RDJ Diversity Scholarships drive greater inclusion in Ireland’s legal profession
Two University College Cork (UCC) School of Law students, Alicia Olaniran and Ester Evangelista de Alcantara were recently awarded RDJ Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships by Jamie Olden, Managing Partner, RDJ; Jennifer Noctor, Partner and Diversity & Inclusion Committee Team Lead, RDJ; and Professor Mark Poustie, Dean of the UCC School of Law. This is the fourth year RDJ has awarded the Scholarship at UCC which support students from ethnic minorities and those who are under-represented in the legal profession in Ireland. RDJ awarded Diversity and Inclusion scholarships to two University of Galway law students earlier this year.
Alicia Olaniran and Ester Evangelista de Alcantara have each received a scholarship worth €5,000 and a work placement opportunity with RDJ.
The RDJ Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship at University College Cork supports students from ethnic minorities and those who are under-represented in the legal profession in Ireland.
Alicia and Ester were chosen as the scholarship recipients for 2025 following a competitive selection process based on exam results, a personal statement, a 1,000-word essay discussing the topic, “The Need for Diversifying the Legal Profession in Ireland” and an interview. The students were officially awarded their scholarships on 20 January by Jamie Olden, Managing Partner, RDJ, Jennifer Noctor, Partner and Diversity & Inclusion Committee Team Lead, RDJ; and Professor Mark Poustie, Dean of the UCC School of Law.
Commending the RDJ Diversity Scholars on their achievement, Jamie Olden, Managing Partner, RDJ, said:
“I am delighted to meet this year’s recipients of the RDJ Diversity Scholarship today. Alicia and Ester are both outstanding students and I look forward to following what I have no doubt will be successful career paths for them both.”
He added, “Greater diversity and inclusion are among RDJ’s core values. This scholarship is in keeping with our commitment to creating a workplace that reflects the diversity of our clients and the communities we are part of. As a firm we are focused on our priorities to attract, retain, and promote diverse individuals from different backgrounds, races and genders. We do this not just because it’s the right thing to do but because it makes us better and it makes our teams better. Diverse teams offer a wide range of perspectives and experiences, which can lead to increased innovation and problem solving, and allow us to provide the best possible value for our clients. Our goal is that initiatives like this will allow us to live up to our core values and ensure that sooner rather than later the firm will reflect society generally.”
Jennifer Noctor, Partner and Diversity & Inclusion Committee Team Lead, RDJ added,
“Our Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship program is part of RDJ’s commitment to fostering greater inclusion in the legal profession. We are proud to support talented students like Alicia and Ester as they take their first steps toward building impactful legal careers. The success of past recipients, such as Ruth Fu Dong McKernan, who was awarded the scholarship in 2022, completed a summer placement, and is now beginning a traineeship with RDJ later this year, underscores the program’s impact. It’s inspiring to see how initiatives like this can help break down barriers and create opportunities for underrepresented voices in the legal field.”
Acknowledging the importance of encouraging diversity in the legal profession, Professor Mark Poustie, Dean of the UCC School of Law, said:
“I am delighted and grateful that RDJ continue to sponsor this transformative scholarship in partnership with the School of Law. It provides a fantastic opportunity for those from ethnically diverse backgrounds to unlock the door to the legal profession and thus will ultimately contribute to making the profession more representative of contemporary Irish society. The scholarship also fits well with the School’s mission of “Shaping a Just Society”. Many congratulations to this year’s winners, Alicia and Ester!”
In this recent interview, previous year’s scholarship recipients, Ruth Fu Dong McKernan, Chidindu Ukah and Caitlin Ong discuss existing barriers to accessing a career in law, share their experience of participating in the programme, and emphasize why scholarships like these play a vital role in promoting inclusivity. View the interview here.
RDJ offers Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships at both University College Cork and University of Galway. Two University of Galway Law students, Mamadou Saliou Bah and Salma Smith were recently awarded RDJ Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships by JP Gilmartin, Partner-in-Charge of law firm RDJ's Galway office, Antoinette Vahey, Partner at RDJ, and Professor Martin Hogg, Dean of the University of Galway School of Law. Read more here.
University College Cork (UCC)
The UCC School of Law is a leading international school, committed to excellence and innovation in legal education and research, with the aim of shaping a just society. Ranked among the top 100 Law Schools worldwide, students receive a first-class education from a vibrant community of legal scholars who are leading experts in their fields. The School offers a wide range of high-quality programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level, such as the flagship BCL Pathways undergraduate degree, where students have the opportunity to specialise with a clinical placement or international exchange component. UCC School of Law graduates are career-ready, equipped with the legal knowledge and practical workplace skills needed to take on the challenges that we face in today’s world.
RDJ
RDJ is one of Ireland’s leading corporate law firms. With offices in Cork, Dublin and Galway, the firm provides cross-sectoral expertise to clients that include scaling and established Irish companies, multinationals, financial institutions and global insurance companies.
RDJ is committed to fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion through recruitment, career development, and ongoing outreach to the communities in which RDJ has a presence. The firm has been recognised by the Irish Centre for Diversity and awarded their Investors in Diversity Silver Standard.