Summer Intern Review

I found this experience to be very enjoyable. The first week was a good introduction to the firm and allowed us to gain an insight into the different experiences and opportunities. I especially enjoyed the next two weeks, working in departments and getting to meet the teams, as I was given interesting work to do. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here.

Throughout this programme I felt valued. We were treated like equals throughout the process, with us being set tasks that were important and that demonstrated that they trusted us to complete the work by ourselves, irregardless of whether it would be checked or not, this helped to make me feel more valued to the firm.

Throughout this internship we were given the opportunity to seek support through the graduate recruitment team, where they constantly reiterated that if we needed any support then they could contact them. This was also demonstrated through the teams, where our line managers were always available to offer advice and guidance to tasks.

The internship helped to demonstrate some of the skills that we will need to demonstrate in university and the recommendations that I received on research techniques and sites will be extremely useful when it comes to research for university. The skills that I believe will be the most helpful are the networking skills given to us in a talk, these will be invaluable for the future.

This internship was amazingly structured, with a general comment from many interns being that the programme could not work if it was not as structured and organised as it was. The Graduate recruitment team did an amazing job at organizing this process and structured it seamlessly, with them ensuring that it ran smoothly and kept to the schedule.

Whilst at the beginning everyone was understandably nervous, everyone seemed to become more active and open as the weeks progressed, with everyone actively taking part and enjoying themselves by the end of the programme. This therefore meant that the internship felt more enjoyable, as you could tell that everyone was excited and enthusiastic.

It was apparent throughout the scheme the firm had invested in us all heavily, with senior members of the firm devoting time to talk to us and give us insights into their work. I also felt that my line managers invested in me, by giving me important work and giving me advice that will help me for the future.

Through working in the teams, I was able to see the types of work that they do and the workloads that they all have. Whilst I only gained an insight through this, I believe that talking to members of the teams significantly helped to give me an understanding of working at DLA Piper, by hearing anecdotes of extreme working hours, and experiencing the atmosphere of the firm.

Throughout the internship programme, I could tell that the four values were key to the company culture and that all members of the firm attempted to embody them. I could also tell that everyone was very opening and welcome throughout the process, including the senior partners, which meant that I was able to talk to them about the firm and know that I would receive honest answers.

I have believed for years that I wanted to become a lawyer and spending a few weeks in a large law firm helped to cement that idea in my mind and guarantee that I would want to work as a lawyer, ideally for DLA Piper in the future. It also gave me experience of the practice areas and what I could expect as a trainee.

We were paid well throughout this process, and during the first week we were given a generous amount of money for dinner that was reimbursed. We were also provided lunch throughout the internship and were given breakfast as well during the first week. We were also taken out for dinner twice, with some nights having drinks.

There were plenty of networking opportunities to meet the employees and trainees of the firm, including dinners, drinks and times where they came to talk to us during our free time. This was very useful as we were able to talk and network with many members of the firm, all at different levels of seniority, giving a good insight into the firm.

These opportunities were very enjoyable, with everyone being very welcoming and there being an atmosphere that we could ask any questions to the members of the firm. I thoroughly enjoyed all of these networking opportunities. Furthermore, throughout these events there was always a significant amount of food and drink provided, which ensured that everyone was satisfied.

We were given a clear insight into some of the opportunities that the firm offers outside work, including pro-bono and volunteering schemes and sports teams that everyone can get involved in. There was also a recommendation that when working for a large firm like DLA Piper that it is important to get involved in other activities, with different members of the firm giving us their experiences.

I thoroughly enjoyed this internship and whilst at times it was a bit stressful, I would definitely recommend it to a friend. It gave a good insight into the firm and ensured that we were aware of many opportunities that we would receive. The atmosphere was always welcoming and the internship programme was very enjoyable.