Summer Internship Review
at DLA Piper
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
Manchester
Review Submitted: September 2023
Overall Rating
5 /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
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Overview of Experience
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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Company Culture
5/5
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Overall Experience
5/5
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Recommendations and Advice
Overview of Experience
Please give an overview of the insight and what was involved on a day-to-day basis.
For the first week all interns from all the offices spent time in the DLA Piper London office. We were given talks by senior employees, partners and heads of the firm to give us a taste of the core values and operation of the firm. There were some interactive activities including a litigation simulation which I really enjoyed. On some of the evenings we were taken out for dinner and encouraged to network with one another.
The second 2 weeks involved 2x1 week rotations with two separate seats in the firm. We were given a supervisor and a team to work closely with, who gave us tasks and feedback.
The second 2 weeks involved 2x1 week rotations with two separate seats in the firm. We were given a supervisor and a team to work closely with, who gave us tasks and feedback.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
I felt as though the firm was pretty transparent with us about the operation of the business, however it was unclear how many interns they were taking on for training contracts which was at times frustrating.
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?
The three weeks really gave us a good chance to practice networking and people skills, as we were constantly meeting new people. I also feel like I developed the skill of asking questions - making sure the questions asked were concise, well considered and at appropriate times.
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?
5/5
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?
DLA Piper made it very clear that their importance of hiring “people persons” is not just lip service. Everyone I met was really kind, interesting and interested and took the time to help whenever possible. I particularly found the atmosphere in the Manchester office to be great. Whilst the firm is so vast, being at the office felt like a manageable size due to the kindness and familiarity of trainees all the way up to partner.
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?
I really enjoyed my 3 weeks at DLA. Whilst it was high pressure and exhausting at times (due to the competitive nature), I enjoyed the challenge and felt as though the firm gave us a really fun whilst realistic taste of the firm.
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
I was worried I wouldn’t be the most well-experienced, or academic enough student to get the internship, however it is made obvious through the application process that they are looking for well rounded individuals. I really tried to get across my people skills and my genuine enthusiasm about the firm and I think this transpired well. I think they want to see a genuine applicant rather than someone who has learnt the website off by heart.
