DLA Piper Summer Intern UK Review

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the Summer Internship. The event was well-organised, and ensured that we left with a sense of the firm's true values. Inviting all the interns from the regional offices to take part in a four-day induction in London was a great way of reflecting how DLA Piper employees interact with each other across the offices in accordance with their One UK strategy. The Insight felt professional and I enjoyed being challenged by the work I was set within my practice areas. Nevertheless, we were also treated to meals out where we could socialise with the other interns and also get to know some of the partners better. It felt as though you were valued just as much for your personality as you were for your intellectual abilities.

Both the supervisors that I was allocated (and, indeed, everyone in each department) always went out of their way to make me feel as though the work I was doing was important to them. Be it a small research task or taking notes during a client meeting, you were always made to feel as though you were a valuable part of their team.

Both in London and in the Birmingham office, there was always someone willing to help you. The trainees went out of their way to make it known that if you were struggling with a task or you did not understand something, they were there to help. Similarly, I never felt as though I could not ask my supervisor to explain something to me again; the focus was on ensuring you produced the best work possible and they appreciated that we were often contending with the unknown!

The insight was planned impeccably and it was clear just how much time and effort the DLA Piper Graduate Recruitment Team had put into making the Summer Internship run as smoothly as possible, especially the first four days in London. At the beginning of the Internship, the interns were given a clear timetable of events so that we knew the structure of each day in advance. Throughout the induction, the team balanced insightful talks with interactive workshops, and they punctuated the day with plenty of breaks, during which we could socialise with the other interns.

Overall, the atmosphere was very positive. Most of the interns were enthusiastic and excited to experience first-hand what it is like to work in a successful global law firm. The Graduate Recruitment Team were very welcoming and their positivity ensured that everyone felt at ease. From my time at the Birmingham office, the atmosphere was one of friendliness; despite being very busy, most people made the effort to get to know you personally, and would often make time to check on you or have a chat.

Given the numerous opportunities we were given to chat to trainees and partners alike, I left with a really good sense of what it would be like working full-time in the firm; everyone was willing to give you realistic, honest answers to your questions. In the regional offices, the day was structured like any other working day, giving you a real sense of how your day might be structured and of working hours within the firm.

The four day induction in London was an especially useful method of communicating the firm's culture and ethics. For example, we had a brilliant interactive session on diversity within the firm with their Head of Diversity and Inclusion. Also, there were plenty of talks and workshops on DLA Piper's pro-bono initiatives; it was clear just how important such work was to the firm and to the individuals within it - it seemed to be something of which they were truly proud.

Overall, I was really impressed with how well DLA Piper takes care of their interns. Considering that they focus heavily on inclusivity within the firm, they ensured that everyone was placed on an equal footing by reimbursing travel expenses. Also, they catered for most meals and when they could not, they reimbursed our dining expenses.

Throughout the the Summer Internship, there were plenty of opportunities to meet employees across the firm. Both in London and the regional offices, we were taken out for meals with partners, and we were also given a voucher to meet with our trainee buddy for coffee. It was useful to get to know so many people across the firm in an informal, relaxed setting; it really felt like a chance to ask any questions you had on a one-to-one basis without feeling like you were being assessed.

I would undoubtedly recommend the DLA Piper Summer Internship to a friend. It is a brilliant way to gain an insight into the life of a trainee in a global law firm. Being able to sit in two practice areas throughout the programme made me aware of the skills that a trainee would be required to demonstrate on a day-to-day basis. The internship provided both formal and informal opportunities to meet employees at all levels within the firm, and I especially enjoyed the practice group insight sessions; using group conference calls was a brilliant way to reunite all of the interns across the offices to take part in interactive sessions. You are encouraged to push yourself throughout the internship, yet in a friendly and welcoming environment.