Dentons |

We're the world's largest global law firm. That's more than 12,500 people across 80+ countries.

The legal profession is evolving fast, and we're at the front of it, delivering consistent, high-quality, innovative solutions as our clients' needs change. We go looking for new solutions, and we hold the same standard of value and quality across everything we do.

Our vision is to be the law firm of the future, today. With a strategy built on growth, integration and reinvention, we're setting out to reshape the legal profession. Join us and you'll have the opportunity to play your part in that future, contributing to the ideas, work and innovation shaping the next generation of legal practice.

Main areas of work

Our work is broad, international and tied closely to the way the world is changing. As a trainee, you'll explore that variety seat by seat, building your confidence, commercial awareness and legal skills as you go.

You'll work on the legal questions behind business; spanning finance, real estate, infrastructure, employment, and technology, as well as advice on regulation and disputes. Across our practices, you'll develop your understanding on how lawyers help clients make decisions, manage risk, solve problems and move ambitious plans forward.

What you do outside your day-to-day work matters too. We know that a positive, inclusive and supportive environment is fundamental to how our people succeed. We invest in wellbeing, inclusion, sustainability and the chance to make a difference, which lets everyone perform at their best, keep building their skills and grow rewarding, long-term careers.

Ireland – our Dublin office 

Since launching in 2020, our Dublin office has brought a dynamic, innovative and truly international approach to the Irish legal market. We're always looking for new ways to serve our clients and challenge traditional legal practice, giving you the opportunity to work on complex, high-profile domestic and cross-border matters while helping shape what's next.

From your first day, you'll take on real responsibility and gain direct client exposure. We'll encourage you to think creatively, question established ways of doing things and bring your own perspective to the challenges our clients face. 

Continuous learning and development are integral to our culture, giving you the opportunity to learn alongside some of the most respected professionals in the industry. It's an approach that helped earn us the title of Dublin Law Firm of the Year in 2024.

If you're an aspiring commercial lawyer looking to make an impact in a global law firm from day one, we can offer you the chance to learn from exceptional people, contribute to work that shapes industries and build a career with real purpose. This is a place where your ambition is supported, your potential is nurtured and what you bring has the opportunity to matter.

We generally look for a strong academic performance but consider every application we receive in context and holistically. We also encourage you to include mitigating circumstances if relevant.

We also use the Rare Contextual Recruitment System to give us additional context when considering each candidate's application.

Make your contribution matter from day one. Start at the world's largest global law firm, where innovation, collaboration and commercial thinking go hand in hand. Over our two-year Trainee Solicitor Programme, you'll work on complex matters spanning jurisdictions, industries and legal disciplines, building the skills and confidence to shape the future of legal services.

From your first day, you'll take on real responsibility, contributing to high-quality client work while developing the legal expertise, commercial judgement and confidence to thrive.

Through four six-month seats, you'll build experience across a range of practice areas, working on complex, cross-border matters for leading global clients alongside colleagues who are experts in their field. Each seat broadens your experience, deepens your sector knowledge and sharpens your understanding of the commercial issues shaping our clients' industries. Structured training, regular feedback and ongoing support run throughout, helping you develop your technical expertise and professional skills.

As the legal profession evolves, you'll also experience the innovative ways we deliver legal services, including the AI and legal technology we use to solve complex client challenges.

We're proud to work closely with our clients. As a trainee, you'll have the opportunity to apply for a client secondment, giving you first-hand insight into client organisations, different sectors and ways of working, while expanding your professional network.

Alongside your legal work, you'll become part of our wider firm community through networking events, social activities, pro bono opportunities and client initiatives. We're committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, and you'll have opportunities to get involved in our inclusion networks and initiatives throughout your training.

Completing a Vacation Scheme with us is the only way to be considered for a 2029 Training Contract in our Dublin office.

Study Support 

We want you to be able to focus on building the skills you need for your future career.

