DLA Piper Vacation Scheme (Manchester Office) 2025

What was the full recruitment process?

1. Application with two questions

2. Psychometric test: Watson Glaser

3. Video interview

4. Assessment centre

Which aspect does this report cover?

Summer internship (vacation scheme) assessment centre

What did the assessment centre involve?

1. Group exercise: group discussion (10 minutes to read, 30 minutes to discuss in a group, monitored by 2 legal directors and 1 member of Graduate Recruitment).

2. General interview: my interview was strengths-based and the partner just read prescribed questions from a list. The questions also involved motivation questions and career awareness questions (1 hour with a partner)

3. Case study reading and preparation (~ 20 minutes).

4. Case study presentation and questions: (15 minutes to present, and 10 minutes of questions from, with 1 partner).

Group exercise

Format

I was placed in a group of five and given an information pack that had 5 different proposals for how the firm can improve its ESG efforts. The graduate recruitment read out the instructions and gave information on our client’s aims.

We each read the different options for 10 minutes.

Following this, we had a 30-minute group discussion which was monitored by the legal directors and the graduate recruitment. We each gave our opinions on which method would rank the highest and saw if we could come to unanimous agreement. The graduate recruitment team also introduced 2 new options in the middle of the group discussion to test how you can adapt. It may take a while to discuss these options so ensure someone is keeping track of time as there is no clock in the room.

Advice

• Address group members by their names – they will have name boards in front of them.
• Make sure you have something to say (you do not want to be silent); however, be careful not to talk too much as you may come across as controlling.
• Complement other team members and praise good ideas.

General interview

Strengths based questions (they will mention in the email before the assessment centre if it will be strengths-based)

• How does showing initiative contribute to your success as a lawyer?
• Tell me about a time you demonstrated attention to detail?
• How do you keep yourself motivated?

Motivation questions

I was asked questions designed to test my motivation for a career in commercial law and DLA Piper specifically, including:

• Why commercial law?
• Why DLA Piper?

Career awareness questions

They also asked questions to test if I knew what the role of a trainee was and associated challenges.

• What are the challenges of working in an international firm?
• How important do you think it is to maintain the highest standard of work?

Case study

I was taken into a meeting room and given a bundle of documents (including emails with the partner, lease documents, and client information). I had a blank booklet to write notes for my presentation and had 20 minutes to prepare.

I was told when the timer started but as there was no clock in the room (so ensure you are timing yourself).

Task

The case study involved a client who wanted to expand his company and wanted the firm’s advice. I was asked to consider what is important when a client wants to expand operations and what issues may need to be considered. There was a lease document that you also had to consider.

Presentation

I started my presentation with an introduction of the task, then dealt with each issue to be considered making sure I specifically referred to the bundle of documents where I could. It is important to have a stance and say what you believe will be good for the client. Lastly, it is important you do not rush and finish too early (time yourself) as you are expected to use up most of the 15 minutes.

Follow up questions

Most of the follow up questions assessed your ability to reflect on your own presentation and critique it. I was asked what I think I could have done better in the presentation and what I found difficult.

My advice for this:

• The preparation time is ample, so make sure you balance out the reading and notetaking.
• Look out for red-herrings in the documents (try to read every sentence carefully) as there will be specific things they expect you to pick up on.
• Time management was the hardest thing for me (i.e. ensuring I paced myself during the presentation to fill out the allotted time).

What was the outcome?

I received a phone call the morning after my assessment centre to inform me I had been successful.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?

• Try to show personality in your interview and build rapport with the interviewer by asking questions.
• Practice your time management as it is vital during this assessment centre.
• Be confident and try to speak during the group exercise.
• Ensure you know what the role of a trainee would be as you will be assessed on this in both the partner interview and case study.

DLA Piper Vacation Scheme (London office) - 2024 

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application: I was fast-tracked to the assessment centre stage following my attendance at the firm’s first-year programme, so bypassed the application process (I only needed to send an updated CV).

2. Psychometric test: Watson Glaser

3. Video interview

3. Assessment centre 

4. Internship

5. Post-internship interview

Which aspect does this report cover?

Summer internship (vacation scheme) assessment centre 

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

The firm’s London office

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. General interview: competency, motivation and commercial awareness/situational judgement questions (~1 hour with 1 partner)

2. Case study reading and preparation (20 minutes)

3. Case study presentation and questions (~10 minutes to present to, and 15 minutes of questions from, 1 partner)

4. Group exercise: group discussion (10 minutes of reading time, 30 minutes to discuss in a group, monitored by 3 partners and 1 member of Graduate Recruitment).

General interview

Competency questions 

I was asked a range of questions about my previous experiences and the skills I had developed as a result, including:

• Tell me about a time you have shown leadership.
• Tell me about a time where you have shown initiative.
• When have you worked in a team?

Motivation questions 

I was also asked questions designed to test my motivation for pursuing a career in commercial law, and for wanting to work at DLA Piper in particular, including:

• Why commercial law?
• Why DLA Piper?
• How will the DLA Piper International Training Programme benefit you?
• How would you make the most of DLA Piper’s Summer Internship?

