Summer Intern Review

Loved it - there were over 70 of us during the first week (induction) of the scheme which meant that we got to know individuals from all the 7 offices in the UK. The second two weeks we worked in our regional offices which was insightful as to what working at DLA as an actual trainee would be like.

Felt like a typical intern - doing small tasks and just checking over documents. The research tasks were not law specific so you didn't need to have a law degree to do them - the firm also give you access to westlaw and PLC which is important to do the work.

My two supervisors were amazing, they were really helpful and all the tasks I did were really interesting, and whenever I was stuck all I did was ask and they were really understanding and supportive. Some of graduate recruitment are really intimidating and not approachable, but all the current first year trainees were available to ask questions.

I was trusted to do some drafting which was really helpful because I had never done this before and I was able to learn from my mistakes which will help when I join as a trainee. I was also able to listen to client calls which was interesting and informative.

Too structured - the induction week was insightful but it was very similar talks from very important individuals within the firm. In the two following weeks there were talks every day which was too intensive and we were all sick of them by the end.

Despite being a huge firm, it was friendly and welcoming. Everyone made an effort with us interns and really accommodated for all our different stages in life. As there were so many of us on the scheme you are always going for coffees and meals or having lunch together which is nice.

The firm paid for everything - it took of a lot of pressure and meant we were able to get to know each other without worrying about price. There was a training session each day for 2 weeks which was too intensive and by the end no one was taking anything in.

It was nice to just shadow trainees and actually see their day to day tasks as realistically this is what you will be doing when you join. In the induction week it was nice to hear from very senior individuals but by the end of the week it was repetitive and its not as relevant because you want to know the day to day of a trainee, not the international head of corporate etc.

Everyone fitted in really well within their teams and departments, which was nice to be invited to trainee lunches etc as it shows you how it would be when you join.

Incredible - I have accepted a TC and loved my three weeks. I couldn't think of another firm to train with.

Yes! We were invited to watch football with the trainees and went out for meals with the associates in our department.

Within the scheme itself there were no timetabled socials that didn't involve very senior partners which was very annoying - there were no chances to get to know each other on an impersonal basis, something which the trainees picked up on too. It would have been nice to get to know each other without senior partners always involved.

Yes - there is social groups, and everyone is very active and get together often.

Yes - the firm itself is welcoming and friendly. A thing to bare in mind is that graduate recruitment do not give you a timetable until the first day, and there are some late evenings which are compulsory. Some of graduate recruitment are very intimidating and not welcoming at all, which is a shame because this is not how the firm is overall.