Only four trainee solicitors in Wicklow as Dublin firms ‘hoover up’ young legal talent

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

Just four trainee solicitors are currently working in Wicklow, as 581 contracts were handed out to trainee solicitors nationally in 2025, with 479 of those in Dublin.

The figures highlight a growing issue around the lack of young practitioners entering the legal profession in Wicklow.

West Wicklow solicitor John O’Sullivan said the exams required to qualify as a solicitor are difficult, with many people taking time to complete them.

He said he was lucky to be part of the “yellow pack” generation of solicitors, who only needed a degree.

“Rural communities cannot compete with the salaries and opportunities available in Dublin,” Mr O’Sullivan added.

Brexit has also led to UK firms merging into Ireland. creating increasing competition for young legal talent, according to Mr O’Sullivan.

UK firms that have established a Dublin presence in the past decade include DAC Beachcroft, Fieldfisher, Addleshaw Goddard, Pinsent Masons, DWF, Lewis Silkin, and Eversheds Sutherland.

“It’s the conquest of English firms, they hoovered up the talent as they have the means,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

He believes that before Covid trainees were not always treated properly in some of the larger firms, with some allegedly working 100-hour weeks and being “sucked dry”.

However, he thinks the larger firms have learned from this and that working conditions have since improved.

The west Wicklow solicitor also pointed to the difficulties faced by rural practices, with many operating from older buildings which can make taking on additional trainees difficult.

“There’s no room in a lot of firms - it’s not like Harry Potter under the staircase,” he said.

Wicklow legal veteran, Brendan Maloney, also raised concerns about the shortage of young solicitors entering rural practices.

He said Dublin is more attractive to trainees and offers better career prospects, while larger firms are positioned to take on large numbers of trainees.

“It would be interesting to see what the turnover numbers are, and how many are offered contracts after they qualify,” he said.

Referring to the knock-on effects, he said that trainees are being diverted away from the small solicitor practices

“Ultimately that will have a prejudicial effect on the availability of legal services to the ordinary citizen,” said Mr Maloney.

Bray solicitor, Joe Maguire of Maguire McNiece has taken on two trainees over the last two years, highlighting the efforts being made by some Wicklow practices to bring young solicitors into the profession.

Mark Maguire of the same office explained that the shortage of young solicitors is part of a wider national issue, rather than one confined to Wicklow.

While the county has just four trainees, he pointed out that Wicklow is still joint seventh in the latest figures, with only Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Kildare and Louth recording higher numbers.

He warned that if the shortage is not addressed “legal deserts”, could happen, with small and medium-sized practices struggling to find a successor to local practitioners when they retire.