Training solicitors ‘will strengthen public sector’
The Law Society yesterday (20 November) welcomed solicitors from across the country to a half-day event dedicated to expanding solicitor-training opportunities within Government agencies, local authorities, and statutory bodies.
The Law Society described the Solicitor Training Contracts in the Public Sector Symposium as “a significant milestone” in the shared effort between the Law Society and public-sector organisations to expand access to solicitor training contracts.
The event is part of the organisation’s continuing commitment to supporting the public sector in developing training contracts, building a stronger legal talent pipeline, and increasing access to the profession.
The LSRA’s Breaking Down Barriers report, in its tenth recommendation, asked that public-sector agencies that routinely recruit solicitors be encouraged to establish direct trainee-intake schemes
‘Substantial benefits'
Throughout the morning, delegates heard from practitioners who have successfully implemented solicitor-training contracts within their organisations.
Speakers emphasised the substantial benefits of employing trainee solicitors within public-sector legal teams.
These include:
- Developing future-ready talent and supporting succession planning,
- Bringing fresh legal insight into increasingly complex areas of public administration,
- Supporting diversity, access, and inclusion across the profession,
- Strengthening organisational capacity, particularly where specialist knowledge is vital, and
- Creating long-term recruitment opportunities in an increasingly competitive market.
The speakers were:
- Kenneth Ruane (head of civil legal, An Garda Síochána),
- Pamela Benson (head of legal services, TUSLA),
- Samantha Gill (solicitor and mediator, Dublin City Council),
- Cian Doogan (Chief State Solicitor’s Office),
- Emma Kerr (Dublin City Council), and
- Ellen Kennedy (TUSLA).
Complex challenges
The event heard that public bodies faced complex legal challenges – from regulatory reform to digital transformation – and that the development of skilled, diverse, and well-supported trainee solicitors would be key to strengthening the sector into the future.
Attendees also received practical guidance on establishing or enhancing training programmes – from navigating regulatory requirements to integrating trainees effectively into multi-disciplinary teams.
T P Kennedy, Rory O’Boyle, and Ian Ryan (Law Society) also offered real-world insights into talent development, navigating the hybrid PPC structure, and creating inclusive training pathways.