UCD Students win national Advocacy challenge
Two UCD Law students have won the inaugural national Advocacy challenge organised and sponsored by McCann Fitzgerald, one of Ireland’s top law firms. The two, Andrew McElwee and Ian Boyle Harper, came through a series qualifying rounds to make it to the final at Dublin’s Four Courts where they scooped the top prize of €2,000. Ian was also named best individual speaker.
Andrew, who went to school at Kings Hospital and lives in Sandyford, is in final year BCL, as is Ian, who is from Rathgar and went to school in Gonzaga.
In the final they beat off a strong challenge from a second team of UCD Law students. Mark Curran and Nichola Delaney are third year Business and Law students. Mark is from Clonskeagh and also went to School in Gonzaga. Nichola is from Mullingar and went to school in Loreto Mullingar.
Advocacy is one of the most important skills a barrister can have and is essential for a successful career at the bar. To win,the students were given a case scenario and had to offer an analysis of the legal issues and risks as well as the possible strategic approach/solutions for the business.
Commenting, Professor John Jackson, Dean UCD School of Law, said "I would like to pay tribute to McCann Fitzgerald on inaugurating this important initiative for students. I am delighted that two UCD teams made the final and congratulate the winning team"
The Chairman of McCann Fitzgerald, John Cronin, also congratulated the winners saying, “They have demonstrated throughout the course of the competition the ability to understand business issues and to articulate and deliver practical legal responses for clients. This unique challenge was designed to give participants an opportunity to hone these particular skills as they prepare for their legal career.”
The winning team, ANDREW McElwee, (second right), and Ian Boyle Harper, (centre), are pictured with the judging panel, Mr Justice Peter Kelly (l.), John Cronin, Chairman McCann Fitzgerald(r) and Rose Hynes,Chairman, Bord Gais Eireann.
The finalists (l-r) Andrew McElwee, Ian Boyle Harper, Nichola Delaney and Mark Curran
