The business of law is changing, and we want you to be right there with it. To take us from largest to leading, we’re looking for our trainees to think big and see the future of law in a new way.

Our 2026 Dublin Trainee Solicitor Programme is designed to equip you with the skills required to be the lawyer of the future, now.

Alongside market leading support and development, you’ll have the chance to put knowledge into action and start building your legal career from day one.

Our Dublin Trainee Solicitor Programme provides a comprehensive and structured pathway into the legal profession, designed to equip aspiring solicitors with the skills, knowledge, and experience required for a successful legal career. The programme includes seat rotations across different practice areas, tailored elective training, and comprehensive support throughout your training period.

Beginning in September 2026, you will enrol in the Professional Practice Course (PPC) on a full-time basis at Blackhall Place, the Law Society of Ireland’s training centre. This course delivers essential practical training in areas such as advocacy, negotiation, client care, and legal research – equipping you with the practical skills necessary for your future legal career.

Upon successful completion of the PPC, you will join Dentons’ Dublin office for your in-office training period. During this time, you will rotate through four different practice areas, each lasting approximately six months. These rotations will expose you to different areas of law such as Corporate, Litigation, Real Estate, and Banking & Finance, allowing you to gain hands-on experience and develop a broad understanding of the legal landscape. You will work closely with experienced solicitors and partners, receive regular feedback, and benefit from a dedicated supervisor to support your professional development. With the successful completion of all required stages, you will be on track to qualify as a solicitor in 2029 and take part in our Newly Qualified selection process.

There will also be opportunities to undertake international or client secondments, subject to business needs, your performance, and eligibility criteria. These secondments offer valuable exposure to cross-border matters and client-facing work, further enriching your training experience.

Following a detailed induction, each seat comes with bespoke training and development, to give you the tools to succeed.

Alongside this trainee specific training, you’ll have access to our market leading programme of development sessions, and our online suite of virtual training courses. Whether you’d like a refresher on the basics, fine tune your networking skills, build your personal brand or improve your efficiency at work, there will be a course for you.

Our talent team will be with you throughout, helping you think of the bigger picture when it comes to your career.

Support is something that underpins your experience throughout your Trainee Solicitor Programme at Dentons.

You will have a dedicated supervisor for each seat, who will be a constant point of guidance, helping you define your career.

You will also have support from your trainee peers, who are encouraged to become active members of our diversity networks, social committee and Pro Bono teams, forging strong professional networks right across the firm.

Finally, our award-winning Early Careers team will also always be available to you, to discuss everything from seat moves and secondments, to trainee social events.

• FE1 and PPC Fees
• Life assurance
• Health and dental insurance
• Wellbeing contribution
• 24 annual leave days
• Pension scheme
• Income protection
• Access to well-being resources
• Dublin first year trainee salary €45,000

Eligibility

Our 2026 Dublin Trainee Solicitor Programme is open to applicants from all degree disciplines who have already completed all FE1 examinations or are in the process of completing them and will receive their results by May 2026. This means all FE1 examinations will need to be completed by the last sitting in March 2026.

The starting date for this role is September 2026.

The Final Examination (FE-1) is the entrance examination to the Law Society of Ireland. It is held twice a year, normally in spring and autumn and consists of eight papers on core legal subjects. Please visit the Law Society of Ireland website for full details.

We are looking for candidates with

• Strong academic performance in your Irish Leaving Certificate (at least 480 points) or equivalent post -16 education.

• 2:1 or higher in your undergraduate degree.

These are broad guidelines, and all interested candidates are encouraged to apply. We review every application holistically and consider all aspects of a candidate’s experience and background.

Application Window

Applications are now open and close on 22 October 2025. To access the application form, please click the ‘Apply‘ button on the top bar.

Please review our FAQs before you start your application.

Not ready to apply to the direct Trainee Solicitor Programme just yet? Register your interest here for our Dublin Insight Event taking place in October 2025 at our Dublin office. This event will provide you with an insight into Dentons through interactions with our Partners, Associates, Trainees and Early Careers Team. Or have a look at our Dublin Summer Vacation Scheme for a two-week work experience at our Dublin office.

In the meantime, sign up to Dentons.Next Talent to gain exclusive access to webinars, workshops and receive reminders of future events and opportunities.

My experience at the Dentons Dublin office has been incredibly positive so far. I settled in quickly thanks to the friendly and approachable nature of everyone in the office, which made the transition seamless. I’ve also had the opportunity to be involved in significant transactions and have been trusted with meaningful responsibilities early on. This has reinforced my belief that choosing Dentons for my training contract was absolutely the right decision!

 I chose to apply to Dentons because I was drawn to the opportunity of working within a large, international law firm that provides a truly global platform. Being able to collaborate with colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds was something I highly valued. Additionally, I was attracted to Dentons for its reputation of having some of the most respected professionals in the industry. The prospect of learning from and growing alongside these accomplished individuals was a key factor in my decision.

My favourite thing about the Dublin office is how approachable everyone is. As a trainee, it’s natural to have plenty of questions, and here, I feel comfortable asking anyone – whether it’s a paralegal, fellow trainee, or partner – without feeling like I am bothering them or taking up too much of their time. There’s a genuine sense of support and openness. On top of that, we’re fortunate to work in a stunning office in a fantastic location on Kildare Street, which adds to the overall experience.