and has a keen interest in all areas of employment law.

Joanne White LL.B. (Hons)  

Joanne White is a Partner in the Firm.  Joanne graduated from Queen’s University in 1995 with an LL.B. Honours degree and qualified as a Solicitor in 1997 receiving her Certificate in Professional Legal Studies. 

Joanne joined Jones and Cassidy Solicitors in June 1998 and became a Partner in 2002.  She has specialized in employment and equality law since 1998 and has considerable experience in the conduct of cases at tribunals and courts in all areas of employment law including the areas of sex, race, disability, religious/political discrimination, working time, TUPE, contracts of employment and flexible working. 

Joanne regularly appears before Tribunals representing employers and employees and is a member of the Employment Lawyer’s Group (NI). Joanne also has extensive experience in auditing and drafting contracts of employment, policies and procedures for employers and providing equality and employment law training. 

Joanne is currently studying for a Masters in Human Rights (LL.M.) at Queen’s University Belfast.