Vacation Scheme Intern Review
at DLA Piper
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
Manchester
Review Submitted: July 2023
Overall Rating
4.9 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Experience
4.8/5
-
Skills Development
5/5
-
Company Culture
5/5
-
Overall Experience
5/5
-
Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
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.
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.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
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.
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.
Please rate how insightful you found the insight
5/5
How would you rate the structure of the insight
5/5
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
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.
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.
How would you rate the training provided during your experience?
5/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around industry-specific skills during the experience?
4/5
How would you rate the knowledge learned around personal or professional skills during the experience?
5/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
5/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
5/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Truly friendly, supportive and collaborative.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
5/5
Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
5/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
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.
Please rate your level of enjoyment on the insight
5/5
Please rate how your experience met your expectations
5/5
Were you paid or reimbursed adequately for this experience?
I was paid
Recommendations and Advice
Please rate the future employment prospects at DLA Piper
5/5
Would you recommend DLA Piper to a friend?
Yes
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to DLA Piper
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.
