Law

Careers in the legal sector are fiercely competitive, and a law degree does not mean that you walk into a career in the legal profession. The Law Society oversees the professional training and certification of solicitors, while the Honorable Society of King’s Inns oversees the education of barristers in Ireland. Newly qualified solicitors usually start as a junior in an established private practice, while new barristers spend a period devilling with an experienced barrister before branching out on their own. A general law degree also opens many doors in careers such as politics, journalism, lecturing, banking, stock-broking, teaching, property management, and there are opportunities in the public service, insurance and taxation sectors.

Law can be a financially rewarding profession, but it can sometimes take years before you are earning big bucks. Newly qualified solicitors usually start as a junior in an established private practice, while new barristers spend a period devilling with an experienced barrister before branching out on their own. Assistant solicitors can earn well in excess of 30,000 per annum, while salaried partners in a firm typically make €63,500 or more. Six-figure salaries are common. Barristers have the capacity to command even higher salaries, although as barristers are self-employed there are no guarantees, and while junior barristers are building their reputation, they may have to supplement their income by other means such as teaching or journalism.

Legal secretaries can find work in many areas – law firms, barristers’ chambers, government legal departments, financial institutions and other private companies. Opportunities often exist to become a law clerk by studying part-time.

Court reporters are often employed by firms who are contracted to record court proceedings, although the opportunity also exists to work as a freelance. Other scenarios that require a court reporter’s unique skills are tribunals (plenty of work these days!) and public enquiries. Court reporters with another language will often find work abroad. Law clerks can find employment in the public (local authorities) and private sectors (large law firms, commercial companies). Many law clerks use their experience to train as solicitors.

Qualified workers with experience in these careers can expect to earn around €28,000+ a year.
The lack of career progression opportunities in the role of court reporter compared to the other jobs is made a little less relevant when you hear the highest earners can make over €100,000 a year!

TDs in Ireland are among the best-paid politicians in the world (we also have one of the highest ratios for politicians per head of population), they earn a basic pay of at least a €100,000 a year.
Political researchers earn around €26,000 to €32,000 a year.

Job roles in this area include the following:

Barrister
Solicitor
Legal Secretary
Law Clerk
Court Clerk
Court Reporter
Legal Secretary
Councillor
TD (Teachta Dála)
MEP (Member of European Parliament)
Political Researcher

Further Resources

Office of the Houses of the Oireachtas
Leinster House
Dublin 2
Tel: 01 618 3000
Web: www.oireachtas.ie
Web: www.irlgov.ie

Law Society of Ireland
Blackhall Place
Dublin 7
Phone: 01 672 4800
Web: www.lawsociety.ie
Email: general@lawsociety.ie

King's Inns,
Henrietta Street
Dublin 1
Phone: 01 874 4840
Web: www.kingsinns.ie
Email: info@kingsinns.ie

Irish Centre for Human Rights
NUI Galway
University Road
Co Galway
Tel: 091 493 948
Web: www.nuigalway.ie/human_rights/index.html
Email: humanrights@nuigalway.ie

The Courts Service
15/24 Phoenix Street North
Smithfield
Dublin 7
Tel: 01 888 6000
Web: www.courts.ie

The Bar Council
Four Courts
Dublin 7
Tel: 01 817 5000
Web: www.lawlibrary.ie
Email: barcouncil@lawlibrary.ie