UCC Law Students Awarded 2026 RDJ Diversity & Inclusion Scholarships

Two University College Cork (UCC) School of Law students, Elena Falvey and Mohammad Ahmed Naeem 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 Conor O’Mahony, Dean of the UCC School of Law. This is the fifth 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. 

Elena and Mohammad have each received a scholarship worth €5,000 and a work placement opportunity with RDJ.

Elena and Mohammad were chosen as the scholarship recipients for 2026 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 the 26 January by Jamie Olden, Managing Partner, RDJ, Jennifer Noctor, Partner and Diversity & Inclusion Committee Team Lead, RDJ; and Professor Conor O’Mahony, 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 RDJ Diversity Scholarship recipients, Elena and Mohammad —both outstanding students whose journeys I look forward to following. At RDJ, diversity and inclusion are core values, and this scholarship reflects our commitment to building a workplace that mirrors the diversity of our clients and the communities we serve. Attracting, retaining and promoting individuals from different backgrounds, races and genders not only strengthens our firm, it enhances innovation, problem‑solving and the value we deliver to clients. This year we welcomed our first recipient of the award back in as a trainee which shows the real impact of this initiative. We are proud to support talented students like Elena and Mohammad as they take their first steps into the legal profession.”

Professor Conor O’Mahony, Dean of the UCC School of Law, added:

“RDJ’s continued sponsorship of this scholarship is something we greatly appreciate at the School of Law. Elena and Mohammad have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, insight and commitment through a highly competitive selection process, and they are very deserving recipients of this year’s scholarships. Opportunities like this not only provide vital financial and professional support, but also help to build a more inclusive legal community.”

In this 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, Fahima Mohamed and Stuthi Biyani were recently awarded RDJ Diversity and Inclusion Scholarships by Marion Meehan, Senior Associate at RDJ, and Professor Martin Hogg, Dean of the University of Galway School of Law. Read more here.

Pictured (L-R): Jamie Olden, Managing Partner, RDJ; Jennifer Noctor, Partner; Mohammad Ahmed Naeem, UCC law student; Elena Falvey, UCC law student and Professor Conor O’Mahony, Dean of Law, UCC. 

Photo credit: Janice O’Connell

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, supported by a global network of partner firms. The firm delivers cross‑sector expertise to a diverse client base, including scaling and established Irish businesses, multinationals, financial institutions, and global insurers.

RDJ is committed to building better, stronger, and more sustainable businesses and careers, placing sustainability at the core of its mission. The firm is proud to be a Certified B Corporation, a global benchmark recognising companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance. RDJ is also the first Irish law firm to achieve this prestigious certification, underscoring its leadership in sustainability within the legal sector.