Summer Intern Review

I have thoroughly enjoyed my internship with DLA Piper. Throughout the process, the firm has reiterated how friendly and welcoming its people are, and it has been very encouraging to experience this in reality. The internship perfectly combines a mixture of networking and social events, with a variety orf work and tasks across two departments. It is well designed to give you a true picture of the firm as a whole, and a realistic impression of the regional office that you work within.

Every single person from DLA Piper that I have interacted with over the course of the last three weeks has been very welcoming, and stressed how highly they value and appreciate the interns. When completing work and socialising with members of the firm, I have felt that my contributions have been valued.

The graduate recruitment team have been instrumental at providing support and guidance to the interns throughtout the whole process. Information was very well communicated, and had I encountered any issues, I know I would have been well supported when dealing with them. The internship also operates a buddy system, which is hugely beneficial. It is a good way to express any concerns prior to the internship, and it is very useful to have a designated familiar person who is there to answer any questions and guide you through the process. It is also useful in that it provides you with the opportunity to speak to someone other than your line manager, who you may not always feel comfortable discussing some things with.

The internship will no doubt assist me in the future. Having studied law, the internship gave me the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I had developed during my undergraduate degree to real life situations. The level of responsibility you are given, even as just an intern, is huge- but the support provided alongside this allows you to build on skills that will be useful to have in any career path.

From start to finish, the internship was very well structured. It balanced social and networking events with real life office work, as well as insight sessions into the firm and its practice groups. During the second week, there were a lot of social events and the presentation (and preparation in advance of it) meant that we had little time in our second seats to make a full impression. However, this was taken into consideration and couldn't be helped!

The atmosphere has been great, both when in London and in the regional office. Everyone has been very welcoming and approachable, and I have felt very privileged to intern at such a friendly firm. All members of staff (even those most senior) have been positive and honest, which meant that there was a welcoming atmosphere at all times.

During the first week, we received personal training that aided us in the internship and will no doubt assist me in later life. This included presentation skills and information about personal branding. When in the regional office seats, I received specific training according to the work needed to be completed within the seat.

I feel like the impression that I have been given of what it is like to work for DLA Piper on a full term basis has been very accruate and genuine. Sitting in the relevant teams means that you experience how the firm operates. Because all of the interns sit across different departments, our shared experiences meant that we received a full picture of the firm.

The company culture has been accurately portrayed from start to finish. The impression of DLA Piper that I had prior to the internship was cemented during my time here. Every member of the firm shares the same opinion of the culture, and emphasises how it sets the firm apart from its competitors.

Being able to sit in two different departments, and speaking to firm members across all practice groups and levels of seniority, has given me a very valuable insight into the life of a commercial lawyer. I feel the internship has given me a realistic impression of the career path of a lawyer.

We were paid very well for the internship. We also received expenses for travel, accomodation and food when in London for the first week. Whilst at the regional office, we were provided with breakfast and lunch each day, and tea at networking events. The firm were very generous!

There were several opportunities to meet with a whole range of people from across the firm. From those with an international role, to incoming trainees who went through the internship process just last year. There was a good mix of formal and informal networking events, as well as insight sessions that allowed you to meet employees of the firm based around the globe.

These events were fantastic! We were always provided with food and drink, and the types of events varied nicely. Employees of the firm from all levels of seniority were enthusiastically involved, and always happy to answer any questions. These events gave me a great insight into the culture of the firm.

I found out about the pro bono work that the firm takes part in, and even had the chance to visit and work with one of the charities that the firm is involved with. I also found out about the sports teams and events that the firm organises outside of work.

I would highly recommend anyone that its considering a career in law or in the commercial world to apply for an internship at DLA Piper. The opportunities it presents you with are unparalleled, and the skills you gain are invaluable. It provides an honest insight into the commercial world. I have really enjoyed my time at the firm.