Career awareness and scenario-based questions 

The bulk of the interview was dedicated to career awareness questions which aimed to test my understanding of a career in commercial law, including:

• How do you keep commercially aware?
• You are leaving the office and you see a colleague struggling with a task, what would you do?
• What are the challenges of being a trainee?
• What teams would advise on a certain transaction?

Case study 

I was initially taken to a meeting room and given a bundle of documents (including an email between the company and the partner), a task sheet setting out questions and instructions, and a blank timetable to fill out/booklet to write in. I had 20 minutes to read the bundle, prepare my answers, and structure my presentation.

I was told my start time and end time, but there was no clock in view in the room (I’m not sure whether this was deliberate), so I had to use my watch to keep track of time.

Task

This task centred on a client who planned to expand its operations and needed the firm’s assistance. I was asked to structure my weekly schedule based on the instructions the client gave me and also prioritise certain tasks based on information in the booklet. Additionally, I was asked to advise on any risks that needed to be flagged and offer my thoughts on the expansion. In total, I was given 20 minutes to prepare for the 10-minute presentation, so timekeeping was definitely a challenge. 

Presentation

I started my presentation with an introduction, then dealt with each point in turn, making sure I referenced supporting documents where possible. I tried to give an opinion or take a stance in relation to each question I had been asked to cover. I also tried to explain concepts in an accessible way, without complex legal jargon, as the partner was playing the role of a fictional client. Finally, I made sure I built in enough time to present a conclusion that summarised my points.

Follow-up questions

There were several follow up questions, which were quite specific to the content of my presentation. I was challenged about the way in which I structured my week and asked if there was a better method of doing this. I was asked about whether the firm should prioritise ensuring a positive work-life balance or focus on excelling beyond the competition.

My advice for this:

• Do your research on the role of a trainee and understand how trainees manage their time effectively.
• Make sure your answers have a clear structure, walk the interviewer through your thought process/how you reached your conclusions, and be prepared fight your corner when challenged (unless the interviewer points out something that you got objectively wrong).
• Link back to the bundle of documents where possible. Given that this is a case study, you should be applying your thoughts to the facts (so don’t lose sight of that).
• Given that you have very little time to prepare for the presentation, try and balance your time between reading and taking notes.

Group exercise

Format

I was placed in a group of five for this task. Graduate recruitment introduced us to the task, read out short instructions, and provided us with an information pack that was 3-4 pages long. This included information on a client and methods in which it can improve its ESG standing in a cost-effective manner.

We were each given different options and 10 minutes to go through these. 

Next, we had a 30 minute group discussion which was monitored by 3 partners and 1 member of the recruitment team. We each presented our individual options to the group, then collectively decided which ideas to move forward with based on cost/benefit analysis. It took quite a long time to discuss the options, so make sure someone keeps track of time (as there was no clock in the room). Once we had agreed on an option, the group exercise ended.

Advice

• Involve and engage with all group members when speaking, for example by making eye contact with everyone and addressing people by their names.
• Complement others’ ideas and try to encourage quieter team members to speak.
• Make sure you contribute in some way (you really don’t want to be the silent one).
• Monitor time, and be willing to intervene and speed up the group if time is running out.

What was the outcome?                                                  

I received an offer by phone the morning after my assessment centre.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?                                                       

• Know your key experiences well, and ensure you have a broad range of examples to hand to help demonstrate your skills.
• Spend some time thinking about your strengths and how you can demonstrate them.
• Learn about trainee life in advance, including what trainees do. This is really important for both the case study and partner interview, I would advise using the Commercial Law Academy to do this.
• Practice working in a group and also get comfortable with timed conditions.
• Be confident; it is really important to try and not let nerves get in the way. 
• Make sure you understand and can confidently articulate your motivation for wanting to work as a commercial lawyer and, more specifically, at DLA Piper.
• Try to build a rapport with your interviewers by showing personality, communicating professionally, asking insightful questions, and seeming genuinely interested.

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application

2. Telephone interview

3. First year scheme

Which aspect does this report cover?

Telephone interview

Where did the interview take place?            

Via telephone

What questions were you asked?

• Why DLA Piper?
• Why law?
• Which activities were you involved in outside of your academics?
• How do you organise your time?
• When have you previously had to work in a team?

What was the outcome?                                                  

I received an email 3 weeks later to inform me that I had been successful.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?

Make sure you adopt a strong structure for your answers and speak clearly. Also carry out detailed research into the firm to support your answer to “Why DLA Piper?”.

DLA Piper Vacation Scheme (London office) - November 2021 

What was the full recruitment process?         

1. Application: although I was fast-tracked to this stage following my place on the firm’s first-year programme, so bypassed the application process (I only needed to send an updated CV).

2. Psychometric test: Watson Glaser

3. Assessment centre 

4. Internship

5. Post-internship interview

Which aspect does this report cover?

Vacation scheme assessment centre 

Where did the assessment centre take place?            

Manchester office (there were people applying to various UK offices on the day).

What did the assessment centre involve?      

