Columbia University - Graduate School of Journalism

University of Oxford

BPP Law School

St. Columb's College

Journalist turned lawyer. 

First seat: Banking (Restructuring and Insolvency)

Norton Rose Fulbright

Trainee Solicitor

Covers banking in the City of London, with regular live blogging, explainers, news reports, and feature stories sourced from chief regulators and top executives. 

In this role, I’ve broken stories on the UK’s crumbling “access to cash” infrastructure, behind-the-scenes conversations between financiers and cabinet ministers, and a former bank boss’s ambitions to run for public office.

From first takes on company earnings to case studies on consumer trends, I draw from a wide network of sources to move stories along, with insight from analysts and colour from compelling characters. Often, this is done under tight deadlines – especially when readers are trying to get to grips with complicated, breaking news, such as the mortgage fallout from the mini-Budget crisis. Or the botched rollout of banking hubs to replace shuttered high street bank branches. 

On the policy side, I’ve reported on the problem of bounce back loan (BBL) fraud, the scrapping of the bankers’ bonus cap, the row over Solvency II reform, the ECB’s desk-mapping exercise, the prospect of a windfall tax for banks, greenwashing rulings, the ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) debate, and much, much more. 

Through my work, I’ve also seen how issues affecting one sector or industry can eventually bleed into the financial system, setting off a new chain of events. One good example of this is how natural gas shortages in Europe and soaring energy bills spurred a cost of living crisis, and forced banks to respond with additional customer support, payment holidays, and increased impairment charges – directly impacting their bottom line. 

Besides my reporting duties, I’m also responsible for live blogging on the news site, proofreading print spreads, uploading content, and other aspects of web content production.

The Telegraph

Senior Banking Reporter

Evening shift live blogger on the business desk.

Live Blogger

Wrote pieces for the Arts Desk, FTfm, Work & Careers and Special Reports sections of the FT newspaper.

Financial Times

Contributing Writer

Worked as a full-time reporter at FT Specialist, covering corporations, endowments, and public pension funds across a variety of asset classes in the North American market for MandateWire, as well as The Banker, fDi Intelligence magazine, and FundFire.

∙ MandateWire is a daily newswire service within the FT, which focuses on the coverage of institutional investors. 
∙ Pitches, reports, and writes 2-4 original stories daily, with timely actionable content for investment managers. Around 1,000 stories written to date. 
∙ Conceptualizes graphics and other visual aids to help explain complex scoops. 
∙ Interviews fund officials, including CIOs, CFOs, and consultants. 
∙ Compiles quarterly and annual "deal flow" data at the end of each fiscal quarter and fiscal year. 
∙ Writes data analysis pieces on investment trends.

Reporter, FT Specialist 

Research assistant to the Dean, Prof. Steve Coll. Conducted archival research for the forthcoming book, 'The Achilles Trap: Saddam Hussein, the United States and the Middle East, 1979-2003', to be published in February 2024.

Penguin Publishing Group

Research Assistant

Main beats included affordable housing and politics in New York City and state.

∙ Covered stories include the Democratic primaries for the New York Gubernatorial Elections, the DHCR, and property tax laws on condominiums. 
∙ Aggregated newswires for the website and daily newsletter. 
∙ Researched state/city databases, e.g. Scroll, ACRIS, and SEC filings (8-Ks, S-1s, and so on)
∙ Scheduled and conducted interviews with NY state assemblymen, NYC council members, academics, developers, real estate attornies, and grassroots activists. 
∙ Updated events page on a weekly basis, editing and publishing on Wordpress

The Real Deal

Real Estate Reporter 

Research assistant to Mary Jordan on her latest book, The Art of Her Deal: The Untold Story of Melania Trump.

Simon & Schuster

Covered institutional investors and private equity firms at PEI (formerly Buyouts Insider). 

