Trainee Lawyer ProgrammeRealise your potential as a Matheson lawyer
Matheson is the law firm of choice for internationally-focused companies and financial institutions doing business in and from Ireland.
Our team draws on broad industry experience and networks to create meaningful outcomes for our clients, our colleagues and our society.
We deliver excellent services and develop the best legal and business talent. We believe that everyone at Matheson has a role to play in making a sustainable and positive impact and we empower our people to deliver change and support growth and innovation to lead the legal industry into the future.
To continue to achieve our purpose, we need people to join our firm who are curious, dynamic and collaborative.
We give you access to the tools and leadership needed to thrive and carve out a career advising the world’s most successful and innovative companies. At every stage in your career, your colleagues will be there to mentor, support, and advise you.
You will have access to award winning development programmes with some of the world’s leading executive education providers. As you progress in the firm, you will be expected to give back – to support others in achieving their meaningful contributions.
Newly Qualified Solicitors 2025
In 2025, 39 newly qualified solicitors were appointed across seven different practice areas. These appointments reflect the high calibre of graduates we attract onto our trainee programme and the firm’s commitment to developing that talent. Congratulations to everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Matheson, we focus on potential. We look for people who want to make a meaningful contribution through their professional career and who are committed to achieving this by living our core values of partnership, respect, innovation, diversity and entrepreneurship.
Our diverse and engaged community at Matheson is critical to our success, so being a focused team player with a clear level of understanding of what is required to work in a commercial law firm is a must.
Throughout the two-year training programme, we will work closely with you as you develop your understanding of the depth and breadth of our client base.
Your training will be based on four six-month rotations through a number of departments or practice areas to allow you to gain as broad an experience as possible and discover the full range of work we do and the expertise we have in our teams. You will be directly involved in choosing these rotations. We also have regular opportunities to complete a rotation in our London, New York or Cork offices.
You will be involved in some of the biggest cases and commercial transactions in Ireland in an exciting, deadline-driven environment. Your apprenticeship with Matheson will focus on two core areas:
supporting you as you become a part of our team and immerse yourself in Matheson’s work and culture; and
providing you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become a leading business lawyer.
Our comprehensive approach ensures that you develop the right skills through a combination of in-office partner and associate mentoring, project work, formal training sessions and regular feedback. We also support flexible working for our trainees through our Matheson Hybrid Working Policy.
Our Impactful Business Programme [Link to Impactful Business Pages] will offer you a range of opportunities to get involved and volunteer in an area that’s important to your own personal purpose.
We are proud to be the first organisation in Ireland to achieve Investors in Diversity Gold Standard re-accreditation from the Irish Centre for Diversity and we remain the only law firm in Ireland to hold the Gold Standard accreditation. This recognises our continued work to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees and their contributions and perspectives are valued and respected. We embrace diversity in everything we do. This involves building an environment that values the different talents and experiences of our employees and allows them bring their authentic selves to work.
Our commitment also extends to utilising our expertise on a wide range of issues in collaboration with clients and other organisations, including through our pro-bono work and CSR initiatives.
- Market leading salary
- Annual Health and Wellbeing Payment
- FE1 exams and PPC fees paid in full
- Pension contribution scheme
- Subsidised restaurant and coffee shop
- 23 days holidays per annum and an additional Matheson Mindful Day leave
- Matheson Hybrid and Flexible Working Policies
- Continuous training and education focused on developing legal, personal and client care skills
- On-site gym and dry cleaning facilities
- Tax saver schemes (eg, Bike to Work and Travel schemes)
- Sharing an office with a partner or associate, providing you with invaluable learning opportunities
- Overseas and secondment opportunities as part of your future career
- Annual trainee weekend away
- Volunteering opportunities with Matheson Foundation charities
- €500 book allowance
- 5 additional annual leave days post PPC
- Business casual dress code
Our Trainee Lawyer Programme will be open for applications in Autumn 2025.
Our team will be on Campus in the autumn – find out when we’ll be near you here
Careers at Matheson
Considering starting your career at Matheson?
Our Recruitment Resource Hub is here to support you on your application journey.
