Insight Scheme Review

The insight was online this year and so we would log on to zoom in the morning and run through a jam packed program of workshops and talks which aimed to strengthen our applications to DLA Piper and to other commercial firms. We frequently had chances to ask questions to panels of trainees as well as senior members of the firm. Graduate recruitment made sure to give us plenty of breaks and ensure the scheme stayed energetic.

One of the most useful elements of this Insight was hearing from the various speakers about ways in which to develop my commercial awareness. This involved identifying good sources of commercial news while also giving tips on how best to structure my attempts at developing commercial awareness. The firm also provided us with the opportunity to identify our personal motivations and rank law firm based on how good a choice they are for us, in an impartial way.

The firm has a very complex structure which it was very useful to have simplified and explained to us. I now have a far better understanding of the ways in which DLA Piper operate and how best to identify which areas to apply to. The grad recruitment team were excellent at sharing the various roles available and how we could move forward following the event by applying for their internship program or potentially a training contract.

The culture was certainly unique, the team were very energetic and bubbly in a way that I haven't ever experienced from a law firm. Everyone seemed confident to be themselves and the firm seem to have a very open minded culture. We learned about their LGBTQ+ network, their gender equality network, their racial equality network and their parents/carers network. The firm seemed to encourage getting involved in projects we are passionate about.

Wholly, the Grad recruitment team were very bubbly. The speakers and workshops which were organised were very engaging and at no point did it feel like a drag, something which cant be said about many virtual schemes. The fellow participants were all very nice and having connected with many of them on Linkedin I feel like I've had the opportunity to make new friends of potential future colleagues. Overall a very enjoyable experience that I'd recommend to anyone.

Yes

Be genuine on your application, the team want your personality to shine through, don't worry about over selling your achievement and don't hold back anything that you think is relevant. Look at the firms values and their focus areas, understand what type of firms they are and relate this to your interests. Are you passionate about any ESG issues and can you link it to any of DLA Pipers work, this will strengthen your application.