Dechert

Dechert’s Dublin base is now at 5 Earlsfort Terrace opposite the National Concert Hall​. Fresh from a €20 million refurbishment, the building exudes sleek corporate chic: a reflective façade, two added floors, and an urban plaza out front fit with landscaped gardens, stone benches, and water features for peace and flair​. It’s got top-notch sustainability credentials – certified LEED Platinum. Inside, Dechert shares high ceilings, WiredScore Platinum connectivity, and plenty of natural light with other businesses, offering a boutique office feel. The location is hard to beat: less than five minutes from St Stephen’s, nestled between Georgian townhouses, eateries, parks, and embassies. Through the office windows, you can gaze at the historic concert hall with Iveagh Gardens beyond. The vibe is decidedly more old-school Dublin than hyper-modern Docklands — think refined elegance over shiny skyscrapers. Office culture at Dechert Dublin blends the intimacy of a small team with the perks of a big firm. Trainees and junior lawyers benefit from close contact with partners (small teams = lots of mentorship) and are entrusted with significant responsibility early on​. Despite the boutique feel, the team enjoys all the resources and benefits of Dechert’s global platform. There’s an active effort to be environmentally friendly in day-to-day operations, from paper-light workflows to encouraging use of the cycle-to-work scheme. On the social side, expect a calendar of events that mixes Dublin flavour with international flair. Being a US firm, Dechert also celebrates Thanksgiving in Dublin, giving a fun cultural crossover (who says no to pumpkin pie?). Lawyers typically work in-office most days (the collegial culture encourages it), but flexibility for remote days is available when needed.

Dechert’s Dublin trainee intake is very selective — typically just two trainees per year are hired​, though the Law Society of Ireland says the intake can be as many as five. The firm runs a paid summer internship for six lucky candidates, the main pipeline for these coveted spots, and those who secure a training contract can expect very personalized training (with so few juniors, you won’t be lost in a crowd). Salaries for Dechert Dublin trainees are among the highest in Ireland. First-year trainees are rumoured to start in the mid-€40,000s, climbing to around €50,000 in the second year. The reward for qualifying is even sweeter: Legal Cheek understands newly qualified (NQ) solicitors at Dechert Dublin earn €100,000 (or more)​ — a figure that turns heads in the market and reflects the US firm willingness to pay for top talent. Whilst your Dublin seats will focus on funds and finance, international secondments are non-negotiable at Dechert. All the Dublin trainees have to spend time in London — which is Dechert’s largest European office — in the litigation practice; the firm’s London trainees likewise come over to Dublin for a seat, drawn by the funds experience on offer​. This exchange keeps the culture collaborative and lets juniors access different markets. By qualification, a Dechert trainee in Dublin will have a bulging contacts book spanning multiple cities. The office’s integration with the wider firm is such that people shift between offices “seamlessly”​ — great news for anyone eyeing international opportunities. Trainees also benefit from full financial support through their qualification journey — the firm is understood to cover FE1 exam costs, Law Society course fees, and a full salary during your time at Blackhall. All these incentives come alongside the softer perks: 25+ days of annual leave, private medical insurance, gym membership discounts, and plenty of firm-sponsored social events that let you enjoy that salary!

The Earlsfort Terrace building is loaded with amenities to keep workers happy. There’s a “clubhouse” style basement facility with high-quality showers, lockers and changing rooms — perfect for those who bike or jog to work​. Cyclists benefit from secure bicycle parking and can freshen up in those plush facilities before hitting their desks​. While the building doesn’t have a full-service cafeteria just for Dechert, a shared basement canteen/lounge area serves tenants looking to refuel without venturing out. Tech-wise, as you’d expect, everything is top-notch — from speedy Wi-Fi to modern conferencing kit (essential for all those cross-border Zoom meetings). Step outside and you have ample food and coffee options in the immediate vicinity. Being in Dublin 2, a decent flat white is never far: there are trendy cafés on nearby Lesson Street and a handy coffee bar in the adjacent hotel. Lunchtime offers variety too — you can grab a gourmet sandwich or salad on Hatch Street, or stroll 5 minutes to Baggot Street for everything from sushi to burritos.

For a breath of fresh air, lawyers often meander over to the Iveagh Gardens next door, coffee in hand. This little park — something of a hidden gem — offers quiet paths, angel statutes, a grotto, and even a mini-maze, providing a peaceful midday escape. Getting to and from 5 Earlsfort Terrace is relatively easy by Dublin standards (no need to endure the Docklands commute chaos here!). The Luas tram (Green Line) has stops each roughly a 5-10 minute walk, connecting directly to the southside suburbs and across the city centre. Buses are equally well-served and the train is a quick hop away. Unsurprisingly, a fair few Dechert folks walk to work, given the central location — if you live anywhere around the city centre, a pleasant stroll through Georgian streets could be your morning routine. And cycling is encouraged: not only does the building provide bike storage and showers, but Dublin’s city bike-share stations are close by for last-mile convenience.

The surrounding area has a leafy, old-school charm. Iveagh Gardens is your go-to spot for summer lunchtimes, with its rose lawns and waterfall providing a tranquil backdrop to a busy workday. A short walk north takes you to Grafton Street and St Stephen’s Green. Come 5pm, the after-work social options abound. Here you’re spoiled: heritage pubs and classy bars are within easy reach. Many in the office pop down to O’Donoghue’s or Toners on Baggot Street — legendary watering holes known for traditional music and creamy pints — to decompress. For a more modern scene, the rooftop bar at the Dean Hotel on Harcourt Street is a popular spot, or even the beer garden at The Barge by the canal on a sunny evening. And of course, Copper Face Jacks is just around the corner on Harcourt Street. It’s a part of town where solicitors and finance folk mix with civil servants and academics, creating a slightly more refined atmosphere than the tech-centric Docklands. Expect a touch of formality — but also a friendly, community feel.

Dechert’s paid summer internship window (six places) takes place in July and is open for applications December to February. The internship will take place in July. The programme is open to applicants who will have completed at least two years of any degree by the summer, postgraduates or applicants who have successfully obtained a third-level degree qualification from any discipline.

Successful candidates will be invited to an assessment day where they will undertake a variety of assessments, including a partner interview.