Intern Review

I have very much enjoyed my time at DLA, not only did I get given the opportunity to work on real and current cases doing meaningful work, but everyone I have met over the course of my time here has been welcoming, helpful and considerate of my lack of experience and actively attempted to help me learn and develop over the course of my placement.

Coming in to a firm as large as DLA Piper I was concerned that providing me with quality work and interacting with me would not be seen as a priority. This was far from the case, not only did I feel valued in relation to my contributions in the workplace, I was also made to feel welcome at the various social events DLA organised.

Despite the amount of work being done in the office, at no point did I feel worried or anxious to ask questions to those around me during my stay in the Birmingham office. Everyone was very understanding of my lack of experience and my need to develop and gave me challenging and meaningful tasks to work on.

I have had the opportunity to develop a variety of legal-oriented and soft skills during my time at DLA, being able to experience the preparation and giving of a group presentation in a professional context, the opportunity to independently analyse and research projects and even complete a first draft of a settlement agreement.

The structure was very well organised. The first week in London gave the opportunity to learn not only about DLA as a business, but to better understand their culture and some of the training they gave have been very useful over the latter two weeks in the respective offices. The ability to experience two separate departments over the two weeks allows you to meet a variety of people within the office as well as gain access to different areas of work you may be interested in.

The general atmosphere was very positive. Everyone in the teams I sat in over the course of my internship was welcoming, friendly and willing to help with any problems or worries that I had and this positive atmosphere also extended beyond the core teams to the catering and support staff.

We were given a variety of training in the induction week at the London office on networking, presentation skills and the considerations for DLA when in the working environment. In addition to this, the group project we were given allowed us to practically develop our presentation and teamwork skills.

During my time at DLA I have been given access to a variety of trainee-level tasks, as well as being granted the ability to meet lots of partners and people i would interact with on a daily basis in a full time role. In addition to this, the approachable culture of DLA has been something I have experienced since my very first day.

My time at DLA has allowed me to achieve an understanding of how DLA operates as a business externally as well as how it treats its employees and the work environment that it creates.

The day-to-day experiences have allowed me to understand what it is to work at a commercial law firm, as well as more generally in a business environment. The skills I have developed since starting here will stand me in good stead for any future career path I take with DLA or otherwise.

I was paid more than adequately for my time working at DLA, alongside having expenses paid for in relation to the week's experience in London all the way from accommodation to food and beverages during the course of the stay.

I have had plenty of access to meet the people working in the office from the partners to the trainees be that from simply arranging meetings to discuss their practice areas to social events organised by the firm.

These opportunities allowed great access to meet a variety of individuals from various backgrounds, and the London induction specifically was extremely enjoyable as an opportunity to meet various other interns from different regions you would not otherwise have an opportunity to meet.

I found out of a range of activities that are available outside of work, relating to sports teams and other social events that are available to trainees and other employees alike.

I would definitely recommend an internship at DLA to a friend and anyone else for that matter. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience where I felt respected and valued throughout my time in a way that I was not expecting during a temporary placement.