Why Arthur Cox?
What's in the programme?
Our five-week internship combines practical experience with a comprehensive training and development programme designed to help you get the most from your time at Arthur Cox.
You will be based in one of our five main practice areas, where you will work on high-quality client matters and pro bono projects. You will also have the opportunity to explore the firm's other practice areas through a series of workshops.
Throughout the programme, you will attend seminars and skills sessions that provide a realistic insight into the dynamic and varied nature of life as a trainee in a leading law firm.
A career at Arthur Cox is challenging, rewarding and diverse. During your internship, you will be supported by experienced colleagues and have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and experience that are essential to success as a lawyer.
Skills you will learn include:
Advanced writing and drafting
Negotiation
Teamwork
Project management
Communication
Practice management
Business development
What sets us apart?
Accommodation assistance
We provide accommodation for interns living outside of Dublin.
SOCIAL EVENTS
We arrange social events during your internship to help you get to know your colleagues. We have sports & social societies to get involved in such as tag rugby, choir, football, running club, book club as well as our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.
Pro bono
We partner with NGOs, charities, and independent law centres that deliver legal services to the most vulnerable people in the community. During your internship you will have the opportunity to work on a pro bono project and gain practical insight into this area of legal practice.
Diverse academic backgrounds
You don’t have to study law to pursue a career in law with us. We ensure that our application and interview processes do not disadvantage applicants who have not studied law. You will not be asked any legal questions during the interview process.
REAL-LIFE CLIENT WORK
You will assist on real client matters and gain hands-on experience across a range of high-quality work. Alongside seminars and skills sessions, this will provide a realistic insight into the pace and variety of life at Arthur Cox.
We are looking for
Team players
Organisational skills
Time management skills
Drive
Ambition
Intellectual rigour
Curiosity
Excellent problem-solving skills
Strong communication
you will get
Fully-paid internship
Exposure to high-calibre clients and work
Comprehensive training programme
Supportive environment
Employee Assistance Programme
Firmwide social events
Accommodation (for interns based outside of Dublin)
Potential pathway to traineeship
About the Firm
The dedication and talent of our people make Arthur Cox the law firm we are today. Our firm is recognised at national and international level for both our legal services and our workplace.
When you join Arthur Cox, you will work with leaders in commercial law. You will work on some of the most complex and innovative transactions in Ireland and become part of a team of highly respected experts. Our lawyers are committed to exposing you to opportunities essential for your professional growth. Development of your professional knowledge and experience is a key feature of training with us.
Our programme is designed for people who are keen to develop their legal skills, take on meaningful work and build a career in law. You will do this in a collaborative environment where colleagues support one another and where strong relationships remain central to the firm's 100+ year history and culture.
We want to create an environment where people can do their best work and continue to develop throughout their careers. That means providing high-quality training, meaningful opportunities to learn, and the chance to work alongside experienced colleagues on some of the most interesting and complex matters in the market.
We believe that people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and respected. This collaborative approach benefits our clients too, helping us deliver practical, commercially focused advice.
"Internships are not just about gaining legal experience—they’re about discovering the kind of professional environment where you can thrive.
At Arthur Cox, we believe in giving interns a genuine sense of what it’s like to be part of our team. From day one, you’ll be invited to contribute, collaborate, and connect with colleagues across the firm. It’s an opportunity to explore your potential and see how your values align with ours."
Geoff Moore, Managing Partner
Thinking about a traineeship?
Our Summer Intern Programme gives you a first-hand experience of life at Arthur Cox, including the work we do and the culture that shapes our firm. It is also a key route into our Trainee Programme, with many of our trainees beginning their careers as summer interns.
If you go on to become a trainee at Arthur Cox, some of the highlights include:
- Five rotations, including pro bono
- Client secondments
- Trainee bursary
- Comprehensive Knowledge, Learning and Development Programme
- Advanced electives – Accredited external provider
Of trainees who joined us between 2024 and 2026 previously participated in the intern programme
I took part in the Summer Internship Programme at Arthur Cox in June 2023. Before starting, I was somewhat nervous about doing the internship as I was in my second year of law and younger than the others on the programme. Any fears I had were alleviated on my first day in the firm when I met my fellow summer interns and saw what a welcoming environment there was in the firm.
