I studied Business and Law in University College Dublin and graduated in 2021. I successfully applied for the William Fry Summer Internship Program (SIP) in my second year of college. Unfortunately, due to the COVID pandemic, the SIP could not be run as usual. However, on very short notice the Firm adapted the SIP and ran a virtual programme over two days instead and still managed to provide us with an insight into the various departments and the Firm in general.
I was delighted to accept the offer of a training contract at the end of the SIP and began my contract in early 2023. My pre-seat for the period prior to attending Blackhall Place was with the Employment & Benefits Department. My experience in the Department was very positive. As a trainee, I did not expect to be involved at a high level but during my pre-seat I was consistently asked to contribute to valuable client work and gained great exposure to some of the Firm’s high-profile clients.
I am currently working in the Corporate Department for my second of four seats and it is clear that this attitude to Trainee involvement is Firm-wide rather than Department specific which shows a serious commitment to trainee development. The type of work I am doing in the Corporate Department is transaction-based, and it is a really fast-paced and exciting environment.
A very positive part of my experience in William Fry to this point has been with those I have worked with. Although this is often said in other firms, my experience so far is that people are genuinely approachable and willing to help – while showing great patience!
Outside of the office, the Firm invests in ensuring the trainee social experience is a positive one as well. There is a very active Trainee Social Committee who organise regular social events and a weekend away, as well as a general Firm social committee who organise the Annual Summer BBQ and Christmas Party. There is also an opportunity to go on an annual trip to Richmond in London to take part in a (very optional) tag and sevens rugby tournament which is open to all trainees.
Although the work has sometimes been challenging, it has also been rewarding and this factor together with the people and the mix of social events mean my traineeship experience in William Fry has so far been very positive.