AIDEEN DELANEY

I began my career with Maples as a trainee and have recently qualified into the Corporate department of the firm's Dublin office. While completing my training contract with the firm I was afforded a level of training and opportunity that was second to none.

Being part of a global team, trainees were always encouraged to challenge themselves and assume an increasing level of responsibility. During my training I was fortunate to be seconded to our Hong Kong office for my investment funds rotation.

The team in Hong Kong was incredibly welcoming and approachable which meant that I immediately felt at ease. Having the chance to work on the 53rd floor of the landmark building The Center on Hong Kong Island with so many lawyers who are both renowned and respected in the Asian marketplace was an unforgettable experience. The variety and calibre of work, combined with the opportunity to interact on a daily basis with high profile international clients and colleagues from several of our international offices meant that throughout my rotation I was constantly learning and developing.

As a place, Hong Kong fuses the best of Western and Eastern culture to create a place unlike anywhere else I had been before. The city is vibrant and buzzing, the beaches are beautiful and there is always so much to see and do. In terms of further travel, so many amazing countries are just a short hop, skip and a jump including mainland China, Macau and the Philippines to name a few!

Experiencing life in another Maples office was truly an unforgettable experience. Not only did I make lifelong friends, I also feel that I developed personally and professionally as a result.