• Induction: April
  Preparation for trainee role: Intro to 4 pillars of professional development, firm values and culture, knowledge and library training, practice management systems, time recording, and life as a trainee.
• Year 1: April – September
  • Rotation 1
  • Skills training: time management, managing a meeting, effective business writing and communication
  • Trainee legal seminar series
  • Summer projects
• Professional Practice Course (PPC) and Advanced Electives: September – May
• Year 2: June – December
  • Rotation 2
  • Skills training – presentation skills, teamwork, and growth mindset
  • Trainee development day
  • Trainee legal seminar series
  • Summer projects
  • Professional coaching and mentoring
• Year 3: January – December
  • Rotation 3 & 4
  • Skills training – conflict handling, networking, and mindset mastery
  • Trainee legal seminar series
  • Professional coaching and mentoring
  • NQ (newly qualified) role preparation
• Qualification: January

Rotations

During the Traineeship programme, trainees rotate through four department. Each rotation includes structured mid-seat and end-of-seat reviews, ensuring you receive regular feedback and clear developmental goals. When you join the firm as a trainee you will complete a four-month rotation before going to Blackhall Place to complete the Professional Practice Course (PPC). When you return from Blackhall, you will complete three six-month rotations in the firm before qualifying.  The rotation structure provides you with hands-on experience, direct exposure to leading partners and an in-depth understanding of the different practice areas within the firm.

Coaching & Mentorship

Our dedicated Coaching Programme for trainees “STRIVE” provides one-to-one coaching sessions with a qualified coach focused on building confidence, self-awareness, and strategic thinking. Our mentorship programme connects you with senior colleagues who will offer personalised guidance, share valuable insights and support you throughout your journey at William Fry.

Advanced Electives

Our traineeship includes four advanced electives which are delivered in-house by William Fry Partners:

• Corporate Transactions
• Financial Services
• Dispute Resolution
• Commercial Real Estate

These electives are designed to help you explore the work of different departments, gain practical insights, and build a deeper understanding of how legal advice is shaped and delivered. You will engage with real-life scenarios and current legal developments, giving you a clearer sense of where your interests lie and how your skills can be applied in a commercial context.

What sets our electives apart is their relevance and immediacy. Delivered by partners who are actively advising clients and shaping legal outcomes, each session is rooted in the commercial realities and strategic decisions our teams face every day. You will work through live case studies, examine legal reasoning, and see how complex issues are resolved in practice.

Early Opportunities & Secondments

Trainees are provided with the opportunity to go on secondment to our Cork and London offices, or externally to clients — secondments offer the opportunity to gain valuable commercial and international experience early in their careers.

Innovation Projects

We also offer additional opportunities including summer innovation projects and the FryTY programme, giving our trainees the opportunity to collaborate and lead initiatives that make a real impact.

A Strong Supportive Network

Our trainee programme is collaborative and inclusive, trainees take part in buddy systems, social initiatives, and manage their own social budget — creating a vibrant and supportive environment. Our programme offers a personalised and impactful experience, guided by our Lawyer-led Professional Development Team. Trainees build lasting connections through mentoring, collaboration, access to senior leaders and a close-knit trainee community.

A dedicated Trainee Social Committee organises regular events—from informal gatherings to firm-wide celebrations—ensuring they have plenty of opportunities to network with their trainee intake and other employees across the firm. There is also a Trainee Committee that represents trainee interests and helps shape the experience across the programme.

Beyond social events, trainees can get involved in firm-wide clubs such as the book club, running club, and choir. These groups offer a great way to meet colleagues across departments.

We understand that every candidate brings a unique combination of experiences, strengths, and skills. At William Fry, we consider each application in its entirety, taking into account academic performance, personal qualities, and potential. A consistent academic record and a 2.1 degree or above are required but they are only part of the picture.

We look for individuals who are intellectually curious, commercially aware, and genuinely interested in pursuing a career in corporate law. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work well in a team are essential.

Our trainees are given real responsibility from the outset, so we seek people who are confident, adaptable, and ready to contribute. Whether you come from a law background or another discipline, what matters most is your attitude, your approach, and your readiness to embrace the opportunities that a traineeship at William Fry offers.

• Competitive Salary
• Law Society, Professional Practicing Course and FE1 exam fees covered by the firm.
• 22 days annual leave + additional firm wide days
• Travel Pass subsidy (up to €900 per year)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Subsidised canteen
• On site gym and access to personal training sessions.
• Employee assistance programme
• Life Assurance
• Firmwide social events
• Trainee Social Committee with dedicated budget for trainee events