Summer Internship Programme Q&A 2026

Tom Heron
Hi, my name is Tom. I’m a trainee at Arthur Cox in the Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Investigations Group.

Anu Leary
Hi, I’m Anu. I’m currently in the Corporate and M&A Group, and I did the Summer Intern Programme in 2022.

Tom Heron
When I was applying for the Summer Intern Programme, I remember finding the application process really straightforward. I appreciated being able to write a free‑form cover letter instead of completing an online application, because it meant I could focus on the parts of my application that I really wanted to emphasise the experience I had that I felt made me a strong candidate, and the reasons I was genuinely interested in completing the programme. I think it’s important to research the firm and reflect this in your application.

Anu Leary
That can really help you stand out. As well as highlighting any legal experience you have, including personal experiences such as hobbies, sports, or part‑time jobs can demonstrate valuable skills and make your application stronger overall.

Tom Heron
As an intern, I became really involved in the work of the group and properly embedded into the team. I spent a lot of time with my trainee and associate mentors, assisting them with the work they were doing. That could mean helping with drafting transaction documents or attending client meetings. At the same time, there were also plenty of social events in the evenings organised for us, so we could meet up and get to know each other outside the office.

Anu Leary
I think there’s a genuine open‑door policy and a real emphasis on collaboration. You can ask anyone for advice or help, and your input is genuinely valued, which I found pleasantly surprising.

Tom Heron
Overall, one of my favourite aspects of the programme was working with the team here, getting to know the people, seeing the work they did, and realising that this was the career I truly wanted. At the end of the programme, I was delighted to be invited back as a trainee.

Anu Leary
What stood out to me was the structured training programmes. We had the opportunity to learn from different professionals across the firm about various practice areas. On top of that, the social events were fantastic, there was something organised each week, giving us the chance to network with all the other interns.