My intern roles were a great way to spend the summer

In the summer, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to complete two different legal internships.

The experiences gave me a great insight into both the field of law and also the day-to-day experience of working in a law firm.

As internships and work experience are something that many college students now have to navigate, I wanted to share my experience from this summer.

I spent the month of June in Matheson LLP’s Cork offices at Penrose Dock. The office itself was really open and spacious, which really helped me settle into the routine of being in a law firm.

I worked as part of the Disputes and Investigations Group in Dublin, which was great practise for liaising online and collaborating remotely through Microsoft Teams.

My mentors in Dublin were extremely helpful and supportive throughout the process and everyone working in the Cork office also really engaged with the interns.

I was in Dublin at least once a week so I got exposure to both of Matheson’s offices in Ireland. It also meant I was able to meet and connect with my peers who were also in the internship.

In the Litigation Department, I worked on research notes, wrote memos, prepared presentations, and sat in on client meetings.

I also travelled to Dublin to give a final presentation to the litigation partners, and for my closing interview and the drafting assignment.

Along with the work tasks, I participated in a community beach clean-up with my fellow interns at Sandymount.

There was also an internship treasure hunt across Dublin, and a quiz hosted for the firm by PJ Kirby was my highlight.

Furthermore, I was honoured to have been selected to spend a week working in the firm’s London office.

Two interns were chosen from an internal competition to go to London and I was delighted to have won.

We had to record a short video to identify a way in which we could make a sustainable change in the firm that would have a positive impact on the environment or further our sustainability goals.

The week in London was an incredible experience and I really appreciated the chance to meet the trainees and solicitors working at Matheson’s office near St Paul’s. It also gave me an even richer insight into Matheson’s structure.

Overall, my internship with Matheson was insightful, challenging, interesting, and motivating. I have learned so much about different practice areas, the career of a solicitor, and about Matheson’s culture.

Over the course of July and August, I completed an internship with JW O’Donovan Solicitors on South Mall, Cork. It was great to get to spend time in more than one office and to truly explore the working world this summer.

The two-month internship there was an invaluable experience that gave me further insight into the workings of a busy law firm and helped me to develop a greater understanding of the legal profession in a practical setting. I gained exposure to a variety of areas at JWOD, such as Family Law, Corporate Services, Probate, and Commercial Real Estate.

During my time at JWOD, I also had the opportunity to attend an event organised by the Society of Young Solicitors (SYS).

The SYS ‘Confidence, Profile & Beating Imposter Syndrome’ event in Cork was a fantastic opportunity to explore overcoming self-doubt, building a profile, and believing in yourself in a high pressure environment.

All of the speakers - Sonia O’Sullivan, Aoife Raftery, Hilary O’Shea and Norma Sheehan - provided fascinating insights and perspectives from each of their different lines of work and varied career paths.

It was also great to meet and connect with so many other young solicitors.

I am extremely grateful to everyone at JW O’Donovan Solicitors for their guidance, support, and willingness to share their knowledge throughout my time in the firm.

These internships have given me a much clearer understanding of the responsibilities and opportunities within a legal career.

I look forward to carrying the knowledge and experience I have gained this summer into the next stage of my studies and professional development.