Meet our people

Ella Russell - Solicitor
Employment, pensions and benefits
Law, Sheffield University

Why did you join DLA Piper?

Several reasons. It has an excellent reputation for offering a well rounded training contract, with trainees being given a great deal of responsibility, and as an international firm, it offers the opportunity to work with other offices around the world. At regional, national and international levels the client base is significant. For me, the Sheffield office offered a great location, and whilst the firm genuinely offers full service international capabilities, at the same time it strives to fit in with its local community. There are fantastic and varied CSR opportunities.

Has the work been interesting so far?

Absolutely. There is no danger of monotony in the work given to trainees. The fee earners really try to expose trainees to a broad spectrum of work.

What have your hours been like?

Fairly steady in the first year, with increasing hours in the second year as my competence grew and I could handle more complex work. Generally I start the day at 8.30am and finish around 7.00pm, with the occasional late night two to three times a month.

How do you get on with the other trainees?

Fantastically well. Formal and informal social events are organised on an ongoing basis, and the camaraderie between the trainees in terms of supporting and encouraging each other is particularly motivating. There is no atmosphere of competitiveness as a trainee and there seems to be a genuine desire that we all help each other out.

How much client contact have you had?

Varied between each seat, with an excellent level of client contact in contentious seats. I frequently drafted correspondence in my own name to clients, and occasionally handled telephone conferences with clients unsupervised.

What advice would you give to someone applying to DLA Piper?

• Be friendly, honest and approachable.
• Be confident but not arrogant.
• Understand why you want to work at DLA Piper, and be able to explain this.
• Exploit your links with the area in which the office you apply to is based. A knowledge of local business for example will certainly assist.
• I had project managed a CSR event in the local community which consisted of building benches and habitat piles to assist a nearby nature reserve.
• Have a keen interest in both local and global business, and a strong awareness of current commercial issues which could impact upon clients.

Would you recommend the DLA Piper training experience to current students?

Definitely.

Best/worst moments

Best moments:

• Receiving personal emails of thanks directly from clients.
• Conducting files with minimal supervision and achieving positive results for the client, particularly in contentious matters.
• Attending the Burns night social held in the Edinburgh office with fellow trainees, and "blessing the haggis".
• Qualifying!

Worst moments:

• Occasional unexpected long hours, when plans for the evening may have already been made.
• Qualification process, and waiting to find out whether I would be working with DLA Piper at the end of my training contract.
• Waiting for feedback on work from senior partners!

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