Graduate Recruitment
Meet our people
Andy Stirk - Associate
Restructuring
Law, Newcastle University
I joined DLA Piper in 2001 after taking a year out to travel before starting my training contract – the firm was very supportive of that. Two years later I qualified into restructuring and have been there ever since.
Things have changed a lot in that time. Rather than being a top ten national law firm with a European presence, we are now one of the world’s largest firms. I also have so much more resource at my fingertips. For example, last year I was involved in a transaction which required input from our Ukraine, Australian, German and Dutch offices and I could simply call them and get an immediate answer. This means our clients are impressed with the speed at which we provide answers to their questions. That’s one of DLA Piper's biggest selling points.
I am originally from the Leeds area and never had a desire to work in London. I do not think my career has suffered because of that. I work in one of the best insolvency teams outside of London, so the work is first rate.
Even though you are working for an international law firm, you still get the culture of a local one. My main client contacts are principally based in Leeds and regional clients are core to all of our offices.
There are many opportunities at our firm. One of the key benefits in my experience is the support you receive for getting out there and meeting the clients. It takes time to build up these contacts but you are encouraged to meet them if you want to do this. It’s all very well sitting in your office doing the work you are given but it is best to get to know the clients and establish a rapport with them. That’s how you end up getting repeat work and making a name for yourself.
The firm continues to invest in you after you have qualified. In theory, you are a future partner of the firm and you will get the help and guidance you need to achieve this.
The experience you will get as a trainee at DLA Piper is second to none. The actual trainee support network is very good and the trainees get on very well and often socialise together.
As a trainee you are given every opportunity to show what you can do and you are not just an extra body to help with photocopying and putting bibles together. Of course, you may be expected to do some of that occasionally but we see that as a wasted resource.
In our team, trainees are treated as newly qualifieds, which puts them in an excellent position when they actually qualify because they have had more responsibility early on. Also our trainees can end up dealing with our colleagues in other countries and I don’t think any other firm in Leeds can give you that opportunity.
We are always pushing to achieve more at DLA Piper. Everyone works on the principle that you are only as good as your last job. It’s this attitude that will help us to make even more progress in the future as individuals and as a firm.
