Northern Ireland’s Lady Chief Justice, the Right Honourable Dame Siobhan Keegan, was the keynote speaker at a flagship event hosted by Pinsent Masons in Belfast.
Organised in conjunction with Business in the Community, pupils from schools across Northern Ireland had the rare – and valuable – opportunity to experience life inside a successful global law firm.
An annual event, the School’s Law Work Inspiration Day is designed to champion future legal talent, while also highlighting the company’s long-standing commitment to inspiring young students by exploring the different pathways they can take to secure employment in the industry.
The Belfast team, led by associates Meghan Kirk and Jodie Rankin, and Gill Warwick – Head of HR and Operations – delivered a full programme showcasing the breadth of roles that exist at Pinsent Masons, and the skills that are required by staff to succeed at every level.
Opening remarks by Partner and Head of the Belfast Office, Andrea McIlroy-Rose, were followed by an inspiring address by Dame Siobhan Keegan – one of the first two women to be appointed to the High Court along with Madam Justice McBride in September 2021.
Senior Associate Matthew McMurray spoke about a solicitor’s daily work and the variety within legal practice, while a panel made up of Alexandra Craig, Julie Blakely, Sally Morris and Declan Mallon illustrated how lawyers, business professionals and support teams collaborate to deliver for clients.
Students later participated in practical workshops which included mock interviews and a debating challenge to help build confidence and teamwork and an inspiring talk from Anna Rowan BL on life as a barrister and the routes to the Bar.
An office tour, and lunch with law students from Queen’s University and Ulster University, provided more insight into academic life, and the transition to university study for pupils.
Andrea McIlroy-Rose said: “Every year, Work Inspiration Day reminds us of the positive impact we can have simply by opening our doors and sharing our experiences with young people. The enthusiasm and curiosity of the students is energising, and it reinforces why initiatives like this matter.
“Our team is passionate about helping young people see what is possible – not just in law, but in the world of work more broadly. Events like this give students the chance to ask real questions, hear honest reflections, and see first-hand the variety of careers available within a modern international law firm.
“For many of them, it is the first time they have stepped inside a professional office environment and watching their confidence grow throughout the day was incredibly rewarding. If we can help even one student realise that a career in law, or indeed any professional path, is within their reach, then the event has achieved its purpose.”
Andrea added: “The attendance by the Lady Chief Justice was an exceptional honour. Her reflections on justice, professional purpose, and her personal career resonated deeply with students, with many describing the session as inspirational and eye-opening.”
Thanking Pinsent Masons and Business in the Community for creating a space where young people can explore what it means to have a career in the law and learn directly from those working in various roles within the legal sector, the Lady Chief Justice said: “Events such as these are a bridge between aspiration and opportunity.”
The annual Schools’ Law Work Inspiration Day forms part of Pinsent Masons’ commitment to inspiring young lives, supporting the next generation, and strengthening the firm’s partnership with influential bodies and stakeholders such as Business in the Community, the Bar and our local universities. The firm’s paid school work experience programme will go live in February for Summer 2026 and can be found at www.pinsentmasons.com/careers/early-talent/northern-ireland/summer-work-experience#1
Meanwhile, more than sixty local university students have attended Pinsent Masons’ Graduate Insight Event to learn more about the firm’s various placement opportunities which are offered to students annually, across the UK. These include the First Year Law Insight Day, and 10,000 Interns, vacation placements and training contracts. Further information can be found at: www.pinsentmasons.com/careers/early-talent