I joined the Corporate M&A Group, where I was assigned a trainee ‘buddy’ to mentor me. I was delighted with the level of work I was able to engage with during my internship, including working on real-life cross-border transactions and gaining useful insight into the type of work carried out by Arthur Cox and the clients the firm advises. There truly was an open-door policy, with everyone, from NQs to partners, willing to sit down and explain the work I was doing, as well as the background to the matters.
The internship provided me with great insight into all of the practice groups at Arthur Cox, as we received training sessions from each group on their work and clients. Trainees across the firm were more than happy to meet for a coffee to discuss the tasks specific to trainees in their practice groups. It was also a great opportunity to get advice about sitting the FE1s and completing a degree in law.
The highlight of my internship was the people. Arthur Cox arranged a variety of social events which allowed the summer interns to really get to know each other and connect, ranging from mini-golf to a cocktail-making class. I made a number of lifelong friends during the internship, and I feel extremely lucky to have returned as a trainee and to now be working alongside so many familiar faces and friends.
Eoin Kelehan
2026 Trainee intake
I took part in the Arthur Cox Summer Internship Programme in July 2021 in the Technologies and Innovation Group. I was initially drawn to Arthur Cox not only because of its reputation for legal excellence, but also because of its people-first culture. The firm's emphasis on employee wellbeing and professional development stood out to me from the outset and made it a place where I could see myself building a career.
I was placed in the Technologies and Innovation team. During the internship, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, as well as contribute to pro bono work through the Amicus Project. The experience gave me valuable insight into the pace and variety of work undertaken by solicitors at a leading law firm. Everyone was incredibly approachable and generous with their time, taking the opportunity to answer questions and share advice about their careers and the profession. My pre-seat was also in the Technologies and Innovation Group, allowing me to build on the relationships and knowledge I developed during the summer programme.
I would encourage anyone considering applying for the Arthur Cox Summer Internship Programme to do so. It is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, work alongside exceptional people and develop a real understanding of what it is like to train and practise at Arthur Cox.
Anna O’Doherty
2026 Trainee intake
I completed the Arthur Cox Summer Internship Programme in 2021 and was placed in the Competition & Regulated Markets Group. During the internship, I had the opportunity to work on real client matters, attend training sessions across a range of practice areas and learn from trainees, associates and partners throughout the firm. One of the most interesting aspects was seeing how Arthur Cox works with global clients and interacts with legal advisers in other jurisdictions, which gave me a real sense of the international nature of the firm's work. The programme was also very social, with plenty of events organised for interns, making it easy to get to know both the other interns and people across the firm.
Having since returned to Arthur Cox as a trainee, I can see how valuable the internship was in preparing me for the role. It gave me insight into the firm's culture, helped build my confidence in a professional environment and provided a strong foundation for my traineeship. The people, the quality of the work and the supportive atmosphere were what stood out most to me, and the experience confirmed that Arthur Cox was the right place to start my legal career. I would strongly encourage any student interested in working in corporate law to apply.
Jack Kenny
2026 Trainee intake
I took part in the Arthur Cox Summer Internship Programme in June 2024, where I got the opportunity to work within the firm’s Litigation Group. The combination of hands-on experience, exposure to the workings of the different practice groups, and opportunities to learn from talented lawyers at every level made the internship very insightful, and incredibly enjoyable.
This Programme gave me an invaluable insight into life at a leading commercial law firm and confirmed my ambition to pursue a career as a solicitor. I had the opportunity to contribute to meaningful legal work and gain a practical understanding of how teams collaborate to deliver innovative and practical solutions for clients. The experience provided a strong foundation for my Traineeship, where I continue to draw on the skills I developed and the relationships I built during the Internship Programme. It helped me build confidence in a professional setting, develop key research and communication skills, and gain a clear understanding of the firm's culture and expectations. I can confidently say that the Internship Programme played a significant role in preparing me for the challenges and opportunities of training at Arthur Cox – an experience I would recommend to anyone interested in a career in law!
Liam Cleary
2026 Trainee intake
Our Trainee Steering Group
Our Trainee Steering Group is responsible for everything trainee and intern-related, from recruitment to training and qualification. They work closely with the Trainee Group to ensure the firm is hiring the brightest and best minds and providing them with exceptional training and development.
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