Jason Laverty

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to choosing your degree. 

It came one year after completing my Leaving Certificate.  I had spent a year on a temporary contract with Donegal County Council as admin in the Debtors Management Section of the Finance Unit.  Within this, I dealt with commercial and water rates and found myself involved with the legal section within the Department which had sparked my interest in the Law.

What was your overall experience of studying at ATU Donegal?  

My experience at ATU was great.  The course itself was interesting with a variety of modules within the degree.  I enjoyed the variety of modules within each semester and found the lecturers to be very helpful and facilitating.  They made the experience more enjoyable and less daunting.  Each lecturer was approachable and supportive if I had any questions.  Also, being near to home was a massive benefit to me.  I am a home bird and did not enjoy the prospect of travelling to study so the chance to do the course I wanted at home was great.

Why did you choose to study your programme? 

In reality, I initially thought I would like to be a teacher however following my year within Donegal County Council after my Leaving Certificate I realised this was not for me and I had a keen interest in law and indeed the practice of law.  When I heard that ATU done a three year Honours Law Degree this suited me as I have already stated I did not want to leave home to study.

Were you part of any student clubs and societies, an award winner, or a scholarship recipient? 

I was a member of the Law Society during my three years within our LLB Group however it was not for all of the experience.  I received an award in the Human Rights module of the course from lecturer Cormac Conaghan.

Did you have any unique experiences while being a student at ATU Donegal? 

I completed work experience as part of my degree during my third year.  There was the option of doing Street Law which was a new course within the degree at the time or work experience.  As I had an interest in the practice of law I decided to opt for work experience.  I did a 13 week placement in Browne & Co Solicitors in Letterkenny being one Monday per week for 13 weeks.  Fortunately for me, following this placement I was offered a Job in Browne & Co Solicitors where I have remained since.

Can you share some details of your career path and/or further studies to date? 

Following my Graduation, I was lucky enough to have been offered a job in Browne & Co Solicitors.  The following year after my graduation I began studying for the FE1 Entrance Exams to the Law Society.  These are a set of eight exams which take place twice a year in the Red Cow Moran Hotel in Dublin.  I ordered the past exam papers and Examiners guidance notes and used these in conjunction with my notes I obtained throughout my degree in the evenings at the office.  The partners in the office allowed me to use the space in the evenings after work to study.

I, not knowing otherwise, sat all eight FE1 Exams on my first sitting.  At that time, you had to obtain at least three to allow you to carry them to the next sitting an avoid having the repeat all.  I passed six out of the eight on my first sitting and sat the following two on the next sitting which I passed.  

Following this I had applied for my place in the Law Society’s Professional Practice Course.  In order to apply for these courses you have to have a Training Contract in place with a firm of Solicitors who will allow you to train within their practice for two years whilst you undergo your PPC courses.  There are two courses you have to undertake within the Law Society known as PPC1 and PPC2 to allow you to proceed to qualify as a Solicitor.  These take place on campus in Blackhall Place, Dublin 7 however I was fortunate once again in that the Law Society had developed a new “Hybrid” PPC1 & PPC2.  This was a new programme offered to graduates, mainly outside Dublin, to undertake their Professional Practice Course mainly online with your on campus Lectures taking place on a Friday and Saturday.  

The course combined online recorded lectures, ‘live’ online tutorials and skills workshops together with onsite face-to-face tuition.  I, being a home bird, opted for this option as it meant the majority of my study would take place at home and allowed me to continue to work full time.  Lectures were released online and you could avail of same on demand in the evening time after work which I done.  The Practical Elements of the Course such as Advocacy and some Lectures took place mainly at the weekend sittings on campus once a month.  You have examinations at the end of each of your PPC1 and PPC 2 in a variety of both core and elective modules which you must pass in order to progress.  

As I have said, you have a two year training contact to complete also however the benefit of doing PPC Hybrid was that the period in which you spent in the office whilst doing the course meant you obtained credit towards the two year training period.

After completion of the PPC Hybrid Course, passing of exams and completion of your training contract I applied to be registered on the Roll of Solicitors and obtained my Practising Certificate as a Practising Solicitor in January, 2023.  I am still employed in Browne & Co., Solicitors LLP in Letterkenny.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us? 

The journey is long but stick with it, you get there in the end!  It can be expensive, but the Law Society offer a variety of Grants and Scholarships so keep an eye out for them.  I applied and was successful in obtaining the Small Practice Traineeship Grant.   The scheme provides funding of €18,000 to the training firm over the course of the two-year training contract.  It will also provide funding of €7,000 to the trainee solicitor by way of a discount on the Professional Practice Course (PPC) fee.  There is a variety of options available without having to relocate. "
 

To find out more about the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in LLB programme on offer at ATU Donegal visit, atu.ie/AU310