Vanessa Blake

Vanessa Blake, a previous recipient of the access programme, has shared her experiences as the Law Society invites applications for its first intake of 2025.

Ms Blake attended a DEIS secondary school in Limerick and credits both the DEIS programme and the Law Society’s access programme for making her university studies possible.

“I attended the University of Limerick for four years and I graduated in 2019 with a LLB (hons) degree in Law Plus,” she said.

“I was the first member of my family to complete third level education. As soon as I graduated, I began my studies for the FE-1s [solicitor entrance exams].”

She continued: “The first time I was introduced to the Law Society access programme was while I was studying at university.

“The access programme assisted me with my expenses. It contributed to and, in some instances, totally covered the cost of my travel and overnight stays in Dublin when completing the FE-1s and PPCI and PPCII [professional solicitor training courses].

“At the time I had a part time job with minimal hours, but the programme alleviated financial strains for me and enabled me to focus purely on my studies, which in turn allowed me successfully complete the FE-1s, and PPCI and PPCII.

“When I contacted the Law Society access programme team, I was reassured that all my fees would be covered, except for a small contribution which was to be made by me or my training firm.

“To add to this, I was also allowed assistance for overnight stays in Dublin, which we all know can be quite expensive, and travel expenses to commute between Limerick and Dublin.

“On foot of my graduation from the University of Limerick I was offered, and successfully completed, a training contract in Leahy Reidy Solicitors and was entered into the roll of solicitors in February 2024.”

Ms Blake added: “I am fortunate to work in a firm that exposes me to a wide area of legal practice together with working with solicitors that carry an abundance of experience.

“There is one thing I can say with confidence — had it not been for the Law Society access programme, I would not be where I am today.”

The Law Society access programme accepts applications twice a year with application deadlines every six months. The next deadline is Friday 16 May 2025.

For more information and to apply, visit Law Society Access Scholarship or email access@lawsociety.ie.