Graduate Law Mentorship Programme 2020/ 2021 Launch

The DCU School of Law and Government proudly hosted a virtual opening ceremony last week for the launch of the 2020/ 2021 Graduate Law Mentorship Programme – Ireland’s only mentorship programme for law graduates.

This unique initiative, which was established in 2018, is organised by DCU’s School of Law and Government, Alumni Relations Office and the Careers Service. It has grown significantly over the past three years and includes graduates from the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL), Economics, Politics and Law (EPL), Joint Honours (JH) and Masters of Law (LLM) degrees. This year over 150 law graduates will participate.

Based on the ‘3 cups of coffee’ programme, it requires mentors and mentees to meet on at least three separate occasions over a seven-month period. It aims to establish a graduate network of support between mentors and mentees, to provide encouragement and practical advice on various aspects of the legal profession, including the pathway to qualifying as a solicitor/ barrister (and Blackhall Place and King’s Inns entrance exams), as well as providing insights as to alternative employment opportunities and options for law graduates. For mentors, the programme enables a rewarding experience of giving back, as well as self- reflection on their own career and professional development journeys. 

In addition to mentorship, the programme also facilitates various networking opportunities among DCU graduates and within the wider legal profession. Participants are invited to a number of social, professional and career development events throughout the course of the programme. By providing such valuable networking opportunities for candidates, the programme further builds an engaged and interactive law alumni community.

In the current circumstances of COVID- 19, the programme will take place in a virtual format this year, and participants are invited to liaise with each other via Zoom, Skype or other online platforms. The virtual environment will offer further flexibility and has enabled graduates from various countries to participate in the programme.

The Opening Ceremony, which took place via Zoom, provided mentorship training and guidelines on the programme. Mentors and mentees also had the opportunity to meet and network in breakout rooms. On completion, there will be a Closing Ceremony in April 2021 to celebrate the programme, during which time mentors and mentees will report on their experience and provide feedback to further enhance the programme. Prizes for the Mentor and Mentee of the Year will also be announced.

Dr. Aisling de Paor, Associate Professor of Law at the School of Law & Government:

“The programme has been a wonderful success in building an engaged, active and unique law alumni community at DCU and we are very proud of all of our graduates who are taking part.”

Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Professor Daire Keogh, President of DCU, said:

“Universities everywhere aspire to be 'communities of learning' - that ambition is epitomised in the Graduate Law Mentorship Programme at DCU.  It exemplifies the university community at its best; staff, graduates, and students, supporting each other, signposting opportunities, and sharing insights.  I am very grateful to our graduates for their commitment to this programme, and I am confident that their mentorship will enable our students to flourish.”