Student Review

I really enjoyed the Insight programme, especially the negotiation activity and the pro bono activity. We were given lots of opportunities to talk to other trainee lawyers and associates, as well as our fellow peers. The food was also very delicious, especially the evening dinner. All the staff were lovely too.

I felt very valued and included in the programme, by the other people on the programme and the staff. The senior partners, who spoke to us and ran some of the sessions, seemed genuinely interested in what we had to say and wanted to answer our questions. The Graduate recruitment team also answered all our work experience related questions.

Every stage of the programme was well-organised and guided by the Graduate recruitment team. We were not bored at any point throughout the programme and always had something to do/somewhere to go. If we had any questions or queries about the firm in general, the programme or anything else, they were answered promptly.

It helped a great deal with legal skills, firm insight and employability skills. We got to practice our negotiation, research, presentation and communication skills by completing tasks, such as sector presentations. We were spoken to by a variety of partners about corporate deals, sector insight and developments the firm. Finally, we got to speak to trainees for first-hand experiences of being a trainee lawyer; did a CV workshop; routes to the career.

It was extremely well-structured, every hour was planned out and we were given a booklet at the beginning of the scheme with a schedule in. Start and end times were emailed to us beforehand, which made it easy when planning travel home. We also got breakfast, lunch and snacks every day. We had dinner on two of the days.

It was friendly and inclusive atmosphere from start to finish. Everyone I met was very nice and I feel I have made friends for life. The staff were always welcoming and ready to answer all questions we may have had. They also remembered our names throughout the scheme.

Aside from the legal skills and employability skills we learnt, the firm showed their investment in us with all the hospitality they offered us. One evening we had an entire Italian restaurant to ourselves in Leadenhall market, with all the food paid for. We also had senior staff talk to us, which suggested they were genuinely interested in us and our future with the firm.

It helped to see what life might be like from when we start as trainees to when we become partners since lawyers from all areas of the business came to speak to us. We were not able to tour the office or complete any actual work, but given our stage in legal education, this would probably not be suitable for us.

It really helped us understand the culture of the firm because we spoke to individuals from across all levels of the firm and all gave off a similar vibe and friendly nature. This would what we saw is the culture of the firm. DLA is extremely friendly and welcoming.

The content of the days (three days in total) allowed us to see what life would be like as a trainee and as a partner. We were also given sector insights, and practice insights, so we could hear about life in the different practice areas. This is particularly important because tax law, for example, differs significantly from litigation.

We got all food throughout the programme and travel was reimbursed up to £100. I travelled in from Essex each day. If you lived more than an hour away you were given a hotel for the three days, fully paid for, by the firm.

Throughout the programme we were given plentiful opportunities to meet employees of the firm. We had a speed networking event with associates; a lunch with associates; networking dinner and drinks with trainees at firm. Partners also came to talk to us. We also got lots of time to talk to our fellow peers.

Very good and very well organised. Plenty of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and good food.

We learnt about the associate social events and we did a workshop on pro bono work.

It was so fun; loved it; learnt it a lot.