who_we_are
Seán Ó Loingsigh
- B.C.L. (International), University College Dublin (2006)
- LL.M. (International Legal Studies), New York University School of Law (2007)
- New York Bar (2007)
My legal career began in UCD in 2002, where I was active in the Students' Union, Athletics Club and Formula One Society. I spent the third year of my degree studying at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago. After completing the academic year at DePaul, I interned at a Chicago law firm for the summer, where I worked primarily on civil rights litigation. On returning to Dublin, I attended the presentations of the various firms and was most impressed by both the people I met from Arthur Cox and the opportunities the firm offers trainees, including secondments with clients and a bursary to pursue further education.
My experience of American law school, combined with a keen interest in International Law, lead me to apply for admission to the graduate programme at NYU Law. The Trainee Committee was most encouraging in this regard and agreed to defer the start date of my traineeship. The year at NYU was one of the most challenging and enjoyable experiences of my life, bringing me into contact with leading academics and giving me exposure to a broad range of subjects, including Admiralty, International Environmental Law and U.S. Constitutional Law. Living and studying in the heart of Greenwich Village was an unforgettable experience and I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone considering a course of postgraduate study. I graduated in May 2007 and remained in New York for the summer, attending bar review classes and sitting the bar exam in July 2007.
After passing the FE1 examinations in April 2008, I commenced the first rotation of my traineeship in the Financial Services Group. While I was apprehensive about working in an area in which I had no previous experience, the firm organises weekly seminars for trainees on the work involved in each practice group. The Financial Services Group advises on all aspects of establishing and managing internationally marketed funds. During my rotation I drafted and revised contracts, prepared documents for filing with the Financial Regulator and the Irish Stock Exchange, organised board meetings of funds and liaised with clients. The skills I have learned are easily transferable to other areas and will be of immense benefit in my future rotations. Though I have only been in the firm a short time, I have found it easy to get involved in the organised social activities, which include weekly five-a-side soccer, tag rugby and golf lessons as well as the summer barbecue, which takes place in the grounds of the Law Society.
