The Legal Cheek View
Arthur Cox has over 100 years of heritage in Dublin, before more recent expansions into London, New York, San Francisco, and Belfast. Founded in 1920 by Arthur Cox and John McArevey, the firm grew became involved in significant legal and political developments in the Republic’s history. From shaping industrial policy and the landmark Companies Act to advising on the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty, Arthur Cox never seemed to slow down. Arthur himself served in the Senate 1954-57, before joining the priesthood after retiring from the law, when he went to Africa on a Jesuit mission!
Within six years, the firm had outgrown its original premises, prompting a move to “two of the most elegant buildings on the green” — today, Arthur Cox has stayed true to its roots and is based at 10 Earlsfort Terrace, just a stone’s throw from St Stephen’s Green, right by the National Concert Hall and near the tranquil Iveagh Gardens. Here the streets are leafy and the terraces Georgian. Trainees can pop out for a breather in the park or a coffee on nearby Harcourt Street, though the building provides plenty of creature comforts. The reflect glass office is state-of-the-art with top sustainability credentials, and allowed the firm to consolidate almost 700 staff under one roof, from the previous three buildings. Inside, you’ll find bright open-plan workspaces, glass-walled meeting rooms, and sleek breakout areas to encourage teamwork. There’s an onsite restaurant and barista coffee bar serving up meals and espresso to fuel those busy days. Lawyers enjoy the free in-house gym equipped to de-stress with morning workouts or post-deal yoga classes. In short, the Dublin office is a polished corporate HQ nestled in the charming park-side Dublin 2 location.
The firm provides 20 days of annual leave, sponsors your FE1 and PPC course, and offers health and wellness benefits through an Employee Assistance Programme. Salaries are competitive in the Irish market: while not officially published, the firm pays well above the Law Society’s minimum trainee stipend (~€30k) — market chatter puts first-year trainee pay in the mid-€40,000s range. By the time you qualify, an Arthur Cox NQ (newly qualified) solicitor can earn around €70–75k+ per year, which is on par with the top of the Dublin market. There’s also a bonus scheme and incremental raises. Money isn’t everything, of course, and many are quick to point out the career progression opportunities: Arthur Cox has a strong record of retaining its trainees and promoting from within. The managing partner, Geoff Moore, joined the firm as a trainee, as did the current chair and many other partners.
Arthur Cox is a top-tier Big Six “all-island” titan, with over 300 lawyers in Ireland, whose practices span the full spectrum of corporate and business law. The firm is especially renowned for its M&A and finance work, regularly handling Ireland’s headline deals in sectors from banking to tech. (Notably, its technology & innovation group is the largest dedicated tech law team in the country, advising many US tech giants on establishing operations in Ireland.) Other key areas include capital markets, litigation & dispute resolution, real estate, competition, tax, and more — what you’d expect from a firm of this stature. The client base ranges from global banks and blue-chip multinationals to government agencies and innovative startups, ensuring trainees get exposure to big-name clients and high-value transactions from the get-go. Prestigious accolades follow the firm’s work on as regular a basis as they come.
Arthur Cox offers around 60 training contracts in Dublin, among the biggest intakes in Ireland. This means a ready-made community of fellow trainees — the firm emphasises the support network built within each intake. Trainees are paired with senior mentors (each shares an office with a partner or senior associate), fostering vertical connections from day one. The culture is described as ambitious yet friendly: you’re working with some of Ireland’s top legal minds, but there’s a genuine openness to helping juniors learn. The firm has a dedicated Trainee Steering Group (comprising partners) overseeing training and development.
The trainee programme at Arthur Cox is structured to give a well-rounded experience. Arthur Cox offers five seats instead of the typical four. Trainees rotate through all the firm’s core departments — generally corporate/M&A, finance, litigation/dispute resolution, and property — as well as choosing a fifth rotation, often in a specialist area. The firm also lets trainees state preferences before each rotation, and they do their best to accommodate interests. Whether tech, funds, or a pro bono (and NGO) seat, trainee choice is key for that fifth and final rotation.
International and client secondments are another exciting part of the programme. Arthur Cox trainees have the chance to do a rotation in the London office gaining cross-border experience and learning about life in the City over the Irish Sea. The firm can also arrange client secondments — often in sectors like technology or finance — to let you see the in-house perspective firsthand, develop those all-important business networks, understand client needs, and build commercial awareness. According to the firm, one trainee shared how she spent four months on secondment at a large social media company’s privacy team.
Arthur Cox tries to balance hard hours in corporate law with perks and social activities. One tradition is the annual Trainee Weekend Away, when trainees head off together for a weekend trip — a chance to bond outside the office and let off steam (legend has it these weekends are quite memorable). Throughout the year, there are firm-wide social events, sports teams, volunteering initiatives, and informal get-togethers that help integrate trainees into the firm’s social fabric. Arthur Cox is also known for its commitment to pro bono and community work; it runs the Arthur Cox Zambia Project, when final-seat trainees fundraise and travel to Zambia to work on educational and development projects — making an impact before qualifying.
Arthur Cox welcomes applications from students of all disciplines (from third year onwards). Though it can help, there’s no requirement for legal work experience or that candidates have completed any FE1 exams prior to applying. Applicants should highlight transferable skills, be clear and concise in their cover letters, and explain their interest in corporate law and the firm specifically. There’s no grade requirement as the firm assesses you on “more than just academic achievement” but be prepared to stand out!