• Innovative law firm, Matheson, launches graduate competition asking university students what one legal reform they would implement to encourage post-Brexit business growth in Ireland by 2020;
  • Winning individuals will be awarded a place on Matheson's summer internship programme and a €1,000 prize.
  • Matheson continue to invest in top talent with the number of graduate training contracts offered growing by 85% since 2013

Irish university students are to explore new ways of growing the economy after the UK's vote to leave the EU as part of a new competition launched today by leading Irish law firm Matheson.

The ' Vision 2020 University Challenge' invites students to write a 1000-word essay in response to the question "In a post-Brexit economy, what is the one legal reform you would implement to encourage business growth by 2020 in Ireland?" A shortlist of entrants will then be invited to present their proposal to a panel of Matheson judges.

Pioneered by law firm Matheson, and open to third level students studying any discipline throughout Ireland, the 'Vision 2020 University Challenge' is designed to identify and encourage talented students with an eye on Ireland's future. The competition is open to team entries, with a minimum of two and maximum of four team members.

The members of the winning team will each be awarded a place on Matheson's internship programme, in addition to a €1,000 first prize fund for each member of the winning team. Members of the second placed team will be awarded €500 each.

The Matheson graduate programme is open for applications until Friday, 26 October. The programme provides graduates with a unique opportunity to work across four different departments over their two-year training programme and work alongside some of Ireland's leading lawyers.

Headquartered in Dublin with offices in London, New York and Palo Alto, more than 600 people work across Matheson's four offices, including 74 partners and tax principals and over 350 legal and tax professionals.

Commenting on the launch of the 'Vision 2020 University Challenge', Michael Jackson, Managing Partner at Matheson, said:

"Brexit poses unique challenges to Ireland while also presenting some unique opportunities for Ireland. Attracting foreign companies and talent to Ireland while protecting domestic businesses from any adverse consequences of Brexit will require innovative thinking and an ability to react to change. Today's university students will graduate into a business environment that will be adapting to these challenges and opportunities. They can, and should, have a voice in contributing meaningfully to the Brexit dialogue. As Ireland's internationally focused law firm, Matheson is pleased to support that contribution by encouraging students to identify legal reforms which could help enhance Ireland's competitiveness in a post-Brexit era."

"The challenge is open to all university students from all fields of study, and it will highlight the best young legal visionaries. We look forward to reviewing submissions over the coming weeks."

Over the last three years, Matheson has significantly increased the number of graduate trainee positions offered - up 85% since 2013.

About the 'Vision2020 University Challenge'

Participants must submit their entries in writing or by video to vision2020@matheson.com before 5PM on Wednesday 19 October 2016. A shortlist of finalists will be invited to Matheson to present their ideas before a judging panel made up of Tara Doyle, Pat English, and Nicola White on Wednesday, 2 November.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.