Graduate Recruitment
Birmingham
1. Meeting room
The Birmingham office is famous for its Mars bar cake. The recipe is a closely guarded trade secret, although it is suspected that it may contain Mars bars. It is the envy of other offices who yearn for its artery-clogging deliciousness.
2. Office view
Birmingham is not often described as an attractive city, however you can see that it is. The DLA Piper office has an enviable view, looking out onto Victoria Square, in a great central location overlooking the 'Floozie in the Jacuzzi'. Did you know that Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice?
3. Knowledge Management (KM)
Each office has its own Knowledge Management (KM) centre. KM manage the office’s law reports, journals and newspapers and will help you with your research. You can log on to any computer on the DLA Piper network if you're working away from your home office.
4. Café
The Birmingham office doesn't have a subsidised canteen like a lot of other offices and therefore offers free breakfast in the café until 8.45am. A selection of cereal, toast and fruit is available – it's a good way to get you fuelled up for a day of busy lawyering.
5. Reprographics
Every office has reprographics and facilities departments. Large scale photocopying, binding, etc is done by reprographics so you can spend your training contract doing actual legal work. Facilities teams deliver post, photocopying etc to your desk and will help you arrange archiving, special deliveries and couriers. These teams are the unsung heroes of DLA Piper and they are definitely the people you need to be nice to!
6. Contact details
DLA Piper UK LLP
Victoria Square House
Victoria Square
Birmingham B2 4DL
T: 08700 111 111
Edinburgh
1. Facade
The Edinburgh office is located in a stunning building in Rutland Square which mixes modern with traditional architecture.
2. Atrium
The glass atrium of the office means it gets flooded with natural light. We were going to write something about enabling blue sky thinking or that the sky is the limit but that would seem a bit obvious..!
3. Staircase
The Edinburgh office regularly hosts a trainee Burns' Night where trainees from across DLA Piper get together to catch up, enjoy some real Scottish fare (and celebrate Robert Burns of course!). More often than not a photo of everyone in their finery is taken on the staircase.
4. Knowledge Management (KM)
Each office has its own Knowledge Management Centre where you can read industry journals, feel like you're back at law school by reading the law reports or log onto your email if you're visiting from another office. Here the area links into reception and has fantastic views out onto Rutland Square.
5. Games room
The games room is available for people to relax in. Social events are often arranged and nights will start off here with a healthy dose of competitive darts playing!
6. Contact details
Scotland is, in practice, a separate legal jurisdiction requiring in many instances locally led legal advice. It is strategically important to our UK business and our continental European, Asian and US offices because many of our non-Scottish clients have business interests here. Through our Edinburgh and Glasgow offices, we offer full service advice to all businesses whether locally or internationally based.
If you secure a traineeship in our Scottish offices then you will, most likely, do seats in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. As the offices work so closely together this is essential in enabling you to gain a full understanding of the work undertaken in both locations. If you do not want to move your accommodation from one city to another for six months, the firm will cover the cost of a season ticket between the two cities.
DLA Piper Scotland LLP
Rutland Square
Edinburgh EH1 2AA
T: 08700 111 111
Glasgow
1. Reception
The Glasgow office mixes modern art pieces into the office to give it a fresh and bright look. The reception teams in each office help you to book meetings, arrange seminars and training. If you are invited to an interview they'll also be the friendly faces to greet you on the day.
2. Meeting Room
Training is taken very seriously at DLA Piper and during your traineeship you will attend compulsory Professional Competency Course training as well as numerous departmental training days. Our commitment to excellent training means our trainees qualify as well rounded and informed newly qualified solicitors.
3. Seating Area
On the top floor there is a social area with a TV showing the news throughout the day. It's a great place to relax with colleagues and see who has managed to stay sharpest with a pool cue!
4. Meeting
As a trainee you will have two reviews per seat with your supervisor to check on the progress you are making. It is important to receive regular feedback throughout your seats, so catch-up meetings outside of these official reviews are also encouraged.
5. Contact details
The Glasgow office is located on West George Street. The office itself is famous for the finest bacon rolls in the UK (TM pending)!! Scotland is, in practice, a separate legal jurisdiction requiring in many instances locally led legal advice. It is strategically important to our UK business and our continental European, Asian and US offices because many of our non-Scottish clients have business interests here. Through our Edinburgh and Glasgow offices, we offer full service advice to all businesses whether locally or internationally based.
If you secure a traineeship in our Scottish offices then you will, most likely, do seats in both Glasgow and Edinburgh. As the offices work so closely together this is essential in enabling you to gain a full understanding of the work done in both locations. If you do not want to move your accommodation from one city to another for six months, the firm will cover the cost of a season ticket between the two cities.
DLA Piper Scotland LLP
249 West George Street
Glasgow G2 4RB
T: 08700 111 111
Leeds
1. Outside
The Leeds office is situated next to Leeds train station, which makes it very easy to find. The views from the top floor meeting rooms look right across Yorkshire. The iconic shape means you'll often find photography students lying on the pavement outside trying to get 'the perfect shot.
2. Café
The canteen in Leeds sells 'Starbucks' brewed coffee at a reduced rate (and without a long walk). As well as subsidised coffee, you can also grab a sandwich or a hot meal.
