Researching training programmes at law firms in Ireland

Dear Oracle

I want to qualify as a solicitor in Ireland, which law firms should I target?

The Oracle replies

Reading time: six minutes

Qualifying as a solicitor in Ireland is a great choice. Finding the right law firm to accompany your decision requires thorough research and a basic understanding of what it is you want from your future legal career.

While this isn’t a list of all the possible firms you could consider, here are three notable law firms with offices in Ireland to help you kickstart your research. Below, we’ve highlighted the various training programme opportunities available at each, as well as office locations and specialist practice areas. This isn’t an exhaustive list and, as ever, you should conduct your own research based on your personal preferences, interests and values.

Arthur Cox

Arthur Cox LLP is one of Ireland's leading law firms with more than 100 years of legal excellence. The firm employs 600 legal staff and nearly 900 total employees, and serves an international client base, including multinational organisations, banks, financial institutions, as well as established global leaders to government agencies and more.

Office locations

As well as its Dublin office, the firm also has a presence in Belfast, London, New York and San Francisco.

Practice areas

The firm covers all aspects of corporate and business law, offering services in M&A, data protection, environment and planning, intellectual property, technology and innovation, and lots more.

Ireland training programme opportunities

Arthur Cox offers a distinctive trainee programme, with several features that set it apart from other Irish law firms:

• Five-rotation system: Unlike most law firms that offer four rotations, Arthur Cox trainees complete five rotations in each of the firm’s main practice areas: corporate, finance, litigation, property and a chosen specialisation area of the trainee’s choice.
   
• International and pro bono rotations: Trainees are also offered the chance to complete a rotation in Arthur Cox’s London office, providing valuable cross-border experience, or in the firm’s pro bono practice. This would involve working with a range of clients from refugees to social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations.

Applications for the next cohort will open in September. Applicants don’t need to have completed the Final Examination – First Part (FE-1) exams to apply to the programme. Plus, the firm will cover the cost of the Professional Practice Course (PPC) and reimburse successful applicants for all eight FE-1 exams.

Find out more about Arthur Cox and the firm’s training opportunities via its website.

Matheson

Matheson, another leading law firm in Ireland, was established in 1825 in Dublin and has recently celebrated 200 years of history. The firm has six offices, with more than 930 people working across them, including 124 partners and tax principals. With expertise across more than 30 practice groups, Matheson’s clients include half of the world's 50 largest banks, seven of the world's 10 largest asset managers, seven of the top 10 global technology brands, and majority of the Fortune 100 companies.

Office locations

Established in Dublin, Matheson also has offices in Cork, London, New York, Palo Alto and San Francisco.

Practice areas

Matheson's lawyers have expertise across more than 30 practice areas, including finance and capital markets, corporate, international business, M&A, technology and innovation, and lots more.

Ireland training programme opportunities

Matheson’s two-year training programme is made up of four six-month rotations within various departments and practice areas, with trainees directly involved in selecting three out of the four rotations. There are fantastic opportunities to complete rotations in the firm’s London, New York or Cork offices. The firm also offers payment, in full, for the FE-1 exams and PPC.

The firm currently recruits around 40 to 45 training a year and boasts recent retention rates of around 90%.  

Matheson has various other notable programmes, including a first-step programme and career first programme. The career first programme is open to first and second-year undergraduate students on the Higher Education Access Route and Disability Access Route to Education schemes. It’s the firm’s first fully social mobility-focused initiative and consists of a six-month programme to support eligible individuals to succeed in their academic studies, as well as mentorship from a lawyer at the firm.

Find out more about Matheson and the firm’s training opportunities via its website.

McCann Fitzgerald LLP

Another of Ireland’s stand-out law firms is McCann FitzGerald LLP, with expertise that sees it advising clients in Ireland and globally. The firm, owned by 95 partners and with roots that go as far back as the 1820s, “is at the forefront of legal practice in Ireland”. It employs more than 600 people, including 350 lawyers, and prides itself on recruiting and retaining top legal talent.

Office Locations

McCann FitzGerald has offices in Dublin (its main office), London, New York and Brussels.

Practice Areas

This corporate law firm has four main practice groups: corporate; finance; litigation and dispute resolution; and real estate/construction. It works on a cross-departmental basis to tailor solutions to its clients within a range of sectors, such as aviation finance, start-ups and the public sector.

Ireland training programme opportunities

McCann FitzGerald’s 33-month long solicitor traineeship programme will see trainees complete four seat rotations within the firm’s core practice groups, with each rotation lasting around six months. A standout feature of the programme is that each trainee shares an office with a partner, providing invaluable insights and guidance as they work with the partner on a one-to-one basis. As part of the programme, trainees also have the opportunity to spend part of their time abroad or on secondment with McCann FitzGerald’s top domestic and international clients.

All Law Society fees are covered by the firm for those on the programme. Applications for the graduate traineeship open in September each year. However, if you’re not yet ready to make training programme applications, there are a range of other opportunities available to gain insights into the world of McCann FitzGerald, including its summer internship and law first programme.

Find out more about McCann FitzGerald and the firm’s training opportunities via its website.

Other law firms in Ireland

While Arthur Cox, Matheson and McCann FitzGerald are clearly not the only law firms in Ireland, they’re a good starting point for your research. Other firms to add to your research list could include:

• A&L Goodbody LLP;
• Beauchamps LLP;
• Dillon Eustace;
• Maples Group;
• Mason Hayes & Curran LLP;
• William Fry; and
• many more.

What’s next? Identify your priorities, values, and the type of work and clients you want to be involved with to help you tailor your search. It’s ok if you don’t have a solid idea to start with. As you conduct research into the various law firms and what they offer in terms of practice areas, locations and size, the picture of what your ideal firm looks like will start to become clearer.

Read LawCareers.Net’s guide to researching law firms and consider attending open days/evenings, applying to some one-day programmes for insights and simply chatting to law firms at law fairs near you.

Good luck!