Callaghan Kennedy

Degree subject BA History, Princeton University (2005); AITI - Part 2, Irish Taxation Institute (2010)
Job title Trainee Solicitor
Employer Maples and Calder

My father and brother are both barristers so I grew up with law around the dinner table. Solicitors are sometimes seen as administrators while barristers are the rock stars of the profession. Actually it's the solicitors who do the first analysis of legislation – we're the people who interpret the law.

Having spent two years working overseas after college I returned to Ireland and studied for my FE1 exams. Like most recent graduates I applied to a wide range of firms, but my primary interest was in the commercial practices in Dublin.

After submitting an application to Maples, I was called for interview. The first interview, with senior associates, felt like an informal discussion but the second was quite different. I was encouraged to thoroughly question the interviewers who were both senior partners. It threw me a little to begin with, but it quickly developed into a natural flowing conversation and I was impressed by the way the partners spoke about the firm, in particular its open and collegiate culture.

I am now two thirds of the way through my training contract and am currently working with our tax group. It's a big change from my last rotation with the funds team in our Cayman Islands office. This was a great experience and helped me to develop both personally and professionally.

As the practice groups at my firm are structured in smaller, efficient teams I have quickly become part of the tax team. I’ve discovered that when you work very closely with senior people, issues with seniority or deference abate. At the moment we're advising on the tax side of a corporate acquisition. I'll attend conference calls, draft minutes and corporate documents, and review the tax implications for the buyer. On top of this I'm researching a number of issues for different members of the team. The variety here is exciting and I'm learning all the time.

Job hunting tips

It can be hard to differentiate between firms from the outside, so talk to people who work at the practices you're interested in; try to get a sense of the culture of the firm to find the right 'fit' for you. A large part of getting a job will depend on the impression the interviewers form of you, so if you can demonstrate natural enthusiasm for the role it should serve you well.

Callaghan Kennedy was interviewed for gradireland Law 2012.