I joined Mercy Law in October 2023 through a six-month Pro Bono Secondment Programme run by Arthur Cox LLP. The opportunity to work as a paralegal in Mercy Law before starting my traineeship really appealed to me. I believe the legal profession has an obligation to ensure society’s most vulnerable groups are not excluded from exercising their legal rights because of the cost of legal services. Therefore, independent law centres like Mercy Law are critically important to ensure these groups are adequately advised and represented. I felt it was important to get a deeper understanding of housing law and the issues around this area so that I might be in a better position to help as I progress my legal career.
The last six months have truly flown by mainly due to the immense level of demand for homeless and social housing support at present. From week one I was thrown in at the deep end and given responsibility for important legal work such as drafting affidavits, preparing booklets for litigation and engaging with clients. As I got more familiar with the legal landscape in this area, I was given tasks with more responsibility. These tasks included legal research that required me to analyze relevant legislation and regulations, as well as the preparation of first drafts of written correspondence.
I feel very privileged to have been part of such a wonderful team of dedicated, hardworking professionals who have been very supportive throughout my secondment. The office atmosphere was always incredibly collegial, which allowed me to relax and develop my legal skills. Although the work is challenging and perhaps frustrating at times, it was extremely rewarding to see how a successful result could totally change a person’s situation in life. I am very grateful to Mercy Law and Arthur Cox for affording me this opportunity to assist in the lives of those most affected by the ongoing housing crisis.