∙ Compiled a first-of-its-kind guide to independent sponsors for an upcoming fall edition. Altogether, over 400 entities, independent sponsors and capital providers were sourced for contributions, of which, some 250 made it to final print.
∙ Decided a layout and template for the guide. 
∙ Gathered data through a judicious use of self-designed surveys which were targeted at key recipients (i.e. SurveyMonkey newsletter).
∙ Pitched, sourced, and wrote 13 stories on pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and the fundraising activities of GPs, including CapVest Equity Partners, Vista Equity Partners, and Accel-KKR. 
∙ Regularly wrote to tight deadlines, especially in the case of breaking news stories (e.g. CalPERS's second draft of their FY 2019 investment policy) and press releases (e.g. Alaska Permanent Fund's co-investment performance). 
∙ Promoted a PartnerConnect event on social media, taking pictures, and retweeting key moments.

Pension Fund Reporter

4 Pump Court are a leading barristers’ chambers with expertise in commercial, construction, energy, professional negligence, shipping, information technology and telecommunications work. This was a two-day mini-pupillage.

∙ Sat in on a petition to the county court  (The Royal Courts of Justice, London) to amend the debenture of a loan agreement under the Companies Act 2006. 
∙ Read through case documents on a breach and termination of contract in relation to a construction dispute. 
∙ Completed an assessed exercise on a health insurance policy claim.

4 Pump Court

Mini-Pupillage

Two weeks spent at Sidley Austin's London offices, with one half of my placement spent in the Financial Services Regulatory, and the other half in the Global Finance department.

Sidley Austin LLP

Summer Vacation Scheme Student

Pump Court Tax Chambers is a set which specialises in tax. It offers expertise in every facet of revenue law, from the largest corporate transactions to issues facing the private individual. This was a three-day mini-pupillage. 

∙ Shadowed a leading Silk, and was permitted to sit-in on private client consultations. 
∙ Wrote up a legal opinion on 'interests in possession trusts', determining whether the case study amounted to a 'bare trust,' or the retention of a 'general power of appointment' (Resources: Lewin on Trusts)
∙ Researched the impact of the Finance Bill 2017 on non-UK domiciliaries.

Pump Court Tax Chambers

Quadrant Chambers is a leading set that undertakes a wide variety of work, but is most noted for its strong shipping and aviation practice. This was a two-day mini-pupillage. 

∙ Drafted a legal opinion outlining the rudiments of English contract law for an overseas client in the shipping industry (Resources: Chitty on Contracts)
∙ Drafted a second legal opinion detailing whether certain specifications in the manufacture of a set of goods were incorporated into a sales contract.
∙ Analysed two aviation cases that involved commercial airline carriers being sued under EU consumer protection regulations and the Montreal Convention for damages as a result of a delayed/cancelled flight. In one instance, a case involved an internal technical fault and, in the other, an external disruptive act. 
∙ Analysed a case to discern whether a misrepresentation amounted to breach of contract, which meant that one of the involved parties could be held liable for the cost of damages incurred from the deal.

Quadrant Chambers

One week spent as a winter vacation scheme student with the Silver Circle law firm, Ashurst, in the banking department of their London offices, at Broadgate.

Ashurst

Winter Vacation Scheme Student

One week on Jones Day's virtual winter vacation scheme. Completed tasks covered a range of practice areas, including antitrust, arbitration, corporate, intellectual property, and real estate.

Jones Day

Two-weeks spent in the London offices of The Times. 

∙ Letters to the Editor - 
__  ◆ Processed and selected correspondences suitable for publication. 
__  ◆ Sourced contributions from opinion-formers, i.e. academics. 
∙ Comment section - 
__  ◆ Instructed in the use of editing software, Méthode (EidosMedia). 
__  ◆ Guided through The Times' website: uploading material, creating features and online strategy.
__  ◆ Trained step-by-step in how to develop ideas for a three-page spread/section. 
∙ Sat in on the daily 'AM' and 'PM' editorial meetings, watching the paper take shape. 
∙ Shadowed Comment Editor as he pitched ideas to the Editor at 'Leader Conference'.
∙ Magazine supplement - 
__  ◆ Supplied information on British Olympic medal winners for feature.
__  ◆ Researched talking points for an interview with Kate Richardson-Walsh, and wrote up an introduction to the piece.
__  ◆ Transcribed 5,000 words of audio for a feature on depression, 'Sad Lads'.  
__  ◆ Sourced an interviewee for 'Sad Lads' feature.
__  ◆ Carried out promotional work on behalf of Thomas Pink, X Jaeger and Hush Puppies, helping to advertise their brand and collections for upcoming issues. 
∙ Thought up captions to accompany topical cartoons for The Times' upcoming 2017 calendar.

