The collaboration will support the appointment of a new assistant professor in EU law, award a PhD scholarship in EU law, and create a new Trinity Matheson EU seminar series.

The Matheson assistant professor in EU law will be dedicated to advancing research in the field and strengthening Trinity Law School’s teaching and research profile in commercial EU law, in areas such as financial services, intellectual property law, competition law, and information technology law.

Recruitment for the post will take place over the next six months, with the new assistant professor appointed for the 2024-25 academic year.

In addition to the faculty position, the partnership will introduce the Matheson PhD scholarship, which will see a PhD scholar conduct research in the area of commercial EU law, contributing to the advancement of EU law thought leadership.

Furthermore, the collaboration will feature a series of EU law seminars, bringing together leading experts, academics, and practitioners to discuss and analyse the latest developments in EU law. These seminars will provide a platform for robust discussions, knowledge exchange, and innovative ideas that will shape the future of EU law practice.

Provost Dr Linda Doyle said: “This generous gift from Matheson will be of huge benefit to the School of Law in Trinity. It will help strengthen teaching and research in EU law, which is an area of particular strategic importance. The Trinity Matheson EU seminar series will also raise the profile of this hugely important field.

“I want to thank Matheson and I am really looked forward to seeing the positive impact of this partnership, particularly for our students.”

Professor Caoimhín Mac Maoláin, head of Trinity Law School, added: “We are hugely appreciative of Matheson’s support for our EU law teaching and research initiatives. Since EU law is my own primary research interest, it gives me considerable personal as well as professional satisfaction to expand our resources in this key area.

“Matheson has worked with us on several other projects over recent years, especially in the areas of diversity and inclusion. This latest gift will benefit law students for years to come.”

Paddy Spicer, chairperson of Matheson, said: “We are delighted to embark on this new partnership with Trinity College Dublin. Considering the transformative impact of EU law on member states’ legal systems and the wider business environment, it is crucial to continue advancing expertise and thought leadership in this field.

“EU legislation is constantly evolving and at Matheson, we are helping clients to navigate the complex EU regulatory framework.

“We firmly believe in the power of collaboration and this partnership will allow us to combine Trinity’s academic excellence with our legal expertise to push the boundaries of EU law scholarship, nurture talent, and provide industry-leading insights to our clients and the wider legal community.”

Tara Doyle, head of Matheson’s asset management and investment funds department and a newly appointed Trinity College Dublin board member, said: “We are proud to partner with Trinity College Dublin for this exciting programme to support exceptional talent and advance EU law expertise.

“The EU has experienced significant impacts and transformations since its establishment, necessitating the continued advancement of expertise and thought leadership in EU law. Ireland’s long-standing EU membership and strong legal and regulatory institutions position it well to be a leading player in this field.

“This collaboration represents another step forward in advancing EU law expertise and fostering cutting-edge thinking in this ever-evolving area.”