- What is the milkround?
The "Milkround" is the term given to presentations and interviews held on or off campus by organisations seeking to recruit graduates.
- Is there someone I can discuss opportunities with before I accept a Traineeship?
You can discuss the prospect of a Traineeship with Michael Barr, Partner in charge of our Trainee Programme and Petrea Cheevers, Trainee Recruitment Manager. You can also speak to our Brand Ambassadors who are available on- site on university campuses.
- How do I apply for a Traineeship?
You can apply on line. You will need to register and complete a short psychometric test. You will then be invited to complete our application form on-line.
- Who can apply?
All final year students, post graduates and those who have successfully obtained a third level degree qualification.
- Must I have studied law?
No, not necessarily, we accept degrees from all disciplines.
- Do you have any preference as to where I attained my degree?
No.
- Do you have a preference as to which modules I studied during my law degree?
No.
- Would an LLM help my application?
Yes, in that all post-graduate study is viewed positively by A&L Goodbody, particularly in a relevant discipline. However, an LLM is not a requirement of our application process.
- Would an internship help my application?
Yes, an internship gives you the opportunity to experience life at A&L Goodbody. Interns work closely with Partners, Fee Earners and Trainee Solicitors alike. You get a taste of the Firm’s culture, clients and social life and an opportunity to network with your peers and other members of the legal profession. However, just as importantly, it also allows you to demonstrate to us how you might perform as a Trainee Solicitor and gives us the opportunity to get to know you a little better, socially and in the working environment.
- How many Trainee Solicitors do you recruit annually?
The number varies from year to year, but normally we recruit between 25 – 35 Trainee Solicitors per year. It is important for us to support the Firm’s resource strategy by taking in top calibre Trainee Solicitors who we hope will stay with the Firm in the long term. We are focused on ensuring all Trainee Solicitors have a positive experience with A&L Goodbody whereby each Trainee Solicitor has all the support and training they need during their Traineeship. Therefore, we monitor our intake numbers to ensure we can deliver a quality Traineeship to those who have been offered a position with the Firm.
- What intake dates are you currently recruiting for?
We are currently recruiting for 2010 and 2011.
- Do Trainee Solicitors get a choice of rotations / seats?
Trainees are not normally given a choice of seats, however, we do try to accommodate any preferences. Law Society requirements dictate the compulsory seats which are in Corporate, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Commercial Property and Private Client.
- Which practice areas do Trainee Solicitors work in?
Trainees will work in some of our main departments, namely: Corporate, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Banking & Financial Services, Commercial Property and Private Client.
- What is your retention rate for keeping Trainee Solicitors on after qualification?
We have an excellent retention rate, it is circa 98%.
- Once I’ve accepted an offer when do I start my Traineeship?
Our official start date is in April of each year but we can accommodate a start date in July for students who have to sit FE1 exams in April.
- I want to travel for a year before I start my Traineeship, can I do this?
We are very happy to accommodate requests to defer commencement of Traineeships if you would like to travel or pursue further studies before commencing your Traineeship.
- Will my Law Society fees be paid?
Yes, your Law Society fees will be paid in full.
- How is the training contract structured?
See our Trainee Contract Timeline on our Training & Development page.
- What does my Traineeship involve?
As a Trainee you will have the opportunity to experience a range of practice areas as you progress throughout your two-year training contract. The breadth of practice areas makes A&L Goodbody an endlessly stimulating and challenging place to work.
- What kind of ‘on the job’ training will I receive?
Our commitment to training and development helps us to both attract and retain the brightest people. Working as a Trainee your professional development here at A&L Goodbody is a priority. As you will share an office with a Partner or a Senior Lawyer, this will give you valuable on the job legal training.
- Do you offer training apart from on the job training?
Yes. The Firm has an award winning Training and Development department and Knowledge Management Centre. Please see our Training and Development section for further information.
- Will I have the opportunity to do further training if I need to?
Yes, the Firm provides financial support and bursaries for further external training.
- Will I be entitled to study leave?
Yes. Study leave is provided to employees who have completed one year of service with the Firm and are undertaking a course of study which has been approved by that employee’s Partner/Manager as being appropriate and relevant to their job. One week of study leave plus leave for exam days is permitted per annum.
- Is there a good social life at A&L Goodbody?
Life as a Trainee in A&L Goodbody will open up many new horizons for you. See our Social Life page.
- How is the Firm structured?
The Firm has 67 Partners and is managed by the Management Committee which is made up of the Managing Partner, the CEO and the Heads of our main Departments.
- What kind of work does A&L Goodbody do?
A&L Goodbody offers a service portfolio combining corporate law expertise with a specialist focus on the key legal disciplines and business sectors, led by the leading experts, on an all-island basis. A full range of business legal services is provided through our corporate, banking and financial services, corporate tax, litigation & dispute resolution, property, pensions and private client departments. Furthermore, the Firm also offers the most extensive range of specialist services available in Ireland through over 30 Specialist Practice Groups. The emphasis and operation of these practice groups continually evolve and develop in anticipation of external market needs.
- Who are A&L Goodbody’s clients?
Our clients are leading Irish and international organisations including publicly listed corporations, semi-state bodies and private companies. They cover a wide range of industry sectors including healthcare, IT, media, energy, banking and finance, food and drink and environmental.