Ex-St Finian’s student wins coveted law internship
A young Mullingar graduate, Aidan Leahy, has been awarded a six-month internship in the Asset Management and Investment Funds Department at Matheson, one of Ireland’s leading law firms.
Aidan, a former student of St Finian’s, received the internship award on the basis of his results on the Funds Law module of the Maynooth University LLM in International Business Law and a competitive interview process.
The specialised Funds Law course was co-ordinated and delivered this year by another Mullingar native, Brónagh Maher, who is a visiting lecturer in law at Maynooth University and Head of Matheson’s Asset Management Knowledge Team.
Brónagh studied at Mullingar Community College (where her father, John Maher, was principal for 25 years) before going on to be called to the Bar of Ireland in 2002.
Speaking at a special event at Maynooth University’s campus to honour Aidan and his fellow award recipients, Tai Ogunde (Drogheda) and Sofia Vdovichenko (Dublin), Aidan said: “Being awarded the internship in the Asset Management Group at Matheson is an amazing opportunity. One of the main influences for pursuing my masters in Maynooth University was its innovative partnership with an industry leader such as Matheson.
“The funds law course allowed me to gain invaluable practical knowledge in an area of law that most students don’t get exposed to, as this was the first university level funds law course offered in Ireland.
“The funds industry is a thriving sector of the Irish economy, with Matheson at the forefront in providing legal services in this area. I now have the opportunity to learn from some of the top funds lawyers in the industry as a result of the internship.
“It was a competitive process that involved a lot of hard work but I enjoyed every minute of it and I am looking forward to working at the firm.”
Congratulating Aidan and his classmates on their achievements to date, Brónagh said: “It was a pleasure to teach Aidan, Tai and Sofia and I am proud of their achievements on the course.
“The innovative partnership of academia and practice represented by the Funds Law course affords students an invaluable opportunity to gain a real insight into the Irish funds industry and to gain specialist legal knowledge in an area with excellent employment prospects.
“Research shows that a skilled workforce is a key factor in attracting foreign direct investment and this course provides students with the essential specialist skills required by international companies choosing to locate in Ireland.”
Matheson first partnered with Maynooth University Department of Law in 2013 to deliver 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 law firm.
The Irish funds industry directly employs over 16,000 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 €4 trillion mark. Matheson acts for funds with 30% Irish market share of assets under management.
Tara Doyle, head of Investment Fund at Mathesons said, “Matheson is delighted to acknowledge the achievements of Tai, Aidan and Sofia on the Funds Law course, and to offer the opportunity to Maynooth University students to work in a thriving sector of Ireland’s economy.
“Ireland is an international leader in financial services and continues to stand out as a leading international fund domicile.
“It is increasingly important that Ireland exhibits its strengths internationally, particularly in a post-Brexit world in which many UK-based financial services companies are moving some of their operations abroad.”