Our Culture
Creating the best law firm experiences for both our clients and our people
We want to create the right culture and conditions so that people get the most out of their work - through exceptional training, high standards, and outstanding opportunities. Trainees are surrounded by the brightest minds and engage in meaningful projects, all within a respectful and inclusive environment that values individuality and rewards talent fairly.
This means clients get the benefit of joined-up, commercially astute thinking and advice with the highest service levels, truly focused on delivery and unrivalled added value and representing all-round excellence in their experience too. Our purpose reflects this balance and partnership, with a shared commitment to excellence for each other and for those we serve.
"People take their work very seriously but don’t take themselves too seriously (the latter being the slightly unexpected part!). This lends itself to a very enjoyable (and often fun) experience!"
Shane O'Neill, Partner
"What became immediately apparent to me on joining the firm was the wide variety of committees and teams that exist within the network of everyone working here. There are great opportunities to get involved in something that appeals to you, whether that be the soccer or tag rugby teams or the committees like our LGBTQ+ committee alliance.''
Cathal Kelleher, 2023 Intake
Equity, diversity & inclusion
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) has been a business imperative here at Arthur Cox for a number of years. It is central to the culture and ethos of the firm.
Our mission is to be a firm where our differences are supported and embraced and where all of our people feel like they belong and can fulfil their potential. We have made much progress on this important work over the years but recognise that there is still a considerable amount to do to build on these foundations. Our EDI sponsoring partners are Louise O’Byrne and Patrick Horan, who lead the firm’s efforts in implementing an inclusive work environment.
In recent years, we have further developed our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives, and have focused our efforts on making meaningful progress on our objectives and priorities through four pillars:
- Gender
- LGBTQ+
- Race and ethnicity
- Disability and neurodiversity
Exceptional training
Our Knowledge, Learning and Development Group works closely with the Trainee Group to ensure the firm is providing trainees with exceptional training and development, in line with the Trainee Competency Framework, during the course of their traineeship. The programme equips trainees with the knowledge and skills they need and helps them understand the work of the firm so that they can develop a broad-based career. The programme develops a number of core skills areas, including:
- Practice management skills
- Technical skills
- Self and time management skills
The Trainee Knowledge, Learning and Development Programme comprises of approximately 80 hours of skills sessions. Your development is maximised through a combination of face-to-face or virtual training and workshops, goal-setting, on the job experience, supervision and feedback, and one-on- one support.
In addition we also have a wealth of on-line training available to you, supporting our culture of continuous learning and improvement.
Pro bono
Pro bono work is an integral part of our sustainable business strategy. We believe that universal access to justice is essential to the rule of law. We are proud to provide free legal services to a wide range of clients, from individual refugees and people at risk of homelessness to not-for-profit organisations and charities. Providing high-quality legal services to those without the means to pay has long been a part of the firm’s culture and part of our commitment to give back to the communities where we live and work.
Sustainable business
Being a sustainable business is one of the key focuses of our strategy for the future. We have a proud history of engaging in meaningful activities that benefit our people, communities and other stakeholders.
Our Sustainable Business Programme is overseen by the firm’s Sustainable Business Committee which consists of senior partners and business leaders from across the firm that report directly to the firm’s Management Committee. The programme is coordinated by a dedicated Sustainable Business Lead and is implemented by a number of sub-committees with staff representation from all areas of the firm. Through this diversity we ensure success.
