Summer Intern Review
at DLA Piper
Insight / Vacation Scheme (< 4 Weeks)
Legal/Law
Leeds
Review Submitted: June 2024
Overall Rating
4.7 /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
4.5/5
-
Skills Development
4.5/5
-
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.
Completing tasks that trainee solicitors would commonly perform (eg drafting documents, researching and presenting information in a client-friendly manner, calling clients with enquiries, sitting in on meetings). Involved a lot of internal interaction (eg asking people questions about their job, meeting people from other departments). There was also a group presentation project, and we had to plan preparation for that around our other commitments, meeting as groups to go over the material and refine our scripts.
What was it like understanding all about the business and potential roles available?
The more I learned about the firm, the more excited I was about potentially being able to work there in the future. The firm's friendly and supportive nature is something that was stressed to us from the outset, and has been obvious to see from working there. Also, it has been exciting to hear about all of the unique opportunities at the firm (eg working on complex disputes that other firms simply don't have the capability to advise on).
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 two skills I have developed the most are: (1) Efficiently navigating complex legal documents; and (2) Presenting information in a concise, client-friendly manner. I have also developed my oral presentation and collaboration skills, through working on the group project (eg focusing on presenting my information clearly and concisely). Furthermore, I have learned a lot about how a law firm operates as a business, and the type of client issues it deals with on a regular basis.
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?
4/5
Please rate how the knowledge learned has helped you with regards to your career development
4/5
Company Culture
How would you rate business leader involvement during the insight
4/5
What was the company culture and general atmosphere like?
Very friendly - generally, people would have their office doors open and would be delighted to chat to you about anything. In fact, we were even actively encouraged to do this and talk to as many people in our department as we could. Similarly, people were always willing to help you; I was set work by a variety of different people during the internship, and they would always take the time to properly explain the work to you, and assist you with any difficulties you had with it.
How would you rate the inclusiveness of the culture?
5/5
How would you rate the networking opportunities?
4/5
Please rate how valued you felt during your insight?
5/5
Overall Experience
To what extent did you enjoy the insight?
I really enjoyed it - it confirmed to me that this is the sort of work I would like to do, and that I would like to do it in an environment like the firm's. Everyone I met, including the other interns, was really friendly and supportive, which made working in the office enjoyable. The work was challenging but rewarding, and I really felt like I was learning a lot with each task I completed and each piece of feedback I received.
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 and reimbursed expenses
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
Apply early, because the applications close on a rolling basis (but I think this is a good thing - DLA was the first firm I heard back from, and by beating other firms to offering internships, they maximise their chances of securing the best talent early). Aside from this, don't stress too much - they are judging your personality and whether you would fit in with their culture just as much (if not more) than they are judging your competence. So the best thing you can do is be relaxed and friendly.
