Professional Work Placements

As a college student, the idea of stepping into a top-tier law firm can be both exciting and intimidating. When I secured a placement with William Fry, one of Ireland’s leading law firms, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Looking back now, I can confidently say that the experience was not only incredibly rewarding but also instrumental in shaping my understanding of legal practice in a real-world setting. For any second-year law student considering a college placement, I wholeheartedly recommend it and I especially recommend applying to William Fry.

From day one, the environment in William Fry was welcoming and professional. The induction process was structured yet friendly. We were introduced to the firm’s culture, values, and key departments. What stood out to me immediately was the emphasis on collaboration, learning, and growth. William Fry doesn’t just treat placement students as temporary visitors; they truly make you feel part of the firm.

During our first week, we were provided with detailed training sessions covering everything from legal research tools and document management systems to communication protocols and confidentiality. This groundwork proved incredibly helpful as I transitioned into my role within the team I was assigned to.

No two days at William Fry were exactly the same, which kept the experience dynamic and engaging. I was placed within two of the firm’s core practice areas, Litigation & Investigations and In-House Legal and quickly became involved in a variety of tasks.

Some of my day-to-day responsibilities included:

• Legal research: I frequently conducted research on specific areas of law relevant to ongoing client matters. This allowed me to develop strong research skills and become even more comfortable using databases like Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Practical Law.
• Drafting and proofreading: I assisted in preparing draft documents including client memos, internal notes, and document summaries. Attention to detail was key, and I learned to become more precise and analytical in my writing.
• Sitting in on client calls and meetings: These sessions gave me valuable insights into how partners and associates interact with clients, manage cases, and communicate complex legal concepts in accessible language.
• Administrative support: While less glamorous, helping with document organisation, bundling, and file management gave me an appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a large law firm running efficiently.

I also appreciated that associates and partners took the time to explain the context behind the tasks I was given. Rather than simply assigning work, they made an effort to ensure I understood how my contributions fit into the broader legal strategy.

What I really liked about William Fry is the firm’s commitment to mentorship and learning. Every placement student is assigned a ‘buddy’ who acts as a point of contact and guide throughout the placement. My buddy was approachable, patient, and generous with their time—always ready to answer questions, provide feedback, and involve me in new opportunities.

When I started college, I never expected that a professional placement would shape the direction of my entire career. I was a Bachelor of Civil Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice student from 2020 to 2024 and like many law students I was aware of the more traditional career paths of becoming a solicitor or barrister in Ireland but I had always been interested in seeing where else a law degree could take me.

During my degree, I had the option of studying abroad or completing a professional placement in my third year. I chose the placement and the university sourced a number of opportunities for students. I interviewed with HewardMills who offer global data protection, privacy and AI governance expertise and was fortunate enough to be offered the role. The role was a remote one and I was guided throughout the process by the School of Law matchmakers (the Placement and Study Abroad Officers) who helped make sure we were matched up with the right fitting role for us.

At the time data protection was not an area I had considered pursuing, nor did I fully understand the industry. My placement experience completely changed that. I discovered that privacy and data protection gave me a way to combine my interest in law, justice and human rights with an increasingly important area of technology and business. What began as an eight-month internship quickly became something much more. Six months into my placement, I was offered a permanent position in the company, initially as a Project Manager and later as a Client Manager & Consultant, a role I held for approximately two and a half years before being promoted to Head of Client Management in recent months. The company has also given me the opportunity to relocate from Ireland to London.

The placement gave me the flexibility to continue developing professionally during my final year of university. After returning from my placement year, I worked remotely on a part-time basis alongside completing my degree. Balancing university and professional responsibilities was challenging and a lot of coffee and late nights were had but it was one of the best things I could have done for my career progression. It taught me how to manage competing priorities, to organise my time effectively and to maintain a high standard of work across two very different environments. Perhaps most importantly, the experience opened my eyes to the fact that a law degree does not have to lead to one of the traditional legal professions… or limit you to one jurisdiction. My career in data protection has given me opportunities to work in an international field and to do lots of international travel including to Norway and Ghana. It has also ultimately led to my relocation to London this year. Even before adding travel or relocations into the mix, I had a truly global experience all from the comfort of my home as I worked remotely with a diverse team from all over the world.

Looking back, choosing a professional placement was one of the most important decisions I made in college. It introduced me to a career I had never considered, gave me practical experience that complemented my studies and ultimately became the foundation of my professional career. For students considering a placement, my advice would be to approach it with an open mind. You do not necessarily need to know exactly what career you want before you graduate or where you want to be in the world. Sometimes the most valuable opportunities are the ones that introduce you to something you never expected to pursue or are in places you never expected to be.

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An internship in Clark Hill is an exceptional experience. Its location and size allowed me to be immersed into the practical “real world” life of a legal firm. Throughout my 9-month tenure I had worked in the Commercial, Litigation, Bankruptcy, and Property sectors of the firm. I felt honoured that Clark Hill gave me great responsibility in all matters concerned whilst ensuring any and all were available to give guidance wherever I needed it. 

I had the luxury of working alongside affable Legal Assistants, liaising daily with the Partners and Associates, and being checked in on by the H.R. manager. Between them all I never felt lost or confused. 

My role in Clark Hill never kept me long at a desk. On any given day I was at the Four Courts, sitting in on client meetings, delivering documents or acquiring oaths. When I was at my desk the tasks assigned varied and carried great importance be it researching information requested by a client, preparing motions, filing Affidavits, and drafting Deeds. After an Internship at Clark Hill, you will had gained second to none know-how into the legal world which you can carry on to your CV and future prospects.

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I was delighted to be offered an internship in Eversheds Sutherland for my placement year in college. From the interview stage at the very beginning, to being a member of the Eversheds team, my experience here has been nothing short of incredible. Everybody I have met and dealt with in the firm has been extremely friendly and welcoming, and I have gained considerable experience and exposure to many areas of law. I was given extensive opportunity to deal with clients, and be a part of important, high-profile transactions.

What I found most valuable was the involvement I had in different projects and transactions. The team partners had no hesitancy in involving me in any task, big or small, and viewed each task as an opportunity to learn and develop my legal knowledge. I was given feedback and guidance at every corner, which has helped me immensely to better my proficiency both generally and in the various areas of law.

I had the pleasure of meeting many incredible people during my time in Eversheds Sutherland, some of whom I believe will remain friends and mentors for life. My time in Eversheds has only heightened my desire to pursue a career in law, and I could not have asked for a better firm to complete my placement experience in. I cannot recommend Eversheds highly enough, and I am extremely grateful to both Eversheds and NUIG for facilitating this brilliant experience.