The Legal Cheek View
A Big Six firm, McCann FitzGerald traces its roots back to the 1820s and took its current form following a 1965 merger. One of its major predecessors, McCann White & FitzGerald, was co-founded in 1947 by Alexis FitzGerald – a prominent solicitor and politician – who served as senior partner until passing away in 1985.
This deep-rooted heritage translates into serious clout: over the decades, McCann FitzGerald has been at the centre of landmark transactions and high-profile cases in Ireland. The firm has advised the Irish government and public bodies on major projects, from the Central Bank to the National Transport Authority, and has even counted the US Government among its clients. While its historic pedigree boosts the firm’s prestige, McCann FitzGerald continues to shape the legal landscape. It recently advised on Ireland’s largest-ever healthcare project – the €750 million New Children’s Hospital in Dublin. Though headquartered in Dublin, the firm maintains boutique offices in London, New York, and Brussels, focused primarily on international and cross-border work.
Prospective trainees won’t want to miss the office, purpose-built in 2007 and located on the banks of the Liffey at Riverside One. Set in the heart of Silicon Docks, it sits directly opposite the iconic Convention Centre on the north bank. Inside, trainees will find a well-equipped, modern workspace that blends professional polish with everyday comfort. Life at Riverside One comes with plenty of perks and excellent facilities, including an in-house restaurant and canteen serving subsidised meals — perfect for grabbing dinner before a late-night stint — along with high-quality coffee.
The coffee machines and snack areas are said to be well-stocked, with free fruit and the occasional sweet treat making the rounds. Comfy lounges and quiet corners are dotted throughout the office, ideal for a quick reset or casual team chat. McCann has embraced hybrid working post-pandemic, allowing occasional work-from-home days supported by strong tech and IT services. The firm also offers wellbeing support, including regular “lunch and learn” sessions focused on health and mental wellness. A lively social committee keeps the calendar full with sports clubs, seasonal parties, firm-wide away days and Friday evening drinks — a great way to unwind with fellow trainees. The overall atmosphere is busy, friendly, and far from stuffy.
Right next door to the firm’s office is the Ferryman, a classic pub offering meals and drinks and cool sea breezes, with your fish and chips best enjoyed on the sunniest days, when it gets busy. The rooftop at the nearby Marker Hotel is a popular choice for a fancy cocktail. For something lighter, a pop up coffee and snack kiosk awaits just outside, ideal for those scenic breaks along the south bank.
The firm’s practice is organised into four core groups: corporate (including M&A), banking and financial services, disputes, and real estate (including construction). Within and across these groups, McCann runs a number of specialist teams.Its client base is as broad as it is prestigious, spanning tech startups and fintech disruptors, global banks and investment funds, aviation leasing giants, energy and infrastructure firms, pharma and life sciences companies, agri-food conglomerates, and public sector organisations. If there’s a booming sector in Ireland, McCann likely has a hand in it. The firm has long been a leader in aviation finance — a key industry in Ireland — and is well known for its work in technology and data privacy through its dedicated tech and innovation group. More recently, McCann has made strategic moves into lawtech, launching R&D initiatives to streamline due diligence processes and deploying AI tools to support transactional work.
Trainees typically undergo four rotations of roughly six months each, cycling through the firm’s core departments to get a broad experience. During each seat, you share an office with a partner and work closely with them on live cases – offering mentoring, learning, and networking and putting you at the Irish legal forefront, which speaks to the firm’s open-door ethos. The firm ensures you see a mix of corporate, finance, litigation, and property work, and you can express preferences for areas you’re keen on. McCann’s intake size is rumoured to be moderate – with around over 40+ trainees taken on each year, you’re part of a broad cohort. McCann’s retention rates are strong – most trainees who want to stay are offered newly qualified roles, reflecting the firm’s investment in growing its own talent.
Though figures aren’t disclosed, Legal Cheek understands McCann pays competitive salary. A trainee should expect a salary in the mid to high €40,000s, which is at the top end in the Dublin market. Newly qualified solicitors at McCann FitzGerald are said to earn around €75,000, excluding bonuses. When you factor in perks like subsidised meals, taxi reimbursements, and tech support, the overall package becomes even more appealing. The firm conducts annual salary reviews, and as the market shifts, McCann is known to adjust pay accordingly.
McCann FitzGerald offers trainees a chance to spread their wings with part of their training in one of the firm’s overseas offices – London, Brussels, and New York are all on the menu. In fact, McCann was the first Irish firm to offer a stint in New York, giving rookies the chance to advise US clients on Irish law. Closer to home, client secondments are also a possibility – some trainees go on loan to major clients (or even to government departments) to experience an in-house legal environment. Secondments typically last a few months and occur during one of the rotation periods. They’re not guaranteed but the odds are good, with a significant chunk of the cohort going on placement.
On the green front, McCann FitzGerald stands out. It achieved carbon-neutral status by offsetting all its emissions through UN-approved carbon credits, and it’s not stopping there. In 2024 the firm committed to science-based targets for cutting emissions, aiming for net-zero in line with global best practices. Sustainability is baked into office life too – expect recycling schemes, paperless workflows, and even bee-friendly plants on the terrace (if you look closely!). The firm’s Responsible Business program also encourages volunteerism and pro bono work, so trainees can get involved in community initiatives. On the diversity and inclusion front, McCann was a founding signatory of Ireland’s Pro Bono Pledge and recently signed the Women in Finance Charter to promote gender pay equity.