Graduate Recruitment
Meet our people
Adam Campbell - Associate
Restructuring
Law, Newcastle University
The first time I met anyone from DLA Piper was at a graduate recruitment event at Newcastle University. I was left with the impression that it's a firm whose people are at the core of its business and that it doesn't simply rely on historical reputation for its continued success. I was so impressed with the firm’s people and the strategic vision of what they wanted to achieve that I applied for a training contract and was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Leeds office. After completing my two-year training contract the opportunity to move to the restructuring practice in London arose and I grabbed it with both hands.
Leeds was, and is, a great city for commercial law. However, I was drawn to London which is, arguably, the biggest financial centre in the world. For example, when the banking crisis began in 2008 our restructuring team was excellently placed to take advantage of the exciting opportunities that started coming through the door. Being at DLA Piper, with the full service capacity and the extensive client relationships we have, means I’m getting exposure to high profile, complex transactions which is great for my career development.
You’re going to have to work hard if you join us, but that’s true of any top law firm. The mentality of our management has always been to keep pushing forward and seek to better what was achieved before. This same attitude is shown throughout the firm, from partners to solicitors. To be successful you have to put the hours in and sometimes that does mean working the occasional weekend and/or night. That's an inevitable part of the job (particularly with transactional work) but it’s not all that bad, particularly when you are in it together, working as a team, with your friends and colleagues. My experience is that DLA Piper is a true meritocracy. If you perform well, you will get noticed and rewarded for your efforts.
In London there's an incredible amount going on. You can socialise, make friends and do things you might not be able to do anywhere else in the world.
What keeps me at the firm is the same thing that attracted me – the people. You get a real sense of belonging here. In our London restructuring team we’re all great friends and very much act as a team both in and outside of work. That really is invaluable. Speaking to friends at other firms in London I’m not sure that you could find a similar atmosphere elsewhere. I’m very proud and happy to be where I am today and can’t imagine being anywhere else.
