The annual scholarship is named in honour of late Matheson partner Cara O’Hagan and delivered as part of Matheson’s impactful business programme.

It is open to second-year undergraduate students in TCD, including students on the higher education access route or the disability access route to education schemes, mature students and students who face barriers in third-level education.

As winner of the scholarship, Mr Pierse has been awarded a place on Matheson’s summer internship programme in June 2024, a bursary of €5,000 for each academic year and an assigned mentor from Matheson to provide support during his university journey.

Matheson managing partner Michael Jackson said: “On behalf of Matheson, I would like to congratulate Jude on this achievement, and we look forward to supporting him in his studies.

“Established as a tribute to Cara’s work in leading many of Matheson’s D&I initiatives, this scholarship underlines our longstanding commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion both within our firm, and within the communities in which we operate.

“At Matheson, we view D&I as a strategic necessity that fuels innovation, drives collaboration, and develops the best professionals to provide the best services to our clients, and we are proud to be able to support the next generation of legal talent.”

Professor Caoimhín MacMaoláin, head of TCD School of Law, said: “Trinity College Law School are delighted that Jude is receiving this award. He is a most deserved recipient of the Matheson Cara Scholarship.

“This aspect of the partnership between Matheson and TCD is a fantastic initiative. It really promotes diversity and inclusion in our law school and in the legal profession.

“Jude is an exceptional law student and receiving the Matheson Cara Scholarship, and the opportunities that this brings, will prove to be invaluable to his future career.”

Mr Pierse said: “I am delighted to be the recipient of this life-changing bursary and grateful to Matheson for providing me with every opportunity to develop personally and excel in my legal career.

“Coming from a non-legal family, it can be very intimidating to walk through the doors of a large law firm. It often seems like a place out of reach. However, thanks to Cara’s lasting work and the shared commitment of everyone at Matheson, I feel welcomed and valued.”