Intern Review

I really enjoyed the DLA Piper vacation scheme. The first week was a nice gateway with all 100 interns in the London office participating in networking sessions and listening to talks by various partners and guests in order to understand the firm's identity. The final two weeks were spent in two practice area seats where we got to do real work in order to assist clients. This was a valuable vacation scheme and helped developed my skills greatly.

I felt extremely valued during my three weeks at the firm. Everyone is genuinely really nice and welcoming from secretary to partner. At DLA Piper they don't treat you like a stereotypical intern, forcing you to do printing or make coffee; they are genuinely interested in who you are as a person, your work ethic and the potential that you hold which can add value to the firm.

I received a tremendous amount of guidance and support during the three week vacation scheme. The Graduate Recruitment Team are very understanding and support if anything comes up during the working day that you must attend (i.e. graduation, job interview) and the line managers are at the ready to provide you guidance if you have any questions in regards to the work you are assigned in week two and week three. Everyone at the firm truly wants to see you succeed.

The skills I developed and information I received during the vacation scheme will definitely assist me in my degree studies and beyond. Working at the firm in two different practice area departments showed me not to limit myself in what I pursue as the theoretical academia you learn at university is not a good representation of what you do in practice, thus you should be more open. Additionally, my soft professional skills have definitely developed as a result of the many networking and Q&A sessions that were hosted over the three weeks.

I would say that the vacation scheme was pretty well structured. The first week being utilized as a firm induction is a really smart idea as it ensures all the interns are on the same page and allows them to meet one another before they spread out throughout the various offices. It would be nice to have a few more events during week two and three, but otherwise the structure and layout was done very well.

The general atmosphere and the company culture of DLA Piper was one of the best things about this internship. Despite being a leading global law firm everyone is so friendly, and more often than not someone will always be willing to help. There is a genuine team spirit in/between the offices.

In terms of personal training and development, DLA Piper spent a great deal and truly invested in the interns. An induction week was held in the London office in which we had various talks/presentations,networking events, and workshops which were implemented in order to ensure all interns understand the firm's values and goals, as well as be aware of the skills necessary in an up and coming business professional. With the amount of time they spent on us, it demonstrates that the firm views interns as a long-term investment for the future.

All the fee earners at the firm were really open and honest about what it is like to work at DLA Piper in a full time role, their career paths, the work/life balance and their specialties. Additionally, working in the office for two weeks gives you a first hand insight into what firm life is like, especially at trainee level.

The vacation scheme definitely helped me in understanding the firm's culture. To me a firm's culture is really important because if you don't enjoy where you work, you won't enjoy work at all. DLA Piper really allowed us to see their friendly vibrant culture over the three weeks, sharing with us their company values and their dedication to them.

The content of the three week vacation scheme really helped me in deciding my future career path. Interning at the firm really demonstrated to me that the theoretical academia you learn at university does not parallel well with what you actually do in practice; as a result of this internship I found a love for a field of law that I would consider doing a training contract seat in that I actually really disliked at university. I feel like interning at DLA piper was also great because it allowed me to show myself that I can actually do it; it helped me build confidence within myself and helped make me feel like I fit in well in this profession.

The firm was very generous in terms of reimbursement. Travel to and from the London office for the first week induction was fully reimbursed and if you were an intern who was from one of the regional offices you were put up in a hotel in London free of charge. Additionally, when we weren't having dinner with the firm during the first week we got a £20 allowance for dinner. Every day during the first week we were given breakfast and lunch. When relocation to our allocated offices for week two and three we were provided an office canteen allowance so we could have a hot lunch meal every day and on top of that, we were provided with a £15 pret a manger gift card to go and spend for a lunch with our trainee buddy.

Every day at the firm had a minimum of one networking opportunity varying from formal networking dinners with partners to sitting with employees during lunchtime and chatting about their work. Networking is encouraged from the outset, and although it sounds daunting you are gradually introduced to it so it doesn't feel particularly overwhelming.

Networking opportunities do vary from office to office, but the firm is generally very social, and there are plenty of social events arranged - particularly during the first induction week in London. Other than that team lunches are quite common and trainees often arrange informal dinners or drinks where we can talk to each other in a less formal setting.

This may vary from office to office, but at the Sheffield office we were definitely provided with loads of information about activities employees can get involved in outside of work. If walking into your first official day at the office and witnessing a charity chocolate cake competition isn't a statement, I don't know what is. The firm has both global and office specific charities they support which we got to learn a lot about and participate in the running of the charity related events. Additionally, we had a diversity breakfast where representatives from all the internal organisations such as PRISM and LAW came to speak to us and tell us what they do. Finally, from speaking to various trainees and associates you hear about organised sports activities and social events that take place on a regular basis.

I would definitely recommend the DLA Piper vacation scheme to a friend. It is very well-structured and although the work can be challenging it is an accurate reflection of what life as a full-time employee at the firm is like. Above all though the people are genuinely welcoming, and I never felt as if there was a hierarchy within the workplace where partners were seen as unapproachable.