If you accept our offer for the Dublin Trainee Solicitor Programme, we'll retrospectively reimburse a total of eight exams per candidate, which includes one sitting per subject. We'll pay for all first-attempt exams and course fees associated with the Professional Practice Courses, and we'll also support you with your PPC application and fees.

Two weeks. Real experience. The chance to make your next step matter. 

Our Vacation Scheme is more than a chance to see what life at Dentons is like. It's an opportunity to get involved, make a genuine contribution and discover what matters to you as you take your next step towards a career in commercial law.

From the start you'll become part of one of our practice areas, working alongside your supervisor and team on real client work and challenging tasks. You'll build your commercial awareness and legal knowledge through interactive training sessions and Lunch & Learns with teams including Responsible Business, Talent Development and Pro Bono. And through firm-wide networking and social events, you'll meet the people who make Dentons what it is.

By the end of the scheme, you'll have built valuable relationships, developed your skills and confidence and gained a real understanding of what a career with us could look like. We'll also be assessing you for our Trainee Solicitor Programme throughout, with your performance over the two weeks and a final reflective interview forming part of the assessment process.

Make your experience matter.

Our next Dublin Vacation Scheme runs in Summer 2027. For more information please visit our website.

Make your first step matter. Experience Dentons is our innovative virtual work experience programme, designed to give you a first-hand insight into life as a commercial solicitor at the world's largest global law firm. You'll explore commercial law, develop practical skills and discover how our lawyers help clients navigate complex challenges.

You'll start with an introduction to law, the commercial world and Dentons, before working through a series of interactive tasks based on our key practice areas. Along the way, you'll develop your technical knowledge and commercial awareness, build your confidence and get a better understanding of where a career in commercial law could take you.

By the end of the programme, you'll have completed a range of practical activities, developed your understanding of commercial law and earned a certificate to add to your LinkedIn profile and future applications.

And because we believe everyone should have the opportunity to explore whether a career in law is right for them, Experience Dentons is open to everyone aged 16 and over. There's no application process, no deadline and no previous legal experience required.

The programme contains five days' worth of tasks that you can complete at your own pace.

Ready to make your first step matter? Register here.

Next.Talent

Make every step matter. Next.Talent is our Early Careers community for students and graduates who want to learn more about commercial law and life with us.

As a member, you'll gain access to exclusive events, webinars and insights from our Early Careers team, trainees and lawyers, alongside practical guidance on applications, interviews and assessment centres. You'll also be among the first to hear about open days, vacation schemes and trainee solicitor opportunities.

Whether you're just starting to explore a career in law or preparing to apply, Next.Talent is designed to build your confidence, expand your network and make every step towards your future matter. Register here.

We know that people do their best work when they feel supported, included and able to be themselves. That's why we invest in wellbeing, inclusion and sustainability, creating an environment where you can thrive, keep developing your skills and build a rewarding, long-term career.

Inclusion and diversity are central to our strategy because different perspectives, experiences and ideas help us deliver better outcomes for our clients, our communities and each other. Through allyship, access programmes and events focused on equity and inclusion, we're working to create a culture where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.

Our inclusion networks are an important part of that culture: GLOW (LGBTQ+), Fusion (Asian Professionals), BPN (Black Professionals), Inspire (Gender Equality) and AccessAbility (people with disabilities). Many of our trainees and solicitor apprentices play active roles in them, including as co-chairs or committee members, which is a chance to build relationships, develop leadership skills and help deliver initiatives such as Pride celebrations and our annual Black History Month networking event.

We're committed to an environment where people can be themselves, where wellbeing comes first, and where everyone is supported to work in a sustainable and rewarding way.

We have more than 55 trained Mental Health First Aiders across our UK, Ireland and Middle East offices, including several early careers colleagues. Our Wellbeing Action Group also drives wellbeing initiatives throughout the year, with early careers colleagues playing a key role in marking important wellbeing and mental health awareness events. Because building a career that matters starts with being somewhere you can thrive.