The Legal Cheek View
Addleshaw Goddard’s Dublin office blends venerable Irish legal heritage with a buzzy international firm. Housed at the sleek Fitzwilliam 28 development on the Georgian Mile, the firm’s eco-friendly, state-of-the-art premises sit amid townhouses and leafy squares in the heart of Dublin 2. Trainees and lawyers here enjoy bike storage, showers, and even private terraces — while being steps from both Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares — plus a host of cafés, pubs and eateries. Lunchtime might mean a stroll past Oscar Wilde’s statue in Merrion Square or grabbing a sandwich from the local Tesco; after work, rookies can seek out with pubs like The Star Bar and Toners on Baggot Street for a pint or dinner, or popular spots on Merrion Row such as Doheny & Nesbitt’s. In short, the Dublin office offers both modern comforts and Dublin charm, giving lawyers a taste of big-firm life in a boutique setting.
Addleshaws’ Irish operations are built on the sturdy foundations laid by Eugene F Collins (EFC), a Dublin firm founded in 1893. For nearly 130 years, EFC cultivated a strong reputation in Ireland, advising many of the country’s leading businesses and institutions. In a historic move, Addleshaw Goddard — a prominent UK-headquartered firm — merged with Eugene F. Collins in March 2022, marking the largest-ever combination between a UK and independent Irish law firm. The merger instantly gave Addleshaws a full-service Dublin presence and a rich local legacy to build upon. EFC’s then-managing partner, Mark Walsh, became head of Ireland for the merged firm, ensuring continuity.
Addleshaw Goddard offers a full-service practice. The merger combined EFC’s extensive expertise in corporate, property, banking, and litigation with Addleshaws’ international reach. The corporate group, led by partner Deborah Kelly, has been busy on big-ticket deals — especially in private equity and venture capital. It has added numerous PE funds and high-growth companies to its client list, and is noted for mid-cap M&A and growth capital investments in sectors from retail to pharma. On the litigation front, Addleshaws handles everything from financial services and regulatory disputes to professional negligence and product liability cases. The firm also has growing expertise in financial services regulation, tax, real estate, and energy — often through lateral hires. Clients range from blue chip clients, many with Irish HQs or roots, as well as international businesses. This translates into headline-grabbing deals. Addleshaws advised Bartra Healthcare on the €161 million sale of four nursing homes, in a cross-border transaction boasting the largest single investment in Ireland’s care home sector.
Trainees in Dublin can expect a broad diet of work with potential for cross-border experience. Dublin trainees will be working on multi-jurisdictional projects — a recent example saw Dublin lawyers team up with colleagues in London on a transaction in the tech sector. In exchange, they’ll earn a handsome €46,000 in year one, with a bump to €47,000 in year two — plus all the PPC fees covered. Upon qualification, the salary shoots up to €75k, well on par with Dublin’s leading firms. These are coveted spots for the circa 10 trainees taken in each year. International exposure combined with training in a smaller intake, is an excellent combo for producing great lawyers — on top of the EFC heritage and swanky office! Addleshaws also runs various professional development initiatives; for instance, it hosted a “Legal Tech Innovation” competition for trainees. From a lifestyle perspective, a trainee in Addleshaws’ Dublin office will work hard but they’ll do so in a gorgeous part of town with excellent coffee and lunch options, with a global, supportive, and knowledgeable team drawing on over a century in heritage.
Addleshaw Goddard’s new Dublin home at Fitzwilliam 28 is a modern statement building in the heart of Georgian Dublin’s business district. The firm occupies 28,000 sq ft across two floors in this development, and moved there in 2025 to accommodate its 200+ staff after an official opening with a ribbon-cutting by a government minister. Beautiful shadows are cast down past the blocky and leafy surrounds, through the tranquil windows. This is a key hub for the firm, which sees Ireland as “an important market in the firm’s global growth strategy.”
The “best in class” office facilities — including a striking double-height reception and modern ergonomic workspaces — don’t hurt either. And when you step out of the office, you’re surrounded by world-class museums, the National Gallery, Trinity College a short walk away, and plenty of spots to unwind.
Despite being part of a 1,000-lawyer global firm, the Dublin team is understood to boast a collegiate atmosphere where trainees and juniors work closely with partners. There’s an evident focus on innovation (the firm often speaks of legal tech and smarter working) but also on work-life balance. The firm offers training contracts in Dublin directly, a relatively new development since the merger while summer internships (four weeks long) serve as the pipeline where TCs are offered to the lucky few who manage to stand out. Candidates need to have their Irish FE-1 exams passed and be ready to start the Law Society’s Professional Practice Course. The firm is on record saying “there is no Addleshaw Goddard type” — instead, they seek “authentic personalities who are aspiring, confident and committed to becoming great lawyers” — diversity and individuality are welcomed.
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Addleshaw Goddard consider candidates with a 2:2 or equivalent with mitigating circumstances.