The Legal Cheek View
A&L Goodbody (ALG) is among Ireland’s elite: a Big Six firm known for top ticket work, a friendly reputation, and a riverside office you cannot miss. With almost 400 lawyers and some 120 partners globally, ALG has offices in Belfast, London, New York, and San Francisco, giving it global reach — while Dublin very much remains the mothership. Founded in 1901 by brothers Alfred and Lewis Goodbody, the firm has over a century of legal heritage behind it. The firm’s history is entwined with the Republic, with ALG’s involvement in landmark deals and cases.
The firm is renowned across business law. This includes the firm’s core strengths in corporate and M&A, banking & finance, litigation & dispute resolution, and commercial property. It also leads in fields like tax, capital markets, funds, EU & competition, employment, and pretty much every other niche to boot. The breadth of top-tier specialisms means trainees get exposure to high-calibre work with a client list featuring many of the world’s biggest multinationals, banks and investors: think Goldman Sachs, Airbnb, Aviva, Sony, and Heineken — to name a few.
ALG’s Dublin headquarters are located in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) on the north bank of the River Liffey. During a major upgrade to its main offices at 25-28 North Wall Quay, the firm temporarily relocated just down the road to 3 Dublin Landings — a sleek, modern space it shared with Microsoft. Staff returning to the new office — expected later this year — will find a transformed space, expanded by over a third with two additional floors, a new atrium, and rooftop terraces. The building is designed to be Ireland’s first net-zero carbon office, boasting the latest in sustainable features and green credentials. Through the glass, lawyers enjoy sun in the afternoon and evening cast on the iconic Samuel Beckett Bridge. Trainees can grab morning coffee at the trendy cafés and enjoy lunch from salad bars to the famous local burrito joint — or an upmarket meal deal at Fresh — plus the CHQ food hall is a short stroll away. When the workday wraps up, the pub scene awaits: popular spots like The Harbourmaster and Urban Brewing are practically on the doorstep — or venture over to the south side for Temple Bar, Grafton Street, and Silicon Docks. Between the corporate buzz, the docklands vibe is lively and youthful.
At ALG, the circa 45 trainees experience four seats, rotating every six months. Trainees typically gain experience across corporate & M&A, finance, litigation/dispute resolution, commercial property, taxation, and pensions (among others). ALG tries to accommodate individual preferences, so if you have a passion to pursue, they’ll do their best to get you needed exposure. Each seat comes with formal training sessions tailored to trainees, covering the technical law, commercial awareness, and advocacy. All trainee solicitors share an office with a partner, which speaks volumes about the firm’s open-door culture — you literally sit next to a senior mentor, soaking up skills and feedback throughout your rotation. Questions are encouraged; the approach is described as friendly and non-hierarchical — trainees are also paired with a solicitor “guide” (mentor) to help navigate rookie life. Regular feedback, both informal and via formal reviews, ensures you know how you’re progressing and what to work on. By the time you approach qualification, the aim is that you feel client-ready. ALG reports a retention rate between 95–100%, meaning nearly all trainees are offered — and choose — to stay on as NQs.
While ALG doesn’t disclose exact figures for trainee or newly qualified (NQ) salaries, it’s known to pay at the top end of the Irish market. Trainee packages are rumoured to sit in the mid to high €40,000s, and the firm offers a highly competitive deal: full sponsorship of FE1 and Blackhall fees, a full salary throughout, plus an exam bonus for top marks. They also cover Law Society professional training fees — lifting a significant financial burden. By the time you qualify, the NQ salary is understood to rocket into the hefty range of €70-80k, making ALG among the highest-paying Dublin firms. There’s a discretionary Christmas bonus and other financial perks like a contribution to your pension and travel tax-saver schemes. Trainees get 25 days’ annual leave (with extra holidays at Christmas and Easter), paid maternity/paternity leave down the line, plus further education and home office allowances. Dress code is “modern professional,” meaning suits-lite, so they won’t blink if you lose the tie or rock business casual on quieter days — there’s even the occasional dress-down day.
Culture-wise, the firm emphasises being a “supportive and inclusive environment” to welcome rookies. There’s a “Great Place to Work” committee including trainee representatives, ensuring junior voices are heard in social and work-life initiatives, and you can expect regular quizzes, tag rugby, charity runs, and the occasional big night out sponsored by the firm. Post-covid, ALG embraced hybrid working, so expect occasional work from home when schedules allow, whilst the new office design is meant to encourage a more agile way of working. On wellness perks, the firm supports private health insurance, an employee assistance programme for wellbeing, and on-site facilities to make life easier (there’s a gym and showers, a subsidised canteen, and even a smoothie bar to keep energy levels up). With the grad recruitment accolades, it’s clear this is a successful combination.
Although Dublin is the main stage, ALG trainees can get experience beyond HQ’s doors. Trainees have the chance to go on secondment, either internationally or with a client, which the firm has noted are “of real benefit” to trainees. The most common option is London — typically spending six months in ALG’s satellite office. This gives a taste of the City market and helps build networks, commercial savvy, and an international perspective. Beyond London, one trainee went on secondment to Berlin! The Belfast office, meanwhile, often collaborates with Dublin on all-Ireland matters, meaning regular cross-border work is in the mix. Client secondments are also on offer — in-house with a large tech company or a bank ALG advises. By the time you qualify, you’ll likely have contacts inside and outside the Republic.
ALG has no listed grade expectations, but anything to stand out is a must. Aspirants should work on the firm’s sought-after key qualities: resilience, effective communication, motivation and initiative, ability to build relationships, intellectual ability and judgment, commercial awareness and commitment. Milkround is typically September-October. ALG also offer a summer internship, student placements, and their “Lawstart” programme for those looking to learn a bit more.
Money
The figures are based on a range.