Graduate Programmes

Traineeship Highlights

As a William Fry Trainee, you will benefit from a structured programme designed to build your knowledge and experience over your Traineeship.

Click a programme highlight to find out more.

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If you are training to be a Solicitor you will have a number of varied rotations where you are assigned to a practice group and a Supervising Partner. During your rotations you will acquire practical legal skills such as how to draft legal documents, interact with clients, manage cases and, importantly, work as a team member. We will work with you to identify the practice area of your choice and assign you there for your final rotation before you qualify.

Challenging Work

At William Fry we believe you develop your experience based on the work you are given. The Firm strives to ensure the work you do is challenging and extends both your experience and capabilities.

Growing Responsibility

At every stage of your development within the Firm, you are encouraged to use your own initiative as much as possible. Your responsibility for handling aspects of cases and transactions will increase rapidly as your knowledge and confidence grows. But you will not be working alone – our ethos is team-based, and you will have the support of an assigned Partner throughout.

Regular Appraisals

Every six months you will receive an appraisal from the Supervising Partner to whom you have been assigned. The appraisal is intended to be objective and constructive and is designed to help you develop your particular strengths and abilities. At the same time, we will identify any difficulties you may be experiencing and find solutions to keep you on track.

Information Resources

At William Fry you will have desktop access to a comprehensive suite of technology which allows you to perform at the highest level. A key component of this is the Firm’s Knowledge Management System, linking you to information, both internal (know how and library resources) and external (online and other electronic services). Our library staff will train and support you in legal research, and our dedicated professional support team will keep you up-to-date with technical developments.

Secondment

It may be possible for you to do a secondment of up to six months in the Firm's London office or with a client either in Ireland or abroad. This has proven an invaluable experience for Trainees.

Consultation

Trainees elect a Committee which meets regularly to identify any issues that need to be brought to the attention of the Partners’ Trainee Committee. The full group of Trainees meets regularly with the Managing Partner to share ideas and discuss suggestions for refinement of your training experience at William Fry.

Career Advice

Throughout your career at William Fry, you will have the support of our HR team. They will help you to complete and submit your Tax and Law Society paperwork, discuss rotation choices at every stage of your Traineeship, and provide tailored advice on how to best match your interests and talents to one of the Firm’s practice areas upon qualification.

Life Beyond Work

William Fry’s social committee organises a regular and varied series of activities funded by the Firm. Recent activities have included barbecues, rugby weekends, tennis and soccer leagues, tag rugby, a cinema screening and a Dublin walking tour.

There are also opportunities to participate in the Firm's CSR programme which encompasses various strands from pro bono work to environmental policies through to volunteering projects.