Vacation Scheme Intern Review

For week 1, the main day-to-day schedule involved networking with other interns and making friends. This was done at the firm, but at lovely restaurants that the firm paid for. Speakers from DLA also came in and gave insightful talks on what their career journey looked like and why they chose DLA. We then had the opportunity to ask questions. Weeks 2 and 3 were done in the office you applied to have you training contract in. This involved practical and real work. The fellow lawyers were a friendly and great support. I would create my own schedule according to the task I knew needed to be done. I had the time to have coffee socials with the people in DLA too. Similarly, the interns and trainees would have fun socials in the evening to get to know each other in a more relaxed environment. The 3 weeks were challenging, insightful, very enjoyable, and successful.

It is insane how quickly you can learn new legal concepts when seeing how they are needed in real life scenarios and when your colleagues teach and support you. I learnt things such as change of control, Relevant Legal Entity, and more in corporate law. In IPT, I learnt how to check contracts and ensure the contract reflect the needs of your client in an advantageous way. My social skills also developed, as well as my ability to work hard. The experience showed me that I am better than what I think I am! On par with that, the vac scheme also taught the interns useful tools for believing in ourselves when imposter syndrome kicks in.

Great - the partners and lawyers were always approachable and happy to have a coffee with you to answer any of your questions. DLA also ran an online event to celebrate recent lawyers who had made partner and to allow the firm to ask them questions on how they found the process.

Truly friendly, supportive and collaborative.

A lot! It was tiring at time, but that was all a part of the experience. There were great events to have fun and great events to really get an insight into the life of a lawyer. I would highly recommend doing a vac scheme with DLA Piper.

Yes

Worry less and enjoy more. Ask lots of questions and support others on the vac scheme. DLA are not a 'I'm going to win for me' firm, they are a 'we are one' type of firm.