Insight Programme Review

I really enjoyed the Insight Programme at DLA Piper, there were so many interesting talks and workshops from a range of trainees, associates and partners at the firm. Each event was really informative and engaging and the range of activities were really exciting, as well as the opportunities to socialise during breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I felt extremely valued during my time at DLA Piper, everyone was really friendly and welcoming. The Graduate Recruitment team made me feel especially welcome and that I could ask them any questions I wanted to. During the workshops and talks I felt that our contribution, in the form of answering and asking questions, was valued by the hosts of these events.

We received so much support and guidance during the programme from each member of the Graduate Recruitment Team. We were guided through each day and informed as to what each event entailed as well as where each event would take place. Furthermore, we were encouraged to participate during workshops and talks in order to get the most out of them.

The skills I developed and the information I received at DLA Piper will definitely help me in my degree studies, as well as in potential applications for law vacation schemes, more insight programmes and in a legal career more generally. The staff at DLA provided unique insight into what qualities are required to be a good lawyer, as well as a building the perfect CV workshop.

The Insight Programme was incredibly well-structured, the events flowed seamlessly and mostly started precisely on time. We had generous breaks scheduled throughout the day, where we were given coffee, tea and snacks. Each day started and ended on time, meaning that everybody could make their trains if they needed to.

The general atmosphere at DLA Piper was extremely friendly and welcoming. The graduate recruitment team, as well as all trainees, associates and partners that we met during the programme were very enthusiastic about working for DLA Piper and encouraged us to make the most of the Insight, in terms of asking questions and participating in workshops.

In terms of personal training and development, DLA Piper really invested in each of us during the Insight Programme. Throughout the three days, I was able to take part in really useful workshops, which enabled me to see how I should develop my commercial awareness, as well as how I should develop skills in communication, team work and attention to detail.

The Insight Programme really helped me to understand what it would be like to have a full time role with DLA Piper, I met many trainees, associates and partners who thoroughly explained what their day-to-day work involved as well as their usual workload and how much they enjoyed working at the firm.

The Insight Programme was extremely helpful in giving me an understanding of the company culture, as I was able to network amongst DLA's employees and when I asked what they felt the culture at the firm was, they all gave a similar answer that DLA was extremely friendly and that everyone was really approachable, which I found to be true too.

The content of the Insight Programme was invaluable in helping me decide on my future career path, as it encouraged me, as a non-law student, to pursue a career in law. Through doing the programme, I was able to see what being a lawyer entailed and it made me decide that it is a career I am really interested in.

I was not paid or reimbursed expenses during the Insight Programme but this was because I do not live far away from DLA Piper's London office, so it did not cost me much to travel each day and I did not have to stay in a hotel. We were also provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner all three days.

There were many opportunities for networking and meeting other employees of DLA Piper, we had networking lunches and dinners each day, where trainees and associates were present to answer our questions and talk to us about their lives at the firm. Furthermore, we had group networking sessions, where we were able to ask many different associates from each legal sector questions.

The networking and social events during the Insight Programme were really well organised, we had more structured sessions where the Graduate Recruitment team timed how long we spent with each trainee or associate so that we could talk to as many as possible, as well as less structured sessions where we were able to walk around and talk to many different groups.

I found out about many opportunities that employees at DLA Piper have to get involved in Pro Bono work and charitable activities, to the extent that they want to. Furthermore, I talked to many trainees about the sociable events that the firm organises outside of work and the many opportunities they have to socialise.

I would absolutely recommend DLA Piper's Insight Programme to a friend, it helped me to see, as a non-law student, that a legal career is something I definitely want to pursue. The Programme gave me substantial and invaluable insight into what being a lawyer would entail, as well as useful information and guidance for future applications for other insights and vacation schemes.