Mr Review

The variety of sessions offered ensured I enjoyed the 3 day insight scheme greatly. No two were the same. This kept me engaged throughout the programme. The insight was packed full of valuable information and experience I could not have got through a text book or article! The hands on workshops ranged from Speed Networking with associates to a Corporate workshop that highlighted the multifaceted role of a commercial lawyer.

DLA-Piper came across as a firm that valued my and the other first year (law) and second year (non-law) students’ presence on the programme. The graduate recruitment team made an incredible effort to ensure every student was accommodated for. Personally, my dietary requirements and disability were sensitively catered for. The partners and associates dedicated their time to talk to us, offering a wealth of knowledge, experience and tips. I left feeling like a part of the DLA-Piper team!

I received as much guidance/support as I needed. My travel expenses were covered by DLA-Piper and a hotel was provided for 3 nights in Central London, which was a short walk away from the offices. We were also provided with breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day. A particular highlight was the evening dinner at Giorgios.

During the insight, we were placed in groups of 5 for a Team project presentation. Each group was assigned a sector (mine was Life Sciences) and we had to research into it considering opportunities and threats over the next 5 years, as well as our strategy and vision for the sector. The research aided my analytical skills and presenting helped my team-work skilld and built my confidence. It was great practice for a Vacation Scheme and I'm glad we got to do a 'trial run'. I have learnt what I will do differently and what I did well. In the corporate workshop, my team was assigned the role of 'due diligence'. It is a exercise I had not done before and really enjoyed analysing the information provided to sort into the most serious risks. Finally, the information provided by partners in the various talks helped build my knowledge of Commercial Law and their respective sector. I feel like this will aid with my applications for vac schemes and training contracts, as I know a lot more about the firm now.

The insight was incredibly well structured. I could tell a meticulous amount of thought had been put into the order and content of sessions. We were not bombarded or overloaded with information, nor where there hours of talks on end. They were nicely broken up by workshops, ice-breakers and breaks.

Our first talk was with [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions], UK head and partner of Litigation and Regulatory. He gave us an insight into the firm, regular start/finish times, and the variety of work that's available to us. Like many others, he also provided us with personal experience of cases and projects he has been involved in, which helped give me an idea what it would be like working with DLA-Piper.

The sessions were, naturally, centered towards Commercial Law. It is an area I am increasingly interested in and I left feeling a lot more confident with it than when I arrived. I learnt about the various practice areas and the sectors that they operate in. I feel like I am in a better decision to decide on my future career path having taken part.

I was (or will) be reimbursed fully for my travel expenses. I think they cover up to the value of £100. I was also provided with a hotel room for three nights in Central London, which was only a short walk away from the offices. DLA-Piper was more than generous.

At the insight, there was a speed networking event featuring associates and trainees. I felt it was extremely valuable being able to query those who are in the position I want to be in the next 3/4/5 years. I made the most of it by asking about their personal progression, how the culture of the firm is, the working hours and then generally about the sector and practice area they work in. We were also joined by associates on the first day where there was a Pizza(!!) and Networking event in the evening.

I would definitely recommend this insight to a friend. When applying, there was nothing as comprehensive and exhaustive as DLA-Piper's first-year programme. Even then, it exceeded those expectations. I would recommend this to both those who are unsure about what they would like to go into and first-years that are already decided. There is so much you can take away from the three days.