Changing legal landscape examined at UCD Student Legal Convention

Almost 150 law students from across Ireland gathered to hear some of Ireland’s most influential legal minds, social commentators and leading academics on developing issues in law and society. The student-led event, supported by corporate law firm A&L Goodbody, was chaired by UCD School of Law lecturer, Paul Anthony McDermott SC.

Opening the Convention, Mark Ward, partner and head of mergers and acquisitions at A&L Goodbody, said: “We are going through a time of immense change in the political and economic landscape, both at home and around the world, and this presents new challenges and opportunities to lawyers and the legal profession in Ireland.

“The UCD Student Legal Convention, which we are delighted to support again this year, brings some of the country’s top legal professionals together to discuss these changing times and I hope that the students, our future business and legal leaders, will be inspired by the convention and by the exciting challenges that lie ahead.”

Notable topics discussed included data security, corporate social responsibility, and white collar crime, as well as the impacts of Brexit.

During a discussion on Brexit, Dr Vincent Power, partner and head of EU and competition at A&L Goodbody, advised students that Brexit is a tremendous opportunity for law students “because if the UK leaves the EU you will be the only English speaking common law country across the European Union”.

He added: “The border is extremely important but we have become over-fixated on it. The United Kingdom is perfectly entitled under Article 50 to leave, but they do have to pay their bills before they go.”

Other speakers on the day included Frank Ryan – Chairman of the Board, IDA Ireland; Anna Scally – Head of Technology & Media, KPMG; Claire Morrissey – Partner in IP & Technology, A&L Goodbody; and Dr John Temple Lang – Former Director for Telecommunications & Media in the Competition Directorate General of the European Commission.