Skills Programme for UCD Law Students Set for Success 2024
Introduction
Set for Success is a six weeks Employer-led Skills Programme for Law Students providing workshops which give an insight into the skills that employers are seeking in the legal sector.
These specialised skills workshops help students build their professional skills which are required across all sectors.
Each 1- hour interactive workshop will give the students the opportunity to meet employers while also learning about skills including, developing Commercial Awareness along with understanding the skill of Networking and Legal Communication Skills.
Course Description Aim
To develop well-informed and skilled legal graduates who can compete effectively in both the workplace and within graduate recruitment, as well as making informed decisions about their future career.
Learning Outcomes
Through completing this programme students will be able to:
Identify key skills/competencies required for success in the workplace
Evaluate their own skills /competencies and reflect on their strengths and development areas
Develop the strengths/skills/competencies which they feel less confident about
Effectively articulate and evidence their strengths/skills/competencies in their C.V. and at interview
Teaching Methods
Each session will be delivered by representatives from key UCD employers. Although aspects of the course will be taught in a traditional lecture type format, for the most part the sessions will be participative and will utilize interactive exercises where appropriate.
Attendance and Assignment
As this course addresses personal and career development, it is in students’ best interests to attend all seven sessions.
Students will need to attend a minimum of four sessions (& complete the related reflective assignment) to be eligible for the certificate in Set For Success. Following completion of the Set For Success programme, students can also use this certificate toward the UCD Advantage Award. The UCD Advantage Award is your chance to get recognition from UCD for skills, knowledge and experience that you have gained through participation in co-curricular activities.
The reflective assignment report must be submitted before Friday 13th December. Students can access the reflective assignment via this link. Once they have completed a minimum of 4 reflections, they can then download their report and email it to leona.barry@ucd.ie
Certificate and Set For Success
Only students who attend a minimum of four of the six sessions, as well as completing the related assignment will qualify for the Certificate in Set For Success. The Set For Success Skills Programme for Law students, is a certified cocurricular activity, recognised for the UCD Advantage Award for UCD Students.
UCD Advantage Award
Following completion of the Set For Success programme, students can also use this certificate toward the UCD Advantage Award. The UCD Advantage Award is your chance to get recognition from UCD for skills, knowledge and experience that you have gained through participation in co-curricular activities
Additional Information
For registration or additional information you can visit our website or email us at careers@ucd.ie
The sessions will be taking place in L013 The Moot Court, which is in The Sutherland School of Law located on the UCD Belfield Campus.
“Synergy in Law: Mastering Teamwork and Networking”
Presented by Kate Honan, McCann FitzGerald
Week 1: 25th September, 2024
Company Overview
With over 600 people, including 400 lawyers and professional staff, McCann FitzGerald LLP is one of Ireland’s premier law firms. We are consistently recognised as being the market leader in many practice areas and offer a full range of services to corporate, financial service and industrial companies. McCann FitzGerald LLP’s clients include international organisations, major domestic concerns and emerging Irish companies. We also work with many clients in the state and semi-state sectors Our principal office is located in Dublin and we have overseas offices in London, New York and Brussels
Topic Session: Synergy in Law: Mastering Teamwork and Networking
Effective teamwork enhances communication ensuring that legal strategies are cohesive and deadlines are met efficiently. Additionally teamwork fosters a supportive environment, allowing legal professionals to support each other to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
Format of Session
Presentation and Q&A
Learning Outcomes
Enhancing Collaborative Skills: Participants will develop advanced teamwork skills, learning how to effectively collaborate with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders.
Building Professional Networks: Attendees will learn strategies for building and maintaining a robust professional network.
Improving Communication and Leadership: Participants will enhance their communication and leadership skills, crucial for leading teams and managing projects. This includes effective communication techniques, active listening, and the ability to inspire and motivate team members.
Strengthen your legal skills and knowledge
Build your commercial awareness
Develop your Client Focus
Broaden and deepen your network
Lead from any chair
“Future-Proof Your Legal Career: Embracing Technology in Law Practice”
Presented by Eoghan Kenny, A&L Goodbody
Week 2: 9th October, 2024
Company Overview
A&L Goodbody is internationally recognised as one of Ireland's largest and most successful law firms, with an extensive and top-class client list. We offer breadth and depth of experience across every facet of business law, providing the full range of specialist services across the island of Ireland.
We also have an international outlook, with offices in Dublin, Belfast, London, New York and San Francisco
Our approach is simple. We focus on delivering for our clients, developing brilliant people who enjoy what they do, having a keen insight into our markets and being a responsible business. Our ambition is to always be a step ahead – for our clients, our people and our community.
Topic Session: “Future-Proof Your Legal Career: Embracing Technology in Law Practice”
We are at the forefront of integrating AI technology into our business operations. Evolving challenges that would have been unimaginable not long ago, now require strategic investment in next generation of AI technology. Through these investments we are actively shaping the future of legal service delivery to meet our client needs
Format of Session
Presentation and Q&A
Learning Outcomes
Understanding Key Legal Technologies: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the latest technologies transforming the legal landscape, such as artificial intelligence. They will learn how these technologies can enhance efficiency, accuracy, and client service in legal practice.
