Dream come true for Longford student awarded internship at top international law firm Matheson

Longford native Jordan Donoghue has been awarded a six month internship in the Asset Management and Investment Funds Department at Matheson, one of Ireland’s leading law firms. 

Jordan, a former student of Ballymahon Vocational School, received the internship award on the basis of her results on the Funds Law module of the Maynooth University LLM in Global Legal Studies and a competitive interview process. 

Alanna Kells from Cavan was also honoured with a Legal Writing Award for her written work on the Funds Law course.

The specialised Funds Law course is coordinated and delivered by Mullingar native, Brónagh Maher, who is a visiting lecturer in law at Maynooth University and Head of Matheson’s Asset Management Knowledge Team. 

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Speaking at a special event at Matheson's offices at Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, to honour Jordan and Alanna, Jordan said: "Being awarded an internship at Matheson was really a dream come true for me.  When selecting my modules for my LLM at Maynooth University, I did not hesitate in signing up for Matheson's Funds Law course as I thought that this would be an amazing opportunity to enhance my knowledge of such a rapidly developing area of law that is not readily available on college syllabuses. 

"During my time in Matheson, I have been given many great opportunities to expand my skill set and enhance my knowledge of funds law and sustainable finance.  This has sparked a major interest in this sector for me and I hope that in the near future I can hopefully qualify into this practice area."

Congratulating Jordan and Alanna on their achievements to date, Brónagh said: “It has been a pleasure to teach Jordan and Alanna and to now work alongside Jordan.  It is hugely rewarding to be involved in an initiative that gives students the practical knowledge and skills to work in a thriving sector of the Irish economy, and to facilitate their first steps in an exciting career in the Irish funds industry."

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This year, Matheson celebrates the 10th anniversary of its partnership with Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology in delivering the first specialised funds law course to be taught at an Irish university. 

Each week, Maynooth University LLM students leave the University campus to 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.

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Head of Matheson's Asset Management and Investment Funds Department, Tara Doyle, said, "We are delighted to celebrate the tenth anniversary of our collaboration with Maynooth University, which is focused on ensuring that our graduates have the necessary knowledge and mentoring to pursue successful careers in the funds sector and to make a meaningful contribution to ensuring that we preserve and enhance Ireland's reputation as an international leader in financial services and as a leading international fund domicile."

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 €5 trillion mark.  Matheson's funds law practice has been ranked by the Monterey Insight Ireland Fund Report, the leading independent industry survey, as Ireland's leading practice by assets under management for twelve years in a row.

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Matheson partner, Liz Grace, who wrote and designed the course, said, “The availability of a skilled workforce is a key factor for international companies considering locating in Ireland.  Having senior female leaders as part of a diverse pool of experts mentoring and developing our graduates in their transition from the campus to the offices is essential if we are to establish gender diversity as a competitive advantage for the Irish international financial services sector."

Head of the School of Law and Criminology at Maynooth University, Dr Fergus Ryan, said: “It is wonderful to mark the 10th anniversary of the Funds Law module, a vital collaboration between Matheson and Maynooth University. This module underlines the particular strengths of Law and Criminology at Maynooth - innovation, dynamic industry partnerships, and opportunities for our students. We greatly value the fantastic support we've had from Matheson over many years, particularly in establishing and delivering the Funds Law module.  Our enthusiastic appreciation goes out to Matheson, and to Liz, Tara, and Brónagh for their support and huge commitment to the module. Many congratulations to Alanna and Jordan on their great successes!”