C & J Black traces its origins back to Sir Samuel Black who commenced practice in Belfast in the 1850s. Sir Samuel later became Town Clerk of Belfast City Council and played a major part in the planning and commissioning of the current City Hall in Donegall Square.

In 1881 his practice was taken over by his sons, Charles and James. From the outset the firm had a strong commercial and private law practice which has been sustained and developed by subsequent partners.