Insight Programme Review

The Insight Programme spanned 3 days and each day consisted of talks, activities, and panels that provided an introduction to DLA Piper's practice groups, innovation in the legal sector, and global outlook. We had talks from senior professionals at the firm about their line of work. The activities included brainstorming sessions and simulations that provided an insight into the work involved in specific practice groups. The People Network and Trainee panels gave us an insight into the firm's culture and training contract respectively.

The Insight Programme helped me better my skills by allowing me to further develop my commercial awareness and refine my communication skills. Through the talks and activities, I was introduced to several new aspects of commercial law and business that helped increase my commercial awareness to a much higher level. I was able to refine my communication skills through the brainstorming and simulation sessions and during interactions with the firm's professionals as well as my fellow attendees.

The firm's professionals were direct and clear in their communication and answered any questions succinctly, which made understanding the business of the firm and career opportunities very easy. The talks were particularly insightful when learning about the business as we heard from those directly involved in managing the firm as a business. The Early Careers Team also held a talk and a workshop to inform us of the firm's Graduate Programme and application process.

DLA Piper has an incredibly collaborative, supportive, and accessible culture. Every professional at the firm is eager and happy to answer any questions and the general atmosphere is one of constant support. The People Networks panel highlighted this as we had the opportunity to see how the firm's professionals were able to bring their full identities to work proudly and without hesitation and this was incredibly inspiring. This panel also informed us about how enthusiastic the firm's professionals are to celebrate the different backgrounds and cultures of their colleagues.

I enjoyed the Insight Programme very much. I am very passionate about commercial law, and this Programme allowed me the opportunity to get a glimpse of the work done by a firm in the field I love. DLA Piper struck me as a firm that had values that deeply resonated with me, and I felt this throughout the programme. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about DLA Piper's work and its distinctive global outlook as well as how supportive the firm's people are.

Yes

I would advise prospective applicants to DLA Piper's Insight Programme to try to develop their commercial awareness to as high of a level as possible and to have a strong answer as to why they have applied to DLA Piper in specific, as this would be very important during the telephone interview. I would also advise them to refine their writing and communication skills as these skills are particularly useful during the different stages of the application.