Developing Technological Competence: Attendees will develop practical skills in using this legal tech tool and platform.
Navigating Ethical and Professional Challenges: Participants will explore the ethical implications and professional responsibilities associated with the use of technology in law.
“The art of Persuasion - Enhancing Legal communication Skills”
Presented
by Declan Black, Mason Hayes & Curran
Week 3: 16th October, 2024
Company Overview
Mason Hayes & Curran is a leading Irish law firm with offices in London, New York and San Fransisco We are an Irish business law firm with 120 partners and total staff in excess of 600. We understand the challenges domestic and international organisations face in business. Our legal services are grounded in deep expertise and informed by practical experience.
At MHC, we believe that your traineeship is a pivotal time in your career. Our trainees are trusted members of the team, working closely with partners and solicitors and contributing to the firm’s success. Our graduate opportunities (including our student placement programme and our internship programme) are a great way for you to experience what life is like as an MHC trainee.
Topic Session: “The art of Persuasion - Enhancing Legal communication Skills”
The practice of law is the practice of persuasion. In contentious matters, you try to persuade the court of your client’s view. You try to persuade the other side to settle You try to persuade your own client to settle, or not to settle, depending on what’s on offer, their objectives and the risks. In non-contentious matters, you try to persuade counterparties to agree to your client’s terms or, again, persuade your client to agree or not to agree, to other parties’ terms depending on their objectives and risks.
Format of Session
Presentation and Q&A
Learning Outcomes
This session will enable students to:
Hopefully understand some key principles of the art of persuasion
“Precision in Practice: Developing Attention to Detail for students”
Presented by Edel Curry, Arthur Cox
Company Overview
Arthur Cox LLP is one of Ireland’s leading law firms. We are an “all-island” firm with offices in Dublin and Belfast. We also have offices in London, New York, and San Francisco. Our practice encompasses all aspects of corporate and business law.
Topic Session: “Precision in Practice: Developing Attention to Detail”
Precision is the bedrock of excellent legal work. The development of strong attention to detail skills is key to success for lawyers and our clients.
Format of Session
In this workshop participants will grow their understanding of the importance of precision in practice and learn strategies to develop their attention to detail skills by reference to practical scenarios and exercises
Learning Outcomes
This session will enable students to:
Cultivate a detail-oriented mindset: Participants will understand the importance of a detail-oriented approach in their legal career. They will learn strategies to cultivate this mindset, such as setting up effective organisational systems to enhance focus and attention to detail and practising good time management skills.
Enhance their Analytical Skills: Participants will learn to meticulously analyse information and identify key details. This includes developing the ability to spot inconsistencies and errors.
Improve the Accuracy of their Work: Participants will learn practical techniques to ensure the accuracy of their work. This involves learning methods for double-checking facts, cross-referencing sources, and maintaining high standards of precision.
Week 4: 23rd October, 2024 See reflective assignment
“Advocacy
and Influence: Developing Leadership Skills”
Presented by Paul C McCarthy SC, The Bar of Ireland
Week 5: 13th November, 2024
Company Overview
The Bar of Ireland is the representative body for independent barristers in Ireland. Barristers provide specialist advocacy and advisory services in a wide variety of areas and in many different types of forum, including the courtroom, and in other dispute resolution forums such as arbitration and mediation. Barristers are trained to be both independent and objective.
Topic Session: “Advocacy and Influence: Developing Leadership Skills”
Personal advancement in any organisation is likely to be enhanced by an appreciation of the influence of effective advocacy. Organisations whose employees or members understand the role of effective advocacy in the workplace are likely to benefit from that skillset
Format of Session Workshop and Q&A
Learning Outcomes
Recognise the close relationship between advocacy and leadership; Develop their personal style of advocacy.
“Thinking
outside the Brief: Creative Problem Solving Techniques”
Presented by Eadaoin Rock, General Counsel and Louise Gallagher, Joint Head Enforcement Investigations, Central Bank of Ireland
Week 6: 20th November, 2024
Company Overview
The Central Bank of Ireland serves the public interest by safeguarding monetary and financial stability and by working to ensure that the financial system operates in the best interests of consumers and the wider economy.
Topic Session: “Thinking outside the Brief: Creative Problem Solving Techniques”
It is vitally important to be able to create solutions beyond the obvious whether you are a lawyer or in all walks of business life. The ability to be agile in your thinking and lateral in your responses is an important skill to have. The answer is never linear.
Format of Session
We will give short intros of our professional experience with sample stories on how we have, through our work, solved problems by thinking outside the brief. We are going to produce a short case study for the students based on what would come across both our desks and we might workshop out the responses through discussion either in teams or individually depending on how large the group is.
Learning Outcomes
Generating Innovative Solutions: Participants will learn various creative problem-solving techniques and learn how to apply these techniques to generate innovative solutions to complex legal problems. Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills: Attendees will develop their critical thinking abilities by learning how to define problems clearly, gather relevant information, and assess alternative solutions. This will enable them to approach legal challenges with a more analytical and creative mindset. Applying Creative Thinking in Legal Contexts: Participants will understand how to integrate creative thinking into their legal practice.
