First Year Insight Programme Review

I incredibly enjoyed the First Year Insight Programme at DLA Piper. The programme as a whole was put together professionally by the Graduate Recruitment Team and was filled with a variety of activities and talks from current graduates, trainees and partners which all helped to give a better insight into the types of works the firm deals with and the clients they work with.

I strongly believe that I was valued within the firm by the Graduate Recruitment Team and their colleagues such as the trainees and partners. I was felt welcomed the moment I stepped foot inside the firm. The people at the reception desk were also very helpful in assisting me to the correct rooms on each day. During my time at DLA Piper I felt as though I was treated like one of the people working within the firm despite only being a first year student. This made me feel incredibly positive about the way in which the firm treats both its guests and employees.

I received a phenomenal amount of support and guidance during my time at DLA Piper and believe that each and every aspect of it will be very beneficial for my future career path in law. I was able to ask questions to current trainees and partners about their involvement within the firm and the types of work they dealt with in the areas they specialised in. I believe that being provided with such an opportunity is wonderful as I was able to gain further insight into the firm and go beyond and gain more information than what is supplied on the firms website.

The skills I gained during my 3 days at DLA Piper will definitely be very useful during my legal journey. This is because across the 3 days I was able to partake in a variety of different skills sessions some of which developed some core skills and others which helped me to come out of my comfort zone. I believe that as a law student having such opportunities are fundamental throughout both studying law as a student and actually gaining access to skills that would be useful when working in a law firm.

The First Year Insight Programme was structured really well. The hospitality provided by the Graduate Recruitment Team was outstanding. Everything was well thought and each day was packed with different activities and skills sessions followed by partners specialising in a variety of areas. The fact that I was only there for 3 days and had witnessed how structured DLA Piper was just proved to me why its continuing to be such a competitive firm within the legal sector as not only with its hospitality but also with the types of areas and works they deal with they are a well-structured firm!

From the moment I stepped foot into the firm to the last moment that I had to say my goodbyes to the Graduate Recruitment Team the whole atmosphere was incredibly positive. I believe that the Graduate Recruitment Team did an incredibly great job to ensure that this was the case and that everyone including myself who took part in this wonderful opportunity had an outstanding time!

As it was only a First Year Insight Programme, I didn’t gain personal training as I was only there for 3 days. However, from the answers I received from current trainees I could tell that there has been a phenomenal amount invested in trainees to ensure that they succeed during their legal journey. The firm provides interesting opportunities such as pro-bono initiatives and allowing their trainees to actually take a seat in pro-bono, I found this to be increasingly effective as DLA Piper are the only firm who allow their trainees to have such an opportunity which shows the amount they invest in their trainees.

I gained a full insight as to what would be expected of me if I were to work within the company in the future. This actually made me want to apply to DLA Piper as I was provided with a lot of information and the different ways in which I could gain a job at the firm. The partners were very helpful in ensuring that I received a good understanding of what was expected as an employee and the ways in which everyone in the firm works together to ensure that the firm is run efficiently.

Having the opportunity to speak to the Graduate Recruitment Team, current graduates, trainees and partners I was able to gain full access and idea into understanding the company culture and the works the firm valued. I was able to gain further insight into the corporate responsibility of the firm. Although, there is information provided about this on the firms website, having to hear inclusive information is what made me gain a deeper understanding of the culture within the firm.

I found both the content and the way in which everything was set out to be very effective and beneficial. This is because there was a number of activities and skills sessions to take part in and I was able to ask trainees if I struggled at a certain point, having heard their suggestions was very useful as I began to adjust to ways in which they thought and again I believe that this would be an incredible skill for my future career path in law.

I was reimbursed adequately for this experience and was provided with accommodation too. The hospitality provided by DLA Piper was incredible. During my 3 days I felt very safe and taken good care of whether this be within the firm or during my time at the hotel. Everything was organized professionally and was thought out really well by the Graduate Recruitment Team

During my time at DLA Piper I was given the opportunity to network with a number of colleagues within the firm. I hd the chance to speak to current graduates who had recently secured a training contract as well as a number of trainees in different seats and years. I was also given the opportunity to speak to partners and ask them questions I had about the firm!

I honestly think that the networking and social events that DLA Piper provided throughout the 3 days I was there for was incredibly outstanding. On the second day I was able to attend a networking dinner which I felt was very kind of the firm which was also another great opportunity to network with the Graduate Recruitment Team!

I found out that employees are able to get involved in a number of different activities outside of work. At DLA Piper they have a work/life balance and that to me is very important as there is time to do other things outside of work such as volunteering and getting involved in other projects as well as taking time out if needed too!

I would strongly recommend the First Year Insight Programme to any First Years studying law and those who are in their 2nd year studying a course that is not to do with law. Having attended this incredible Programme made me realise that the firm has a positive outlook on Diversity and Inclusion and opens its door to a variety of people as they are aware of its importance! This is one of the main reasons why DLA Piper stands out for me as a firm and as a leading global law firm amongst other law firms!