| ‘I am delighted to be embarking on my legal career with Matheson and this opportunity would not have been possible if not for the collaboration between Maynooth University and Matheson.’ Tai Ogunde – LLM (International Business Law) graduate
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The Department of Law and Matheson have continued to build on the success of the Funds Law module, taught by international law firm Matheson and offered on the LLM (International Business Law) and LLM (Global Legal Studies) programmes in Maynooth University.
Tara Doyle, Chairperson of Matheson and Head of the firm’s Asset Management and Investment Funds Department commented that ‘it has been our great pleasure at Matheson to continue our collaboration with Maynooth University. Partnerships between academia and industry such as this are vital to pass complex regulatory knowledge to our third level students, and to continue to develop the skills base necessary to ensure that Ireland strengthens its position as an international leader in financial services and thrives as a leading international fund domicile. Designing third level programmes that ensure a supply of talented graduates with relevant, specialist skills is a key element in ensuring Ireland’s ongoing competitiveness in the international financial services arena.’
An innovative and cutting-edge module
The innovative and cutting-edge Funds Law module offers taught postgraduate students at Maynooth University’s Department of Law an opportunity to be taught each week by experts in Irish and international funds law from Matheson. Students learn about key industry-relevant topics - such as the development of mutual funds and hedge funds, the impact of the global financial crisis, and the process involved in establishing Irish domiciled investment funds. While normally run at Matheson’s Sir John Rogerson's Quay offices, this year the module was successfully run virtually.
Commenting on this year’s module Brónagh Maher, Professional Support Lawyer in Matheson's Asset Management and Investment Funds Department and module lead noted that ‘it was a real pleasure to deliver the Funds Law module again this year. The students really made the most of the virtual sessions and we enjoyed great engagement and debate over topical issues in the investment funds space. This innovative partnership between private practice and academia affords students an exciting and invaluable opportunity to gain a real insight into the Irish funds industry. Students gain specialist legal knowledge and skills in an area with excellent employment prospects. The Irish funds industry directly employs over 17,000 people in Ireland across 12 different counties. Ireland is recognised internationally as one of the world's leading jurisdictions for funds and is responsible for administering over 40% of the world’s alternative investment funds. Students on the module develop an understanding of the European Union architecture which underpins Irish funds regulation, the factors involved in Ireland’s emergence as a global leader in the funds space and its status as an international distribution hub.’
Speaking of the student experience on the module, dual LLM (International Business Law) graduate Tai Ogunde noted that ‘[t]he specialised Funds Law course was made available to me through the LLM. International Business Law Masters programme. My decision to embark on this course stemmed from my keen interest in the funds industry. The fact that it had never been taught at any other Irish university was a major selling point for me. Additionally, the course provided students with the opportunity of being taught by some of the best lawyers in the funds industry – Bronagh Maher and Shay Lydon to name a few.’ Tai also noted that she ‘gained extensive knowledge on all the key players in the industry such as the Investment Manager, the Depositary, the Management Company and the Administrator.’
An internship at Matheson
Coming joint first in the module in 2019, Tai was also offered a 6-month internship at Matheson – speaking about this opportunity Tai noted that ‘[t]he knowledge I gained truly stood to benefit me in my internship at Matheson as it gave me an added advantage. I was able to apply what I had been taught throughout the course to real life practical situations through filing central bank application forms for funds and sub-funds, drafting emails and letters to clients as well as attending client meetings.’ At the end of her internship, Tai was offered a training contract at Matheson, and will be starting this in September 2021.
The Department of Law is delighted to be continuing this innovative collaboration between industry and academia that benefits not only those directly involved, but also the wider economy.