The Dublin City University (DCU) mentorship programme for law graduates will move to a remote format this year.

The unique initiative, which was established in 2018, is jointly organised by DCU’s School of Law and Government, Alumni Relations Office and the Careers Service.

LLM

The programme 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 in the programme, which is based on ‘three cups of coffee’ and requires mentors and mentees to meet on at least three separate occasions over a seven-month period.

The set-up offers a graduate support network, 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).

Alumni community

The programme also provides insights as to alternative employment opportunities and options for law graduates and facilitates various networking opportunities to build an engaged and interactive law alumni community.

The 2020/2021 session begins with a virtual opening ceremony and information session this month.

A closing ceremony will take place in April 2021, with prizes awarded to the best mentor and mentee.

“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,” said Dr Aisling de Paor, Associate Professor of Law at the School of Law and Government.

DCU President Professor Daire Keogh 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.”