Paralegal Review

The vacation scheme at DLA Piper was excellent. The graduate recruitment team were incredibly organised and made sure that our time on the scheme was filled with insight talks from each practice group, networking events, seminars and work-based activities / projects. The scheme was fully structured and despite the technical difficulties that the firm was experiencing during the scheme following its cyber attack, all scheduled events occurred. I particularly felt like the firm valued the vacation scheme, and as I had taken time off work to attend, it was reassuring to know that there was a genuine interest and investment in my career progression. I would highly recommend a vacation scheme at DLA Piper to any student or graduate wishing to pursue a legal career.

I felt respected and highly valued during my time on the scheme and there was a real investment of time to ensure that we got the best experience as possible in both exposure to client work, the different practice groups and its culture. All lawyers I spoke to took a genuine interest in my current stage of study and career aspirations. In addition, during each insight talk, partners referred to the vacation scheme as employing the "future of the firm".

During the vacation scheme, all students were given a booklet which included, amongst other things, a contacts page of the graduate recruitment officers. We were told that should any issues arise to give them a call and they would provide us with assistance. As averred to above, the cyber attack occurred during the scheme which meant that in our office we had to use our contacts and liaise directly with the graduate recruitment team to set up videoconference calls, for example. At all times we were provided with the support we needed to ensure that we could access the scheduled events.

I have finished my degree and currently work as a paralegal in the legal profession in a particular area of law. The information I received was helpful in that I got exposure to different practice groups I have not experienced before which allowed me to get a feel for the type of variety a trainee is offered at DLA Piper.

The insight could not have been structured better during the DLA Piper vacation scheme. All students were provided with a handbook at the start so that we knew exactly what we would be doing over the three weeks of the scheme. It also set out how we would be assessed and had a student directory to assist us with getting to know each other. At no time did I feel or get the impression that I did not know what I was doing or where I should be: the agenda and expectations were clear from the outset.

The general atmosphere was very friendly, but most importantly, very inclusive. I only applied for three law firms to do a vacation scheme at and I only applied to firms with good diversity and equality initiatives. During the time at DLA Piper, it was clear that all differences are respected and this was evident from the senior management team who addressing the topic at the outset of the scheme and also in the office. In particular, during our time in the office we were invited to a talk about the Iris initiative which supports the LGBT community and it was clear then for me that the firm is genuinely putting measures in place to combat diversity issues in the community both on a local and global level.

The insight enabled me to understand what it would be like to have a full time role at the company because we were given two weeks to spend in a practice group of our choice. We were each assigned a supervisor in the team and given work that typically a trainee would carry out. This was very important because it meant that it was made clear what type of work I could expect to be given at any one time if I was to start work a trainee.

It was most insightful speaking to the lawyers during our latter two work experience weeks of the vacation scheme. This is because we had the opportunity to speak to get to know the lawyers carrying out the work and ask questions on what they were currently involved in. This was particularly important for me because it evidenced that the work is good quality and for prestigious clients.

The DLA Piper graduate recruitment team informed us before the assessment centre and vacation scheme that all travel expenses would be covered - and they were. I also understand that the firm even payed for students travel from overseas to ensure they could attend the scheme. The firm paid us a weekly wage and for the first week paid for every student not in the London office to reside in a hotel in Zone one. We were all given a food allowance per day but also taken out for a four course meal.

Yes, lots of opportunity. DLA Piper paid for all vacation scheme students to spend the first week of the three week scheme in its London office. This meant that from the outset students were networking with each other from different offices and also staff in the London office. This was really important because it supported its One UK culture and it was evident in the departments that people did work with each other both nationally and on a global basis.

Yes, we were informed about the firms strong pro-bono culture. Each office has a pro-bono officer and staff are encouraged to get involved in the local community by taking part in pro-bono events. There are even a small team of pro-bono lawyers that work specifically for those without means and providing advice to charities, for example.