Summer Internship Programme Review

The Summer Internship Progrsamme held by DLA Piper is truly unique, in being held acorss their seven UK offices, their Hong Kong office and also one of their offices in Australia (even the internships/vacation schemes are global)! I have thoroughly enjoyed the internship, as I have met some truly inspirational people, learnt a great deal about the firm, had access to some incredible work, and have also had a truly wonderful time throughout.

Despite being a commonly used stereotype for organisations, DLA Piper does feel like a huge family. I cannot find a negative thing to think or say about anyone within the organisation. Every single person welcomed me and was constantly on-hand whenever I had any questions, needed some help, or even just felt like a chat.

This was constant throughout the Summer Internship Programme. I was actively encouraged from the start to finish to ask questions and seek support whenenever unsure about anything I was doing. From support staff to partner, everybody was so accessible and easy to speak to, offering a great deal of support and guidance.

I was told by [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyPlacement Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] during the first week of the internship that every fortnight you should reflect on how much you have stepped out of your comfort zone within the past two weeks. A constant aim should be to increase the frenquency of this, as doing so boraden's your perspective. Within the past three weeks of the internship I have found this advice extremely valuable.

Extremely. You are given an extremely organised itinerary on the first day of the induction. This was extremely thoughtful and useful, as it really helped me manage my time around the internship. If there were any changes whatsoever, we would be notified immediately via our outlook calendars, which was really useful.

Very friendly and down to earth. This completely reflected DLA Piper's culture. I never felt out of place or uncomfortable, as there was quite thankfully never any need to. This comfortable and quite relaxed atmosphere aligned perfectly with the professional behaviours you would expect, and desire, within a formal working enironment.

Within the three week period available for the Summer Internship Programme, I cannot think of anything more DLA Piper could have done to aid personal training and development. This ranged from workshops and activities designed to further develop interpersonal skills/relationships to those to increase our legal/commercial skills (for example, engaging in a simulated client pitch).

The Summer Internship Programme significantly helped me understand what it would be like to have a full time role with DLA Piper. This was achieved via the two week period spent in two different teams within our 'home locations' (one of the seven offices we had applied to for the internship, after spending four days in London for the induction). I was given relevant, intellectually stimulating legal tasks usually given to trainee solicitors throughout the two weeks, and was given various opportunities to integrate into the teams I was working with.

The Summer Internship Programme with extremely helpful in confirming my initial thoughts about DLA Piper's culture. Before undertaking the internship, I had already discovered that DLA Piper is an extremely friendly, down-to-earth firm (based on the individuals whom I had previously met from the firm). Thankfully, the internship did nothing less than confirm and exceed my initial thoughts about their culture. My greatest piece of advice would be to always network as much as you can with individuals from firms you are interested in applying to, before applying (and not just fee earners - support staff, marketing teams and human resource teams make up a large proportion of each firm).

The content of the internship was incredibly valuable in further confirming that I wish to be a commercial lawyer. This was because prior to the internship, I had not gained such relevant experience, to the same quality, at any other firm. As a result of thoroughly enjoying the work I was given and every other experience throughout the internship, I found that I now do not have any doubts about my future career path.

This was extremely kind of DLA Piper. As I was not able to work alongside the three week internship (and you are [usually] not expected to work alongside any internship/vacation scheme), being paid for the Summer Internship Programme was very useful. This was especially helpful for the payment of my Air BnB whilst staying in Leeds. Furthermore, DLA Piper have been very prompt and generous in reimbursing expenses.

There were constant opportunities to meet and network other employees at the firm. This ranged from more formal events such as a dinner during the induction with Partners from the firm, to office drinks. In addition, we were actively encouraged throughout the internship to stop and speak to as many people as possible (which I very much enjoyed).

A lot of fun. I gained the pleasure of meeting some truly wonderful, interesting and inspirational individuals, during some incredibly unique events (we really were spoilt during the scheme)! In addition, there were more innovative forms of networking, such as the daily group insight sessions (video conferences) we would have with the interns from every other UK office and Hong Kong, where we would hear from, and question, some extremely senior members from DLA Piper.

Yes. There is such a wonderful range of extra-curricular activities for people to get involved in within DLA Piper, ranging from sports such as football, netball and tag rugby, to more artistic activities such as choral singing. For instance, there is also an inter-office choir competition that is held within the DLA Piper community each year, which does sound like a lot of fun!

Most definitely. I have already been telling my friends interested in a career in commercial law to begin researching DLA Piper in greater depth and to apply once the application cycle begins again. It is such a unique experience in being a truly global scheme, in also being held in Hong Kong and Australia (hence being named an 'internship' instead of a vacation scheme).