What were you doing before the MCL?
I completed my undergraduate law degree at University College Cork, Ireland. I developed my interest in corporate law having undertaken internships at international law firms in Ireland and in Shanghai, China. Company law also appealed to me from an academic perspective, which piqued my interest in the MCL. Prior to joining the MCL, I worked in KPMG as a banking analyst and completed the Irish Law Society’s entrance exams. I was extensively involved in university debating, having represented Ireland at the World and European Debating Championships.
What were your impressions of the MCL?
The MCL program gives you a practical perspective on the practice areas of major international law firms, while maintaining the academic rigour that one expects at Cambridge. In particular, the Deals course provides an unparalleled insight into how corporate lawyers handle different types of transactions, from venture capital deals to public-to-private takeovers. This course is unlike anything that one would study as an undergraduate and as a result, it gives MCL graduates a significant advantage when training as a corporate solicitor.
I had a deep interest in the legal implications of blockchain technology during my undergraduate degree. There was a novel module on “Law and the Digital Economy” which was a personal favourite of mine. This module gave me the requisite knowledge to be involved with the Cambridge Blockchain Society where I served as legal officer during my time at the university.
The quality of teaching on the MCL exceeded my high expectations and it was a privilege to learn from leading practitioners and academics. There was a friendly and collegial atmosphere on the course. I hope to stay in touch with my classmates from all over the world.
What are your post-MCL plans and have they changed due to taking the MCL?
I am currently training at an international law firm in Dublin, Ireland. The MCL gave me a unique perspective on corporate transactional work and commercial disputes that I am keen to build on in practice.
