DLA Piper Application

[MW110601]

I did an AC with them last year and was made a TC offer after the virtual scheme (didn't accept). Happy to provide some advice though!!

CV interview

To prepare for this part of the interview adequately, understand where DLA as a law firm is going, and reflect this in terms of what you want from your own career. I think the things they like to hear are about how well you can fit to their values, the work they do, and also the ‘One UK’ approach- people are often put off about DLA because of their regional presence, but this isn’t reflective of the work they do as each firm gets to work on the ‘cutting edge’ rather than what some firms do which is export their more mundane work to the regions. DLA also have SUCH a clear vision for their future in terms of being their clients’ trusted *business* advisors as well as their legal advisors. this shows that they’re keeping in line with how the legal profession is changing and thus offers a more holistic /commercial approach to training there compared to some very traditional law firms that limit themselves to providing legal advice and that’s it. If you refer to the firm’s collaborative and collegiate nature (I’ve never seen a firm more truthful when they say they’re collegiate) then also link in how you and the firm both value relationship building- most of DLA’s clients are long-term clients- this tells you a lot about the quality of the work the firm does and how they continually adapt their business to be able to respond to clients’ changing demands. A good example of this would be all the free resources they released for clients and generally anyone who fell across their website on pandemic support.

Also, know your CV inside out. Be prepared to be asked about your experiences at university- why did you choose your university? Why your degree? What has been your favourite module? They’ll also likely dig into your work experience and ask you to substantiate- I had a part-time job and the chap was a huge shopper at the store so we spent a good 10 mins just discussing why I chose to work there, how long I work, what I enjoy about it, and then linked to the competency questions, how I managed working up to 20 hours a week whilst maintaining a solid First. DLA like all-rounders so they’ll likely also bring up what you do in your spare time- be honest here and try to show a real passion for the stuff you do outside of study.

Generally just prepare for competency questions too. I did this by tying up competencies they look for with the values they hold. Try to use different examples for every question too and use the STAR structure. Be precise in how you express yourself too.

Group Exercise

Im not quite sure if this will be replicated via the online assessment centre but I’ll go through it anyway. You’re given a booklet of information about a company and there’s several tasks to go through. You’re given 15 mins ( I think) at the start, to just read and then there’s an hour ( I think) to work as a group to solve all the tasks. I don’t think there’s anything particular you can do to prep for this exercise and there’s not much commercial awareness required either. The purpose of the task is how you communicate with others, and how you go about the tasks.

Case study

Split your time 50/50. Use half an hour to read the case study material, and use the other half to prepare the presentation. Ensure you know *exactly* what the brief requires. They’re not looking for you to be comprehensive in identifying every issue, but more at whether you can assimilate that much information in a short period of time and adequately present on it.

I’d recommend structuring your presentation as following.

Introduction- outline what you’re going to discuss, show an awareness of who you are in the case study (i.e. you would speak a lot differently if you were speaking to a Partner as opposed to the client themselves), make a verbal note that there’s a lot more information that you could deal with, but you’re going to focus on the 3 most important aspects but that you’re happy to follow up on the subsidiary elements later.

Main body- in referring to the brief, address all the elements, justifying any premise you put forward with the case study material. Can't be more specific here as I know their case study changes yearly!

Conclusion- repeat what you outlined in your introduction, summarising your key advice and invite questions.

Good luck!!!!

That is amazing thank you so much for taking the time to help me! I'll definitely take on board everything you said and use this to help me prepare over the next few weeks

 

[Mea]

Hey guys, I sent in my application on the 17th but still have not received an invite to the WG. Is anyone else experiencing this as well? Should I reach out to graduate recruitment?

I submitted mine on 13 December and received WG on 18 December.

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Could someone please send me the VS application questions for DLA Piper? Looking to apply next year.

 

[Jaysen]

Could someone please send me the VS application questions for DLA Piper? Looking to apply next year.

I believe it's just:

Which business news story has interested you the most in the last 12 months and why? (Maximum 1500 characters / approximately 250 words)

 

[z0412]

Congratulations! I'm still waiting to hear back from DLA, but I'm currently prepping for an AC with clifford chance, so if you're interested we could form a study group to prep the commercial awareness stuff?

Hey! I'm not sure if you've created this or not already, but I'd love to join too!

 

[NikkiT]

Is anyone else still yet to hear back after the WG Test? And is it just an email that you receive?

 

[castrooo]

Is anyone else still yet to hear back after the WG Test? And is it just an email that you receive?

I applied in the same week they opened/completed the WG shortly after and I am still waiting to hear back I am expecting a rejection at this point

 

[NikkiT]

I applied in the same week they opened/completed the WG shortly after and I am still waiting to hear back I am expected a rejection at this point

Let's see - hopefully not!

 

[syw]

Have many people received AC offers bearing in mind its for Summer? I've only just submitted my WG. Not sure whether I left it too late in applying ahh.

 

[NikkiT]

Have many people received AC offers bearing in mind its for Summer? I've only just submitted my WG. Not sure whether I left it too late in applying ahh.

I think if they are still sending out WG tests then we should all hopefully be fine! Sometimes it's difficult to remember that there are so many applicants when you hear of people getting through to the next stages on here.

 

[IceFloe]

Just for anyone who's curious about their WG result for DLA Piper - I've emailed grad rec and they've confirmed they do not release scores.

 

[NikkiT]

Is anyone waiting to hear from DLA post WG test?

 

[castrooo]

Is anyone waiting to hear from DLA post WG test?

I am, I applied in the first week of October

 

[lawyer123]

Does anyone know if students applying for the first year insight scheme at DLA Piper need to do the WG as well?

I applied for it and no you don't - you just submit the application and then they make a decision

 

[law2021]

Hi everyone - I just signed into the DLA portal to review the information I submitted as part of my application. When I clicked on 'View Submission' I was directed to a summary of the application form, and I noticed that my answer to the commercial question and my education history appeared to be missing. Has anyone else noticed this? I'm now worried I submitted my application incorrectly!

 

[CallumJR]

Hi everyone - I just signed into the DLA portal to review the information I submitted as part of my application. When I clicked on 'View Submission' I was directed to a summary of the application form, and I noticed that my answer to the commercial question and my education history appeared to be missing. Has anyone else noticed this? I'm now worried I submitted my application incorrectly!

Do not worry this is normal! I had the same and messaged GR and they confirmed that they received my answers.

 

[Haz]

Hi everyone - I just signed into the DLA portal to review the information I submitted as part of my application. When I clicked on 'View Submission' I was directed to a summary of the application form, and I noticed that my answer to the commercial question and my education history appeared to be missing. Has anyone else noticed this? I'm now worried I submitted my application incorrectly!

I've just logged onto the portal, and it's the same for me! No education history or answer to the commercial question. I imagine it'll be the same for everyone so I wouldn't worry

 

[law2021]

Do not worry this is normal! I had the same and messaged GR and they confirmed that they received my answers.

I've just logged onto the portal, and it's the same for me! No education history or answer to the commercial question. I imagine it'll be the same for everyone so I wouldn't worry

Ahh! I can breathe again haha. Thank you both

 

[geographytolaw]

Received an invite to the DLA Piper AC today

 

[syw]

Received an invite to the DLA Piper AC today

Congrats! When did you submit your WG?