Pictured above are (back row l-r) Jade Van Standen (Maynooth University), Cathal Moloney (Maynooth University), Shay Lydon (Matheson), Liz Grace (Matheson) Dylan Vaughan (Maynooth University) and Dr Karen Lynch Shally (Maynooth School of Law and Criminology). (front row l-r) Brónagh Maher (Matheson) and Tara Doyle (Matheson)
Six-month internships at Ireland's largest law firm Matheson open doors for two students of Maynooth's Funds Law course
Maynooth University / Matheson partnership offers a fast-track into Ireland’s financial services sector
Two Maynooth University law students have been awarded six-month internships and another a legal writing prize by Matheson LLP, Ireland's largest law firm. The three students were participants in the Funds Law course delivered by Matheson as part of Maynooth University's LLM programme.
Cathal Moloney from Thurles, Co. Tipperary and Dylan Vaughan from Delvin, Co. Westmeath were each awarded six-month internships in Matheson's Asset Management and Investment Funds department, based on their results and a competitive interview process, while Jade Van Standen from Cavan was awarded a legal writing prize, having received the highest grade for her written assignment forming part of the course assessment.
Matheson Chairperson and head of the firm's Asset Management and Investment Funds group, Tara Doyle said; "Matheson is delighted to recognise the achievements of Cathal, Dylan and Jade in the Funds Law course. International financial services represents a vibrant sector of the Irish economy, and the Matheson Funds Law internships offer these Maynooth University graduates an accelerated access to this area. To preserve and enhance Ireland's position as an international leader in financial services and as a leading international fund domicile, and to ensure Ireland's ongoing global competitiveness, our third level programmes must provide our graduates with the necessary specialist skills, training and mentoring to pursue careers in this space."
Matheson first partnered with Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology in 2013 to deliver the first specialised funds law course to be taught at an Irish university. Each week, Maynooth University LLM students attend lectures in Matheson’s offices, giving them unique exposure to a top international law firm. This year, the course included an emphasis on sustainable finance and ESG investing, examining the opportunities and challenges for the global funds industry in supporting the transition to a net zero economy.
Professor Michael Doherty, Head of Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology, said: “‘The collaboration with Matheson has always been one of the most important for the School. It is a clear example of what Law at Maynooth is all about - innovation, dynamic industry partnerships, and opportunities for our students. We are eternally grateful to Matheson, and to Liz, Tara and Brónagh for their support, and huge commitment, to the course, and look forward to the next decade! Well done to Cathal, Dylan and Jade!”
Matheson partner, Liz Grace, who originally created and wrote the Funds Law course said: “It is now coming up to almost ten years since designing and writing the Funds Law course, and I am delighted to see it continue to go from strength to strength. It has been our great pleasure at Matheson to collaborate with Professor Doherty and Maynooth University, allowing us to provide law students with exposure to an area of law in which Ireland continues to excel. Partnerships such as this between academia and industry are vital in sharing and fostering applied knowledge, supporting employment opportunity, and contributing to the skills base necessary to ensure Ireland's continued success in international financial services."
The Funds Law course in Maynooth University's LLM programme was the first specialised funds law course to be taught at an Irish university. It has formed a key part of the University’s postgraduate programmes since.
Brónagh Maher, Professional Support Lawyer at Matheson, who has coordinated and led the course for the past four years, said, “It was a pleasure to teach Cathal, Dylan and Jade and I am very proud of their achievements on the course. Hosting the students in our offices represents an innovative feature of this module, providing the students with an insight into working at a top international law firm. I believe it is hugely rewarding for everyone involved to be part of an initiative that links graduates with exciting career prospects in a growing industry."
The Irish funds industry directly employs over 17,000 people in Ireland across 10 different counties. Ireland is recognised internationally as one of the world's leading jurisdictions for funds, and is responsible for administering over 40% of the world’s alternative investment funds. The world’s major fund service providers have established a presence in Ireland, and the value of assets under administration in this country has surpassed the €6 trillion mark. Matheson acts for funds with 31% Irish market share of assets under management.
Through the collaborative effort of Matheson and Maynooth University, this partnership between industry and academia seeks to directly link education and employment opportunities in a vibrant business sector in Ireland today.
