Graduate Recruitment
Meet our people
Paddy Dwyer - Solicitor
Intellectual property and technology
Law, Liverpool University
When did you join DLA Piper?
I joined DLA Piper as a trainee in August 2007 after studying law at Liverpool University and Chester College of law. I have just qualified into the intellectual property and technology team.
What have you found to be most challenging so far?
Moving between seats. As your knowledge grows during your time in each department you become much more confident (and hopefully competent) but each time you change seats you find that you feel like you are back to square one!
What’s the social life like?
It couldn't be better. There are internal events, client events and events organised by other professional firms and professional bodies (such as the Junior Lawyers Division). On top of this, because trainees become so close during the training contract, more often than not there is something to do every week.
How much support have you received?
Again, the level of support could not be bettered. Sharing a room with your supervisor is a great help. Everybody across the office is very friendly and approachable and everyone will make time to help you out when needed.
What’s the best thing about the city you live in?
The people. Although I may be biased having been born and raised here. But I genuinely think you would not find a friendlier populace than in Liverpool.
Have you/will you get involved in community work?
I spent twelve months as a committee member of the Merseyside Junior Lawyers' Division (JLD). This provided great opportunities to meet other professionals. The JLD also serves the junior legal professional in the local community by providing educational causes and social activities.
Best/worst moments?
This is a difficult question to answer. There have been too many social events to rank any particular one as a highlight (or low light depending on how the night went!). So I would say that my best moment was being involved in a lengthy contract negotiation in London. It was exciting to be in the thick of the action and I was given a fair amount of responsibility which was pleasantly surprising given that I had assumed trainees would not be involved to such a high level.
As for my worst moment, it was probably taking home what I assumed to be a training file (as it was given to me to 'read through') only to get a phone call from an equity partner to say he needed it for a meeting the next day. I had to drive back to the office to give it back! Needless to say it's not a mistake I have made twice!
