Intern Review

I really enjoy the three weeks I spent at DLA Piper. I got the opportunity to experience life as an intern, performing tasks similar to what trainees are expected to be doing during their training contracts. I enjoy speaking to people in the different departments and also getting expose to different kinds of work throughout my time in the office.

I felt really valued and supported throughout the whole internship. I felt like I could easily ask questions and get help to complete my objectives. I also felt that my supervisor was interested in my opinions and thoughts on different matters that he was handling throughout my placement. I also felt the graduate recruitment team took into consideration my practice group preferences when assigning me to my department and my line manager.

I felt I was guided and supported just the right amount. I got the opportunity to work for my supervisor, but I was also encouraged to work with other people in my department. If I ever had a question or was having trouble with my computer or log in information there was always someone to help me resolve it promptly.

I feel this opportunity has helped me appreciate what I learned in my degree because even though the day to day aspects of being a lawyer are very different than academia. My background in law makes me familiar with the different resources and ways to search for the answer of a problem that might not even be legal but more related to the client's industry.

The insight was very well structure. I knew what was expected of me at every point in the three weeks. The organization really went smoothly from the moment we arrived in the London hotel to the time we left for our regional offices. Our departments and line manager set clear objectives we were supposed to achieve throughout the week, so that gave us a clear idea of what we have to do to be successful.

Overall the atmosphere was friendly and supportive. We were encouraged to talk to everyone at the firm and ask work from everyone in our departments. We were invited to attend department meetings as well as client calls. Overall everyone at the firm and the internship was friendly and that really reflects the culture and values of the firm.

I felt the company really invested time and effort on helping my personal training and development. We received a lot of presentations from different partners in different jurisdictions and practice groups. It was really great to have the opportunity to learn about their journeys and also to learn about the challenges/most rewarding aspects of their careers.

I feel that spending two weeks in different practice groups really helped me develop an understanding of what would be like to have a full time role with the company or the firm. I really feel I got an idea of the roles,responsibilities and work different people have in the different departments.

Even though everyone is unique and has their own way of working, overall everyone abides by the same values and therefore it is really easy to understand the company culture.

I felt that it really gave me a new perspective on how different applying the law is in practice compare to what you normally learn at University.

I was paid for working for three weeks. I was also reimbursed for my travel expenses and food expenses in London.

Yes. Many opportunities to network and meet other employees of the firm. we had specific insight sessions were different people form different practice groups would come and share their work with us.

We had a range of networking/ social event opportunities. We had both informal and formal opportunities to talk to partners, associates and trainees. We had dinners outside the office and drink reception at the offices.

Yes, everyone was really friendly and really open to share about their love for their job, the opportunities at the firm but also about the activities they do outside work. It really gives you an insight on why having work/life balance is so important and why people that have other interest outside the office are usually more successful in their careers.

Yes, I would definitely recommend this internship to a friend, because even if they are not sure if law is for them. They will get the opportunity to learn from very experience and senior people that have real passion for what they do in their every day lives. I think it is the best way to see if a career in commercial law is for you.