1. Strengths-based interview: competency, motivation and career awareness questions (~35 minutes with 1 partner)

2. Case study reading and preparation (1 hour)

3. Case study presentation and questions (~35 minutes with 1 partner)

4. Group exercise: group discussion and presentation (20 minutes reading time, 25 minute group discussion, 5-10 minute presentation to 3 partners and a member of graduate recruitment)

Strengths-based interview

Competency questions 

I was asked a range of questions about my previous experiences and the skills I had developed as a result, including:

• Tell me about yourself, what are your hobbies?
• What are your biggest strengths?
• Are you more of a team player or a leader?
• How do you manage your time?
• Biggest achievement?

Motivation questions 

I was also asked questions designed to test my motivation for pursuing a career in commercial law, and for wanting to work at DLA Piper in particular, including:

• Why law?
• Why DLA?

I was also asked what I thought would be a potential challenge when working as a trainee.

Case study 

I was initially taken to a meeting room and given a bundle of documents, a task sheet setting out questions and instructions, and a blank booklet to write in. I had 1 hour to read the bundle, prepare my answers, and structure my presentation.

I was told my start time and end time, but there was no clock in view in the room (I’m not sure whether this was deliberate), so I had to use the phone in the room to keep track of time.

Task

This task centred on a parent company with a group of subsidiaries, one of which had descended into financial difficulties. The bundle provided included financial statements, a proposed commercial solution (including details around its potential impact), a corporate structure diagram, emails between key people, and a few other snippets of information. This planning element of the task didn’t feel particularly time pressured.

Presentation

The presentation mainly involved evaluating the proposed commercial solution and its potential implications, and forming an opinion as to whether the solution should be pursued, as well as commenting on certain aspects such as different financing options (i.e. debt vs. equity) and dealing with laying off employees. I also needed to reflect on how the firm could help.

I started my presentation with an introduction, then dealt with each point in turn, making sure I referenced supporting documents where possible (including financial statements, where relevant). I tried to give an opinion or take a stance in relation to each question I had been asked to cover. I also tried to explain concepts in an accessible way, without complex legal jargon, as the partner was playing the role of a fictional client. Finally, I made sure I built in enough time to present a conclusion that summarised my points.

Follow-up questions

There were several follow up questions, which were quite specific to the content of my presentation. I was challenged on my reasons for making certain assertions: for example, when asked about ways to save money, I suggested shutting down branches of the business that were costly and not very profitable. As a result, my interviewer raised various employment law implications and asked how I would deal with the potential PR risks that can arise when laying off employees. When I subsequently suggested offering slightly enhanced financial severance packages to combat this risk, I was challenged on the basis that the company was in financial difficulties. Luckily I had noticed that there was a good amount of cash left on the balance sheet which could cover the cost, so I referenced this. It can help to explain your thought process throughout.

Advice

Although the questions I was asked were quite niche, I would recommend having a general grasp on what the financial

• Do your research into DLA Piper. This task offers a good chance to show your research by explaining how the firm’s practice areas could help the client in the scenario, and identifying the firm’s USPs.
• Make sure your answers have a clear structure, walk the interviewer through your thought process/how you reached your conclusions, and be prepared fight your corner when challenged (unless the interviewer points out something that you got objectively wrong).
• Link back to the bundle of documents where possible. Given that this is a case study, you should be applying the facts (so don’t lose sight of that).

Group exercise

Format

I was placed in a group of six for this task. Graduate recruitment introduced us to the task, read out short instructions, and provided us with an information pack that was 3-4 pages long. This included information on DLA Piper’s legal technology-related initiatives and how aspects of the firm’s offering benefits clients.

We then had 20 minutes (individually) to think about gaps in the firm’s legal technology solutions and consider new ideas or technology products that DLA Piper could develop or adopt to help its clients.

Next, we had a 25 minute group discussion, during which we each presented our individual ideas to the team, then collectively decided which idea to move forward with. We then explored the chosen idea further and briefly planned a presentation. My group decided to combine two of the ideas raised, and reached the decision relatively quickly, which gave us more time to develop the idea and plan the presentation. Finally, we presented the idea to 3 partners and a member of graduate recruitment (each group member took a section of the presentation).

Advice

• Involve and engage with all group members when speaking, for example by making eye contact with everyone and addressing people by their names.
• Complement others’ ideas and try to encourage quieter team members to speak.
• Make sure you contribute in some way (you really don’t want to be the silent one).
• When presenting, engage with your assessors. Look at them whilst speaking, project your voice, and don’t speak in a monotone.
• The group exercise can provide a good opportunity to bring in firm knowledge and commercial awareness, so research the firm and legal technology in advance.

What was the outcome?                                                  

I received an offer by phone on the evening of my assessment centre.

Do you have any specific advice on how to prepare?                                                       

• Know your key experiences well, and ensure you have a broad range of examples to hand to help demonstrate your skills.
• Spend some time thinking about your strengths and how you can demonstrate them if asked.
• Learn about trainee life in advance, including what trainees do.
• Make sure you understand and can confidently articulate your motivation for wanting to work as a commercial lawyer and, more specifically, at DLA Piper.
• Try to build a rapport with your interviewers by showing personality, communicating professionally, asking questions, and seeming genuinely interested.