The Times

Comment Desk Intern

∙ Drafted invitations for policy speaker events to be held at Conservative Party Conference 2016.
∙ Compiled guest lists of interested parties; from Members of Parliament (MPs), to journalists and researchers.
∙ Wrote up a roundtable discussion proposal on 'contributory benefits.'
∙ Contributed a blog piece on London housing. 
∙ Proofread Bright Blue's most recent study, the Green Report. 
∙ Attended meetings and gained valuable insights into the daily running of a think tank.

Bright Blue

Research Intern

Two-weeks interning with the Conservative Campaign Headquarters on Matthew Parker Street, London.

∙ Analysed parliamentary debate transcripts from Hansard. 
∙ Researched a number of policy initiatives, many of which were upcoming bills to be tabled before parliament. These included, but were not limited to:
_____   ◆ Heathrow expansion, with a focus on the Report of the Davies Commission.
_____   ◆ Trident renewal
_____   ◆ The construction of HS2
∙ Created transcripts of media briefings using oTranscribe.
∙ Compiled a database of opposition policy positions.

The Conservative Party

One week spent shadowing Danny Kinahan MP (South Antrim) at Portcullis House and in the Palace of Westminster.

∙ Researched and advised on the briefing paper, 'Replacing the UK's 'Trident' Nuclear Deterrent' and the Executive Action Plan, 'Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime.' 
∙ Attended a staff training and informational day: 
____   ◆ Guided through the day-to-day scheduling and running of parliament's business.
_______   ■ 'Chamber' and 'Westminster Hall' proceedings
_______   ■ The former included: 'Oral Questions', 'Urgent Questions', 'Ten Minute Rule Motions' etc.
_______   ■ Became acquainted with 'the Rules of Order' and the role of the Table Office. 
_______   ■ Read through examples of Early Day Motions (EDMs). 
____   ◆  Lecture on 'An Introduction to Legislation', covering:
_______   ■ Green/White Papers, Public Bill Committees, Private Members' Bills and so on. 
____   ◆ Induction tour with the House of Commons Library staff. 
____   ◆ Class on media management, e.g. news alerts, archival resources and fact-checking.
∙ Sat in on Prime Minister's Questions.
∙ Accompanied MPs to a drinks reception hosted by the All-Party Betting and Gaming Group (APBGG). 
∙ Familiarised myself with the roll-out of BT Broadband at a forum held by the Policy Exchange and  chaired by the CEO of BT Openreach (Clive Selley).
∙ Shadowed MP at a meeting with Kurdish activists.

House of Commons

Parliamentary Intern

Two-weeks in the constituency and parliamentary offices of Robert Buckland MP, Solicitor General for England and Wales (South Swindon) 

∙ Spoke with constituents and carried out casework.
∙ Participated in events of local importance, e.g. community outreach meetings, 'Catch-a-Bus Week', Somme commemoration (100th anniversary) 
∙ Examined local news and wrote up a summaries, submitted articles in response.
∙ Analysed documents with regard to the 'European migrant crisis', and evaluated the findings of the 'Chilcot Report' on the war in Iraq.
∙ Policy research into pensions, health, transport, foreign affairs and immigration. This included experience of PRU (Policy Research Unit) and responding to the concerns of constituents.
∙ Shadowed members of the parliamentary office, e.g. observing the work of select committees (Foreign Affairs).

The Education University of Hong Kong is one of eight subsidised tertiary level institutes provisioned for under the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong (UCG). During my time here, I worked in the busy Student Affairs Office, as the institute was transitioning to become a university, administrated by Hong Kong (SAR). 

