Virtual Summer Vacation Scheme Programme at DLA Piper Review

Although the vacation scheme was conducted in unusual circumstances due to the pandemic, the graduate recruitment team worked very hard to make it an informative and personable week. It was a disappointment that the scheme was not as originally planned, but the virtual scheme was organised very well, with numerous talks from lawyers including senior partners to trainees. The scheme also involved the opportunity to engage with fellow interns and take part in a group project. Overall, it was very good!

DLA Piper throughout the process have always been amazing hosts and this continued into the vacation scheme with the atmosphere being very welcoming. Everyone was approachable, honest and demonstrated the culture at the firm very well. We were made to feel like a big family, even though we were all over the world and did not know each other.

Again, due to COVID-19, the team were limited in the support they could provide but this did not stop them from ensuring the scheme was well structured and interesting at all times. Before and during the programme we were contacted by the Graduate Recruitment team to ensure we were doing well and they were always understanding of any difficulties.

As the scheme was entirely virtual, we did not have the opportunity to gain the traditional experience. The scheme included talks, Q&As and presentations, meaning we learnt primarily about the firm. Nevertheless, the group presentation at the end of the week gave us a great opportunity to gain team working and communication skills.

Overall, the scheme could not have been structured any better. During the week-long experience, we were given the schedule with plenty of time to prepare for each day of the scheme. It was filled with sessions with genuinely interesting and interested people at the firm, making the experience authentic. That being said, the assessments were not communicated until later in the week, so that did cause some confusion, but this was made flexible to cater to all participants.

The entirety of the week was very lively and welcoming, and the participants on the scheme were also very friendly and open, even during the group task. The sessions were run by people with a genuine interest in speaking with us and this made the scheme authentic and easy going.

Given the circumstances, it was understandable that it would be very difficult for DLA Piper to provide the training and development expected during these schemes. But the team worked around this very well by running sessions that gave us the opportunity to be inquisitive and learn more about the industry.

The entire scheme was helpfully structured to be an insight into the firm and the life as a trainee, and this meant we saw how DLA's values run throughout the firm. Also, from speaking directly to trainees, both in the scheduled sessions and from the 'buddy system', we saw what it would be like to train and work for DLA.

Throughout the insight, it was apparent that there is a strong atmosphere of supportiveness, collaboration, boldness and excellence, as well as that of inclusivity and diversity at the firm. This is seen from all its people, of which we spoke with a great variety from all levels of the firm.

As I am already firmly set on pursuing a legal career, this was something that the scheme would have only reaffirmed. Nevertheless, we were given a good understanding of the kind of work undertaken in each seat/practice area. However, this virtual internship scheme could have included some session with an insight into the actual work and thought process of lawyers and trainees when completing legal work.

The reimbursement provided by DLA Piper is competitive, therefore, supported people from different socio-economic backgrounds. The contract of employment was amended following the change to the programme structure as a result of COVID-19, so this changed the reimbursement to cater for the change (which was reasonable). The expenses are very prompt.

The entire week was built on meeting members of the firm, from senior management and partners to trainees and everyone in between. We were also assigned a 'buddy' who was also very helpful as I could ask them questions and get to know the firm and its work culture even better.

The networking was inevitably more difficult due to its virtual nature and the fact we couldn't physically meet people. However, DLA made a great effort to introduce the interns to many of its employees and even held a 2-hour networking session to allow this to be even easier and varied.

The scheme included numerous sessions on the activities available to all employees, not just the lawyers. This included the employee networks, including IRIS, LAW, MOSAIC and PACT, to social clubs like office choirs, sports and art sessions. Not only this, there are also social benefit networks such as pro-bono and non-billable work opportunities, like charity work.

100%. The scheme was interesting, fun and well structured with many opportunities to meet its current employees and ask any questions we might have. The variety in the week-long programme enables interns to build their networks within the firm and across the wider profession, and challenges them through a variety of group activities and assessments.