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
General interview
Strengths based questions (they will mention in the email before the assessment centre if it will be strengths-based)
Motivation questions
I was asked questions designed to test my motivation for a career in commercial law and DLA Piper specifically, including:
Career awareness questions
They also asked questions to test if I knew what the role of a trainee was and associated challenges.
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:
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?
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:
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:
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:
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:
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
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?
DLA Piper First Year Scheme - February 2023
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?
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:
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:
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
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
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?