UK Insight Programme Participant Review

We were mostly given simulated (not 'real') work like commercial awareness research tasks, due diligence, drafting, and client advice tasks. After we submitted our work, a solicitor at the firm gave us advice/tips on how to improve our skills, but this was not individualised and was given to all 80-something participants as a whole. We were also invited to presentations and had the opportunity to pose questions to [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the Higherin Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] (Managing Director of UK and Europe).

There was a presentation by [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the Higherin Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] (Managing Director UK & Europe) and a few other solicitors about the business and their own roles and responsibilities within the firm, however, as a whole, the participants were not given a huge amount of information/comprehensive detail about all the potential roles available and the interconnections between them. Ms [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the Higherin Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] was great in articulating why she believed that DLA Piper as a business was special / stands out in comparison to other international law firms, which was very helpful.

I think I developed skills in researching about the commercial issues that may surround a deal or transaction, identifying key risks for a client, safeguarding the client's key interests in the documentation of a sale, and coming up with a succinct recommendation for the client and their business. However, I do not think that there was really an opportunity to develop these skills in extreme depth considering the virtual and simulated nature of the programme, which was a product of the COVID-19 situation.

The company culture and atmosphere were generally (professionally) friendly, although I never had the opportunity to actually step into the office because it was a virtual experience. Employees at the presentations/talks were very happy to answer questions and expand on answers. Unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to get involved in any of the social events and activities / voluntary initiatives at the firm during my insight programme, but I recall that one of the employees did talk about a diversity network during a talk.

I enjoyed the insight programme. I think it did provide me with a starting point for developing my understanding around DLA Piper as a business and my understanding as to how it is different from other international law firms out there. The fact that the work was all simulated meant that the quality of work given did not quite meet my expectations which was slightly disappointing, but I understand that it was perhaps unavoidable considering the pandemic conditions at the time. I felt that the team was friendly and the experience definitely did incentivise me to apply to the Summer Internship a few months later.

Yes