Insight Participant Review

This insight programme at DLA Piper was an incredible experience; it provided an interesting and engaging insight into the firm and the legal profession, with the opportunity to meet great people who I will absolutely keep in touch with! The Early Careers Recruitment Team really couldn’t have done a better job!

While there were another 80 odd people on the programme, I felt extremely valued by the graduate recruitment team. As well as the Early Careers Recruitment team, the partners who gave talks about their legal practices were all very engaged and spoke to us all before and after their talks.

I felt well supported on this insight programme. The Early Careers Recruitment team provided a good level of support before we joined the organisation, supplying us with a guidebook that covered a range of topics. Moreover, upon join the firm for the insight programme, we were provided with a great level of support and expertly guided throughout the activities and workshops.

The skills I developed and the information I received are very useful for my application next year as a summer intern. I learnt a lot of practical knowledge such as the different components of a deal, which could not be gained from textbooks. I also developed my presentation skills through our group project.

This insight was perfectly structured. When we arrived we received a full programme of every activity which was very useful. I was pleased that everything ran according to plan as it felt like everything had been extremely well planned. It was well structured as well as I felt that the first activities, such as the icebreakers put everyone at ease right away, rather than starting off with something more difficult.

The atmosphere was great. Everyone attending was really nice and the Early Careers Recruitment Team was very supportive. After we were taken out for dinner on the second day, a group of us went for a drink to get to know each other better which was indicative of the relationships I've formed on this insight.

Being that it was a first year insight programme I was not expecting any vast personal training, however, the scheme did help in the development of my understanding into a what a real career in law is like. All of the activities were aimed at our personal development and it was evident just how much the firm had invested in this scheme.

This insight helped me to understand what having a full-time role would be like. It was explained what our day of work may consist of and how many hours employees usually work. I also met a lot of current employees of the firm which gave me an idea of who I may be working alongside in the future.

The insight helped gravely in understanding DLA Pipers’ culture. It is diverse and inclusive. Indeed, while it is clear that the staff at DLA Piper work hard, nobody felt overworked or unsupported. The firm provides lots of opportunities to be involved in such as pro bono projects. there was a strong sense of community at all levels.

This experience at DLA Piper has entirely cemented my desire to be a commercial lawyer. All the people I spoke to were so intelligent and inspiring in their work, from corporate lawyers to the specialist pro-bono team. Working at DLA Piper would be a dream for the future after this experience.

I was reimbursed expenses during this insight programme and my accommodation was covered.

There was a lot of opportunities to meet other employees. Every day there were talks from different partners from the firm. We got to ask them any questions after they had finished which was useful. Also, during meals such as lunch often trainees would be in the room, networking with us.

Very enjoyable networking and social event opportunities at DLA Piper.

Yes, I found out about various activities that employees can get involved in outside of work.

Yes, 100% I would recommend this insight to a friend!