Summer Intern Review

The internship was 3 weeks in duration and involved a week induction in London followed by 2 weeks of work in a regional office. Each week you are sat in a different department and work is varied based on this. My seats were in Finance and Regulation, each day you interact with your supervising partner and will be assigned tasks for the week. Based on these it is your responsibility to manage your workload and ensure everything is completed

Over the course of the three week the main skills which were involved were Time management, Communication, Research and Problem Solving. In terms of time management, DLA is not a firm where you will be micromanaged, everyone is very busy and it is your own responsibility to manage your workload and meet deadlines. Communication is crucial, you will need to draft notes on research to your supervisor or even draft client notes, it is imperative that these are sufficiently succinct and clear. Finally research and problem solving are self explanatory, you will be given a wide variety of challenging tasks which require the use of both of these skills.

The firm dedicated a significant amount of time during the induction week to ensuring we understood the business model and structure. While complicated the matrix structure used by the firm can be easily understood by remembering two key principles, international and full service. The firm made clear the progression and roles available following the internship and how the firm would support us in the interim. It is clear that the firm have a much wider variety of roles available than most firms, with opportunities in different practice groups around the world and extensive secondment opportunities.

The firm culture is very positive. Everyone is keen to support you during the internship and asking questions is actively promoted. People are keen to let you experience their area of work so that we can get a taste of everything the firm has to offer. The firm promotes diversity and inclusivity at a strategic and ground level. The fee earners are almost all engaged in pro bono out of an institutionalised desire to give back. Everyone is very sociable with multiple drinks and social events organised over the course of the week

I had a great time during the internship, everyone was very supportive and while I suffered imposter syndrome at the outset, the trainees and graduate recruitment were supportive and encouraging. The huge amount of social opportunities help to remove the pressure and ensure that everyone is able to have a good time despite the tough work. The fact that we are exposed to real cases which significant has helped to keep me engaged and ensure I am rewarded with learning opportunities on a frequent basis.

Yes

I would say the key to succeeding in the application process is to get to know the firm and its values. Demonstrate you understand the firms international full service nature and you will be off to a good start. The firm uses a more holistic approach to applications than many firms, so where for example grades may rule you out from other firms DLA will give due consideration to the context in which they were acquired. Lean on your strengths and experiences to demonstrate just how suitable you are for the firm, pull out the experiences you gained from part time jobs and society positions and link them to your future role as a solicitor.