3. Knowledge Management (KM)
Each office has its own Knowledge Management (KM) centre. KM manage the office’s law reports, journals and newspapers and will help you when doing research. You can log on to any computer on the DLA Piper network if you're working away from your home office. Due to its shape, the Leeds KM centre is great at helping you become a well rounded lawyer!
4. Working floor
The glass fronted offices at DLA Piper Leeds mean working floors are really light and bright. It also ensures there is very much an open door policy in place and partners aren't shut off in private offices where nobody sees them. The offices help to create a good team environment where people know each other well.
5. Contact details
DLA Piper UK LLP
Princes Exchange Princes Square
Leeds LS1 4BY
T: 08700 111 111
Liverpool
1. Meeting room
DLA Piper in Liverpool has a long running relationship with The Tate, Liverpool and sponsors exhibitions and series there. The office has an artist in residence who provides beauty for our meeting rooms. This illustrates our commitment to the wider community around each office.
2. Communal area
The office has a great social network with the office Social Club arranging tickets for events, drinks evenings and much more. These allow you to meet fellow colleagues in a relaxed environment. The communal area pictured encourages people to sit and have a catch up in the office, or watch the footie when it's on (and, in Liverpool, football is a fairly popular pastime).
3. Work area
As a trainee you will most likely share an office with your supervisor. This allows them to closely supervise your work and provide you with guidance where necessary. It also means you can hear them on the phone to clients and other lawyers which will help to develop your understanding of skills such as how to negotiate and build relationships.
4. Inside India buildings
India Buildings has a beautiful art deco lobby with a number of shops along the ground floor. The building was actually used in the film 'The 51st State' featuring Samuel L Jackson and Robert Carlyle.
5. Contact details
DLA Piper UK LLP
India Buildings Water Street
Liverpool L2 0NH
T: 08700 111 111
London
1. Reception
Our London office is our largest in the UK. Situated next to an ancient Roman wall, a very modern reception area awaits the many visitors we welcome every year. This area offers lots of information for clients on the services the firm offers, as well as a refreshment station. There are televisions streaming news channels, so if you come in for an interview you can catch up on current events while you're waiting.
2. Meeting room
DLA Piper is committed to sustainability and reducing its impact on the environment. Our water bottles are filled with filtered water and then reused, rather than being thrown away. This significantly reduces the amount of waste produced. Each meeting room has conference call facilities which help to avoid unnecessary travel.
3. Document Production (DP)
DP provides essential support to the business. Amends can be made to documents and large-scale typing will be done by the team. They will also help produce PowerPoint documents, format spreadsheets, etc if you are a bit of a technophobe! DP is available 24hrs a day which means documents can be handed in before you leave for the evening and you'll get them back at a specified time the following day. Trainees often mention what a fantastic support service DP is, and feel it is one of the bonuses of working here.
4. View
The London office is situated between Barbican and St Paul's and a lot of famous London landmarks are within view. Its position shows our commitment to City work and servicing those clients who are based there. The roof terrace provides an area for client events and the dining rooms on the 11th floor offer private dining facilities for working lunches with clients. Each office has an in-house catering team so dinners and lunches can be arranged easily with a menu to suit your guests.
5. Contact details
DLA Piper UK LLP
3 Noble Street
London EC2V 7EE
T: 08700 111 111
Manchester
1. Reception
The Manchester office reception team is the first port of call for the many clients who use our office. These guests include some of the world’s biggest business names and we often handle headline grabbing work (such as the Zavvi restructuring deal). All of our regional offices deal with top quality projects and you would play your part in making them a success.
2. Canteen
The subsidised canteen provides a great meeting place for a catch up over lunch. Grab a hot meal or make your own salad pot and have a chat with friends or watch the latest news on the big screen. When Manchester United play, it's a bit harder to get a seat (although City fans might claim most of their fans are based in our London office).
3. Video conferencing
Each office has its own video conferencing facilities. With the technology we have access to, the need to travel for three hours for a one hour meeting is negated. Therefore both the environment, and the working days of those involved in the meetings benefit!
4. Contact details
DLA Piper UK LLP
101 Barbirolli Square Bridgewater
Manchester M2 3DL
T: 08700 111 111
Sheffield
1. Outside
Our Sheffield office is a brand new building in the recently redeveloped Peace Gardens in Sheffield city centre. DLA Piper's roots are in Sheffield and Sir Nigel Knowles, our CEO was a trainee here. The Sheffield office offers outstanding work to trainees and can be counted as the only truly global law firm in the city.
2. Roof terrace
Barbeques and drinks parties are held up on the roof terrace in Sheffield, for staff as well as for clients. The roof terrace has been the location for launches of charity events arranged by DLA Piper, for example our 'Lucky Bar' competition where one fortunate person won an all-inclusive trip to the Caribbean.
3. Work station
As a trainee you'll have your own workload which you'll need to learn to manage properly. A tidy and well ordered desk will help make this a lot easier. It will also help you stay out of trouble with your supervisor if they're particularly adverse to clutter.
4. Café
The office has a subsidised restaurant which is great for grabbing something quick that won’t break the bank. Trainees often meet up for lunch to have a catch up and plan the next night out.
5. Contact details
DLA Piper UK LLP
1 St Paul's Place
Sheffield S1 2JX
T: 08700 111 111
