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CM: ESB Trainee Solicitor 2026

Vacancy Number: 28579

Category: Apprentice - Business

Job Type: Temporary Full-time

Trainee Solicitor Contract with the ESB in-house Legal Team

Position Description

ESB’s in-house Legal Department plays a pivotal role in delivering ESB’s Net Zero by 2040 strategy. The team advises across all of ESB’s businesses in electricity generation, supply, and transmission, providing expert legal support in six core practice areas: Corporate & Commercial, Regulatory & Competition, Employment & Industrial Relations, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, Commercial Property, and Planning & Environmental law.

As a member of the in-house legal team, the trainee solicitor will contribute directly to the delivery of ESB’s strategy, which is anchored in ESB’s ambition to lead the national transition to a low‑carbon energy future based on clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. ESB’s strategy involves significant capital investment across multiple complex projects, requiring the provision of timely, high‑quality legal advice and transactional support.

The trainee solicitor will work across the ESB Legal Department, undertaking rotations in a range of the practice areas outlined above.

During each legal practice rotation, the trainee solicitor will report to a senior solicitor within the relevant practice area. In addition, a designated training solicitor will be appointed to provide ongoing guidance, support, and supervision throughout the training contract.

Key Responsibilities of this role

The responsibilities of the successful candidate will include:

Working proactively and collaboratively with the senior practice area solicitor or a delegated solicitor to provide high quality and timely legal advice to internal clients across ESB Group
Assisting in the management of files to ensure that client’s needs are attended to in a prompt manner with clear high quality legal advice
Assisting with the drafting of correspondence and contracts
Research and advisory work in collaboration with senior practice area solicitor
Meeting with and advising ESB internal clients in collaboration with the senior practice area solicitor
Working in compliance with and ensuring adherence with ESB’s corporate governance frameworks
Liaising with other specialist areas within ESB as required
Assisting in maintaining positive and collaborative relationships with internal clients, the ESB in-house legal team, external law firms and counsel appointed by ESB
Keeping appraised of legislative changes and case law

Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications

The successful candidate will:

Demonstrate strong organisational and analytical skills
Possess effective communication and interpersonal abilities
Show excellent legal research and drafting capability
Work collaboratively and build strong relationships with clients and colleagues
Act with integrity and professionalism
Perform effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Be proficient in Microsoft 365

Qualification

On or before 30th July 2026:

Has successfully passed all eight Law Society of Ireland FE1 entrance examinations and meet the Law Society of Ireland’s requirements for acceptance onto its Professional Practice Course 2026, commencing in September 2026 and passed all entry requirements to the Law Society

After completion of the Professional Practice Course 2026 the trainee solicitor will be required to undertake the advanced electives. The training solicitor will provide guidance to the trainee solicitor on the electives that align best with ESB’s Driven to make a difference Net Zero by 2040 strategy.

Subject to the terms of agreement between ESB and the trainee solicitor ESB will make payment of the trainee solicitors Professional Practice Course and Advanced Elective fees.

The trainee solicitor will also receive a salary while undertaking the Professional Practice Course 2026.

Location

The base location for this role will be ESB Networks Office, Leopardstown Road and/or ESB Head Office, 27 Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02KT92.

Smart Working at ESB is designed to make ‘in-person’ time together as purposeful as possible while also enabling the effective use of digital tools and hybrid arrangements to preserve our commitment to flexibility. The successful candidate may work flexibly within the jurisdiction where they have been employed, with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration at least two days per week. All Smart Working arrangements are subject to regular review based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the business.

Closing Date for applications:

21st June 2026

Salary:

€39,000

Please advise if you require any additional accommodations to assist you if you are called to attend at interview.

Note: Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence, recruitment@esb.ie

ESB is an equal opportunity employer

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

ESB is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society and ensure that no one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or belief, ethnicity or nationality, disability, age, citizenship, marital status, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis as protected by law.

Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence, recruitment@esb.ie.

About ESB

Join us in our mission to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2040. ESB is Ireland’s leading energy utility, with activities spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution, energy supply, energy services and international consultancy. Operating in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, we invest over €1 billion each year to deliver a new energy future based on reliable, affordable zero-carbon electricity.

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