∙ Awarded £2,000 of funding in the form of a Fung Scholarship.
∙ Proofread and edited various material from speeches to presentations, promotional leaflets to handbooks.
∙ Contributed to the monthly campus newsletter.
∙ Compiled a database of agencies and work opportunities for graduate students abroad.
∙ Revised and developed the Institute's existing 'LEAD programme' - a project to encourage communal awareness and charitable endeavours. 
∙ Designed and presented curricular enrichment courses on 'British culture' and 'conversational English.' This was met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from students.
∙ Delivered countless presentations, both in the office as part of the Tuesday 'morning meeting' and at the request of my supervisors.  
∙ Compiled a report comparing methods and models of arranging programmes, and getting the most out of them.

The Education University of Hong Kong

Summer Intern

Contributor: Stage, Comment and News (Trinity Term, 2015)
∙ Contributed three debate pieces on topical issues - e.g. 'Are Balls Too Expensive?'
∙ Reviewed a variety of student productions, from musicals to stage genres such as the 'Theatre of the Absurd.'
∙ Submitted comment pieces on popular movements - e.g. 'Let's Be Positive About Pride'

Deputy-Comment Editor (Michaelmas Term, 2015)
∙ Suggested and developed a feature for 'Lifestyle' section entitled 'Home or Roam,' and sourced interesting writers to contribute.
∙ Interviewed Eric Cantor at the Oxford Union. 

Comment Editor (Hilary Term, 2016)
∙ Commissioned, sourced and wrote up content for eight weekly editions.
∙ Took charge of a five-page spread: various opinion pieces, two interview sections, two features, a topical illustration and a debate piece.
∙ Averaged over 110 articles; all of which I proofread, provided titles for and fact-checked.
∙ Developed skills in software programmes, e.g. Adobe Photoshop and InDesign. 
∙ Interviewed  Baroness Warnock, Yiftah Curiel and Brendan O'Neill. 

Publicisation:
1) Use of social media to promote content, e.g. Facebook and Twitter.
2) Presentation, e.g. securing images, pull-quotes and formatting. 

Investigations Editor (Trinity Term, 2016)
∙ Composed and sent out various Freedom of Information Requests. 
∙ Requested and conducted interviews on short notice - e.g. 'NUS' 
∙ Carried out surveys with over 1,000 respondents. 
∙ Researched each subject with great care and attention to detail - e.g. 'Study Drugs' and 'EU'

A selection of my published articles may be found here:
http://www.cherwell.org/search/?query=patrick+mulholland

PDFs are also available on request.

Cherwell Newspaper, University of Oxford

Former Section Editor

Largest student-run political association of any university in Europe.

Committee Member (Trinity Term, 2015)
   ∙  Assisted in various events, from speakers to socials.
   ∙  Maintained the Association's inventory.
   ∙  Campaigned in the 2015 General Election.

Junior Officership: Communications Director (Michaelmas Term, 2015) 
   ∙  Managed communications to and from the Association.
   ∙  Regular emails detailing Association events and addressing member's queries.
   ∙  Commissioned a new banner for the Association.
   ∙  Updated website alongside other media platforms.

Senior Officership: Treasurer-Elect (Hilary Term, 2016) 
   ∙  Performed the first extensive revision of the membership mailing list in five years, making contact with over 200 current and former affiliates.
   ∙ Redrafted and updated online materials pertaining to the Association's history. 
   ∙ Raised £200 in fundraising.

Senior Officership: Treasurer (Trinity Term, 2016)
   ∙ Managed savings of up to £15,000.
   ∙ Handled a budget of £4,300 for a termly dinner. 
   ∙ Organised the budgetary side of various other dinners, e.g. John Major's address at the Oxford Union.
   ∙ Wrote cheques and transferred money between accounts, sometimes internationally - e.g. commissioned term cards from a Czech business. 
   ∙ Reformed accounting practices to ensure the Association remains in rude financial health. 
   ∙ Introduced the first comprehensive set of record-keeping instruments.
   ∙ Took great steps to ensure the appropriate documentation was in order for auditing.
   ∙ Interviewed Lord Heseltine on the prospect of Brexit. 
   ∙ Booked venues for events and guests, e.g. Kwasi Kwarteng, Graham Brady, Lord Heseltine, Lord Patten, Michael Dobbs, David Willetts and Brooks Newmark.

Patrick Mulholland